Press equipment

Abstract

Providing journal portions at both ends of the press roller may result in a complex structure of the press roller. [Solution] The press device (1) has a pair of belts (B1, B2) that sandwich and transport a workpiece (W), and a pair of press rollers (R1, R2) that are positioned between the pair of belts and apply a load to the workpiece via the pair of belts. At least one of the pair of press rollers has a hollow structure and rotates due to friction with the belts. The hollow press roller can be formed into a cylindrical shape.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a press device that presses a workpiece with a pair of press rollers. [Background technology]

[0002] A press device that presses a workpiece using a pair of press rollers is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Each press roller has a journal portion at each end in the direction of the rotation axis, and each press roller rotates when a driving force from a drive source is transmitted to the journal portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7015015 Publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When journal portions are provided at both ends of the press roller, the structure of the press roller may become complicated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The press device of the present invention includes a pair of belts that sandwich and transport a workpiece, and a pair of press rollers that are positioned between the pair of belts and apply a load to the workpiece via the pair of belts. At least one of the pair of press rollers has a hollow structure and rotates due to friction with the belt.

[0006] The press roller having a hollow structure can be formed into a cylindrical shape. The press device can also be provided with a pair of backup rollers and a drive mechanism. The pair of backup rollers contacts at least one of the pair of press rollers. The drive mechanism changes the distance between the pair of backup rollers by sliding the pair of backup rollers.

[0007] The drive mechanism can increase the pressing force of the pair of press rollers by narrowing the gap between the pair of backup rollers and displacing at least one of the press rollers, while the drive mechanism can decrease the pressing force of the pair of press rollers by widening the gap between the pair of backup rollers and displacing at least one of the press rollers.

[0008] A heater can be placed inside the hollow press roller. This allows the workpiece to be heated while being pressed. On the other hand, a heat exchange medium for cooling or heating can be supplied inside the hollow press roller. If a heat exchange medium for cooling is used, the workpiece can be cooled while being pressed, and if a heat exchange medium for heating is used, the workpiece can be heated while being pressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the press roller that applies a load to the workpiece rotates due to the frictional force with the belt, so there is no need to provide a journal portion on the press roller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a belt driving mechanism. [Figure 4]10 is a diagram showing the distribution of contact pressure according to the position in the rotation axis direction of the press roller for a hollow structure and a solid structure press roller. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a heater disposed inside a press roller. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing refrigerant piping arranged inside a press roller. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a reduction in press force due to an increase in the distance between a pair of backup rollers. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an increase in pressing force caused by narrowing the gap between a pair of backup rollers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A press device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a side view of the press device 1, and Fig. 2 is a front view of the press device 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow D1 in Fig. 1. The press device 1 is a device that applies a desired load to a workpiece W to press it. Examples of the workpiece W include metal composite materials, laminated products (CCL; Copper Clad Laminate), fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP; Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics, GFRP; Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics), functional films, and various boards.

[0012] The press device 1 has a pair of press rollers R1 and R2. Each of the press rollers R1 and R2 has a hollow structure. Here, each of the press rollers R1 and R2 may be formed in a shape (cylindrical shape) with both end faces in the rotation axis direction open, or may be formed in a shape with both end faces in the rotation axis direction closed.

[0013] A pair of belts B1 and B2 are disposed in the nip between the press rollers R1 and R2. The outer surface of belt B1 (the upper surface in FIG. 1) is in contact with the press roller R1, and the outer surface of belt B2 (the lower surface in FIG. 1) is in contact with the press roller R2. The inner surface of belt B1 (the lower surface in FIG. 1) and the inner surface of belt B2 (the upper surface in FIG. 1) face each other.

[0014] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the drive mechanism of the belts B1 and B2. The workpiece W is fed into one end of the belts B1 and B2 (left side in FIG. 3) and discharged from the other end of the belts B1 and B2 (right side in FIG. 3).

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, belt B1 is an endless belt that is stretched over a pair of pulleys P11 and P12. Here, pulley (drive pulley) P11 is connected to a drive source (not shown) and rotates by receiving driving force from the drive source. By rotating pulley P11, belt B1 can be moved in the direction of arrow D2, and pulley (driven pulley) P12 rotates in conjunction with the movement of belt B1.

[0016] The press roller R1 is pressed against the belt B1, so when the belt B1 moves, the friction between the belt B1 and the press roller R1 causes the press roller R1 to rotate. Here, the press roller R1 is not connected to a drive source and does not rotate on its own. This eliminates the need to provide journal portions at both ends of the press roller R1 in the direction of its rotation axis.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, belt B2 is an endless belt that is stretched over a pair of pulleys P21 and P22. Pulley (drive pulley) P21 is connected to a drive source (not shown) and rotates by receiving driving force from the drive source. By rotating pulley P21, belt B2 can be moved in the direction of arrow D3, and pulley (driven pulley) P22 rotates in conjunction with the movement of belt B2.

[0018] The press roller R2 is pressed against the belt B2, and as the belt B2 moves, the friction between the belt B2 and the press roller R2 causes the press roller R2 to rotate. However, the press roller R2 is not connected to a drive source and does not rotate on its own. This eliminates the need to provide journal portions at both ends of the press roller R2 in the direction of its rotation axis.

[0019] When moving the belts B1 and B2, it is preferable to synchronize the rotation of the pulleys P11 and P21. Here, if separate drive sources are connected to the pulleys P11 and P21, the rotation of the pulleys P11 and P21 can be synchronized by controlling the drive of the two drive sources. On the other hand, if the same drive source is connected to the pulleys P11 and P21, the power transmission mechanisms from the drive sources to the pulleys P11 and P21 can be the same, so that the rotation of the pulleys P11 and P21 can be synchronized simply by driving the drive source.

[0020] With the workpiece W sandwiched between the belts B1 and B2, a load from the press rollers R1 and R2 is applied to the workpiece W via the belts B1 and B2, thereby pressing the workpiece W. In the example shown in Fig. 1, three sets of press rollers R1 and R2 are lined up along the moving directions D2 and D3 of the belts B1 and B2, but the number of sets of press rollers R1 and R2 can be determined as appropriate.

[0021] 1, the press roller R1 is provided with a pressure adjustment mechanism 10, which adjusts the pressing force of the press roller R1 against the press roller R2 (in other words, the pressing force produced by the press rollers R1 and R2). The press roller R2 is provided with a support mechanism 20, which rotatably supports the press roller R2.

[0022] The configuration of the pressure adjustment mechanism 10 will be described below.

[0023] The pair of backup rollers 11 are in contact with the press roller R1 and rotate in response to the rotation of the press roller R1. Support members 12 rotatably support each backup roller 11, and the base end of the support member 12 is fixed to the underside of the movable member 13. A piston 15 and a guide member 16 of a cylinder unit 14 are connected to the upper surface of the movable member 13. The cylinder unit 14 is fixed to the first device body 30, and the piston 15 passes through the first device body 30. The guide member 16 passes through the first device body 30 and is movable along a through-hole formed in the first device body 30.

[0024] When the cylinder unit 14 is driven to push out the piston 15, the movable member 13 moves downward, causing the pair of backup rollers 11 to press the press roller R1 downward. This increases the pressing force of the press roller R1 against the press roller R2 (in other words, the pressing force produced by the press rollers R1 and R2). Here, the guide member 16 is used to maintain the position of the movable member 13 as it moves downward.

[0025] On the other hand, when the cylinder unit 14 is driven to retract the piston 15, the movable member 13 moves upward, thereby reducing the pressing force of the pair of backup rollers 11 against the press roller R1. This reduces the pressing force of the press roller R1 against the press roller R2 (in other words, the pressing force produced by the press rollers R1 and R2). Here, the guide member 16 is used to maintain the position of the movable member 13 when it moves upward.

[0026] As described above, the pressing force of the press rollers R1 and R2 can be adjusted by driving the cylinder unit 14. In the example shown in Fig. 1, three pressure adjustment mechanisms 10 are arranged, and the pressing forces of the press rollers R1 and R2 for the three pressure adjustment mechanisms 10 can be made equal to one another or different from one another.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the support mechanism 20 will be described.

[0028] The pair of backup rollers 21 are in contact with the press roller R2 and rotate in accordance with the rotation of the press roller R2. The support member 22 rotatably supports each backup roller 21, and the base end of the support member 22 is fixed to the second device body 40.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the press rollers R1 and R2 are rotated by the movement of the belts B1 and B2, so there is no need to provide journals at both ends of the press rollers R1 and R2 in the rotation axis direction, as is the case with a mechanism that rotates the press rollers by driving force from a drive source. This allows the press rollers R1 and R2 to have a simple structure.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the press rollers R1 and R2 have a hollow structure, the width of the nip portion of the press rollers R1 and R2 can be increased and the pressing force at the nip portion can be made uniform compared to when the press rollers R1 and R2 have a solid structure. Here, by making the press rollers R1 and R2 hollow, deformation (radial deformation) of the press rollers R1 and R2 can be tolerated, making it possible to increase the width of the nip portion and make the pressing force at the nip portion uniform. This allows the workpiece W to be pressed efficiently via the belts B1 and B2.

[0031] Figure 4 shows the analysis results showing the distribution of contact pressure when using a hollow press roller and a solid press roller. In Figure 4, the vertical axis represents contact pressure, and the horizontal axis represents the position in the rotational axis direction of the press roller, with the leftmost end of the horizontal axis corresponding to the center of the press roller in the rotational axis direction. As can be seen from Figure 4, with the hollow press roller, the contact pressure is uniform from the center toward the end of the press roller. On the other hand, with the solid press roller, the contact pressure increases from the center toward the end of the press roller, and the contact pressure is not uniform.

[0032] In this embodiment, both of the pair of press rollers R1 and R2 have a hollow structure, but this is not limited to this. Specifically, one of the pair of press rollers R1 and R2 may have a hollow structure and the other may have a solid structure. In this case, the journal portion may be omitted for the press roller (one) having a hollow structure. A journal portion is provided for the press roller having a solid structure.

[0033] The press rollers having a solid structure can be rotated in accordance with the movement of the belts B1 and B2, as in the present embodiment, or journal portions can be provided as in the conventional case, and the press rollers can be rotated by transmitting driving force to the journal portions. Also, in order to widen the width of the nip portions of the press rollers R1 and R2, the diameter of the press rollers having a solid structure can be made larger than the diameter of the press rollers having a hollow structure.

[0034] In this embodiment, belts B1 and B2 are used, but if one of the pair of press rollers R1 and R2 has a hollow structure and the other has a solid structure, belts B1 and B2 can be omitted. Specifically, the hollow press roller and the solid press roller are in contact with each other, and the hollow press roller can be rotated by the rotation of the solid press roller. Even in this case, the journal portion can be omitted for the hollow press roller. In this regard, the following inventions [1] to [7] are established.

[0035] [1] A pair of press rollers is provided to apply a load to the workpiece. One of the pair of press rollers has a hollow structure and the other press roller has a solid structure, A press device characterized in that the hollow press roller rotates by receiving the rotational force of the solid press roller. [2] The press device according to [1], wherein the press roller having the hollow structure is formed in a cylindrical shape. [3] A pair of backup rollers that contact at least one of the pair of press rollers; a drive mechanism that changes the interval between the pair of backup rollers by sliding the pair of backup rollers; The press device according to [1], characterized in that it has [4] The press device described in [3], characterized in that the drive mechanism increases the pressing force of the pair of press rollers by narrowing the gap between the pair of backup rollers and displacing at least one of the press rollers. [5] The press device described in [3], characterized in that the drive mechanism reduces the pressing force of the pair of press rollers by widening the gap between the pair of backup rollers and displacing at least one of the press rollers. [6] The press device according to [1], characterized in that a heater is disposed inside the press roller having a hollow structure. [7] The press device according to [1], characterized in that a heat exchange medium for cooling or heating is supplied to the inside of the press roller having a hollow structure.

[0036] According to the above inventions [1] to [7], the press roller (hollow structure) that applies a load to the workpiece rotates by the rotational force from the press roller (solid structure), so there is no need to provide a journal portion on the press roller (hollow structure).

[0037] (Variation 1) Next, a first modification of this embodiment will be described. Since the press rollers R1 and R2 have a hollow structure, the space formed inside the press rollers R1 and R2 can be used to heat or cool the workpiece W. This will be described in detail below.

[0038] When heating the workpiece W while pressing it, a heater 50 can be disposed inside the press rollers R1 and R2, as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the same components as those described in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. By disposing the heater 50, the belts B1 and B2 can be heated, and the workpiece W in contact with the belts B1 and B2 can also be heated.

[0039] Here, the heater 50 is turned on and the heat generated from the heater 50 is transferred to the workpiece W via the press rollers R1, R2 and the belts B1, B2, thereby heating the workpiece W. In order to improve the efficiency of heat transfer, the press rollers R1, R2 and the belts B1, B2 can be made of metal.

[0040] When the press rollers R1, R2 and the belts B1, B2 are made of metal (for example, steel), an IH coil (induction heating coil) can be used as the heater 50. This allows the press rollers R1, R2 and the belts B1, B2 to be induction heated by energizing the IH coil, thereby heating the workpiece W. The heater 50 can be disposed on both the press rollers R1, R2, or on only one of the press rollers R1, R2.

[0041] Next, when cooling the workpiece W while pressing it, a refrigerant can be supplied to the inside of the press rollers R1, R2. This allows the belts B1, B2 to be cooled via the press rollers R1, R2, and also the workpiece W in contact with the belts B1, B2 to be cooled. Any cooling structure that can cool the workpiece W in this way will suffice, and the specific cooling structure can be determined as appropriate.

[0042] For example, as shown in Fig. 6, by arranging a pipe 60 for flowing a refrigerant inside the press rollers R1, R2, it is possible to cool the belts B1, B2 via the press rollers R1, R2, and to cool the workpiece W via the belts B1, B2. Here, a spiral groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the press rollers R1, R2, and the pipe 60 can be arranged along this groove.

[0043] It is possible to supply refrigerant to both press rollers R1, R2, or to only one of the press rollers R1, R2. Also, instead of refrigerant, a heat exchange medium for heating can be supplied to at least one of the press rollers R1, R2. Here, by flowing a heat exchange medium for heating in the piping 60 shown in FIG. 6, the belts B1, B2 can be heated via the press rollers R1, R2, and the workpiece W in contact with the belts B1, B2 can also be heated.

[0044] Here, temperature sensors are provided at desired positions, and heating and cooling control of belts B1 and B2 can be performed based on the detection results of the temperature sensors. For example, when heating control is performed so that the temperatures of belts B1 and B2 become a target heating temperature, belts B1 and B2 can be heated when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor falls below the target heating temperature. On the other hand, when cooling control is performed so that the temperatures of belts B1 and B2 become a target cooling temperature, belts B1 and B2 can be cooled when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor rises above the target cooling temperature.

[0045] (Variation 2) Next, a second modification of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, in the support mechanism 20, the pair of support members 22 are fixed to the second device body 40, but in this modification, the distance between the pair of support members 22 can be changed. This will be specifically described below with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.

[0046] 7 and 8, a drive mechanism 70 is connected to the pair of support members 22, and the distance between the pair of support members 22 can be changed by the drive mechanism 70. Here, the pair of support members 22 are slidably attached to the second device body 40. The drive mechanism 70 may be any mechanism that can change the distance between the pair of support members 22 by sliding the pair of support members 22, and various mechanisms can be used.

[0047] 7, the drive mechanism 70 can slide each of the support members 22 so as to increase the distance between the pair of support members 22. By increasing the distance between the pair of support members 22, the press roller R2 can be displaced downward, and the pressing force of the press roller R2 against the press roller R1 can be reduced.

[0048] 8, the drive mechanism 70 can slide each of the pair of support members 22 so as to narrow the gap between the pair of support members 22. Narrowing the gap between the pair of support members 22 can displace the press roller R2 upward, thereby increasing the pressing force of the press roller R2 against the press roller R1.

[0049] As described above, the pressing force of the press rollers R1, R2 can be adjusted by changing the distance between the pair of support members 22. Here, the pressing force of the press rollers R1, R2 can be adjusted together with the pressure adjustment mechanism 10 described above, or the pressing force of the press rollers R1, R2 can be adjusted simply by changing the distance between the pair of support members 22 without driving the pressure adjustment mechanism 10. The distance between the pair of support members 22 can be changed continuously or in steps.

[0050] In this modification, the distance between the pair of support members 22 in the support mechanism 20 is changed, but it is also possible to change the distance between the pair of support members 12 (see FIG. 1) in the pressure adjustment mechanism 10. In this case, a drive mechanism similar to the drive mechanism 70 may be provided in the movable member 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1: Press device, 10: Pressure adjustment mechanism, 11, 21: Backup rollers, 12: Support member, 13: Movable member, 14: Cylinder unit, 15: Piston, 16: guide member, 20: support mechanism, 22: support member, 50: heater, 60: piping, 70: Drive mechanism, B1, B2: Belt, P11, P12, P21, P22: Pulleys, R1, R2 press rollers, W: workpiece

Claims

1. A pair of belts that sandwich and transport the workpiece; a pair of press rollers that are disposed at positions sandwiching the pair of belts and that apply a load to the workpiece via the pair of belts; At least one of the pair of press rollers has a hollow structure and rotates by friction with the belt.

2. 2. The press device according to claim 1, wherein the press roller having a hollow structure is formed in a cylindrical shape.

3. a pair of backup rollers that contact at least one of the pair of press rollers; a drive mechanism that changes the interval between the pair of backup rollers by sliding the pair of backup rollers; 2. The press device according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. 4. The press device according to claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism increases the pressing force of the pair of press rollers by narrowing the gap between the pair of backup rollers to displace at least one of the press rollers.

5. 4. The press device according to claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism reduces the pressing force of the pair of press rollers by increasing the distance between the pair of backup rollers and displacing at least one of the press rollers.

6. 2. The press device according to claim 1, wherein a heater is disposed inside the press roller having a hollow structure.

7. 2. The press device according to claim 1, wherein a heat exchange medium for cooling or heating is supplied to the inside of the press roller having a hollow structure.

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