Disconnecting Device

Abstract

The cutting device 100 comprises a tool drive 3, a cutting tool 2 having a first connection 21 connected to a first driver 118 and a second connection 22 connected to a second driver 128, and a guide device 1 having a first guide unit 1A having a first guide module 11A and a second guide module 12A, wherein the guide device 1 holds the first driver 118 so as to be displaceable along a first guide path and holds the second driver 128 so as to be displaceable along a second guide path. According to the present invention, the first guide module 11A has two guide wheels 111, 112, which are held rotatably in the guide plane by bearing devices 7 and which are adjacent to each other on their outer peripheries in the first transfer position T1, each periphery having an outwardly opening receiving opening 1110, 1120 suitable for receiving a first driver 118, which can be rotated in opposite directions at the same angular velocity by the tool drive unit 3, and the receiving openings 1110, 1120 of the two guide wheels 111, 112 are configured to be positioned opposite each other in the first transfer position T1 after each rotation, so that the first driver 118 can be alternately transferred from one receiving opening 1110 to the other 1120 in each case in the first transfer position T1 and can be guided forward alternately along the outer periphery of the first guide wheel 111 or the second guide wheel 112.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting device with a cutting tool. [Background technology]

[0002] European Patent No. EP2551077(A1) discloses a cutting device in which a connecting portion of the cutting tool is linearly displaceable so that the cutting tool can be displaced back and forth along a straight line to perform the cutting operation. The cutting tool is held on both sides by a guide device having two guide modules, and the connecting portions of the cutting tool are guided and mounted by the guide devices so that they can be linearly displaced along one path each. Further, a drive module is provided, and the drive module moves the cutting tool along the path. A control device synchronizes the drive modules with each other so that the cutting tool remains horizontally aligned during the cutting operation.

[0003] The cutting tool or metal blade is connected via a connecting element and an energy converter with an ultrasonic generator. During the cutting process, ultrasonic energy is applied to the metal blade so that the cutting process can be performed with less resistance.

[0004] As with conventional cutting devices, when the metal blade is not subjected to ultrasonic energy, the process material to be cut is compressed more during the cutting process than when ultrasonic energy is applied. Deformation of the elastic process material occurs under the influence of the cutting tool, and the deformation is reduced when ultrasonic energy is applied. Deformation of the process material can have an undesirable effect on the cutting pattern. On the other hand, if the process material is hard, and even potentially brittle, the process material may fracture under the influence of the cutting tool.

[0005] The described problem of deformation of the process material also necessitates a limitation of the cutting cycle, since the forces acting increase with increasing speed and displacement.

[0006] The forces acting on the process material and back on the cutting tool also create higher stresses on the cutting tool, which leads to higher maintenance requirements and more frequent cutting tool replacement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. EP2551077(A1) Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating an improved cutting device.

[0009] In particular, a cutting device shall be produced which is simple in design and at the same time gives improved cutting results.

[0010] Any process material shall be advantageously cut by the present cutting device, deformation of the process material, especially compression, shall be avoided, and therefore the cutting process shall be performed accurately and a significantly improved cutting pattern shall be achieved, regardless of the nature of the process material.

[0011] The cutting operation will be able to run at a higher clock cycle.

[0012] The cutting device shall be compact and take up little space so that it can be advantageously incorporated into any manufacturing process.

[0013] The cutting device shall be manufactured with less effort, in particular the guide and drive devices for the cutting tool shall be simpler in design and less expensive.

[0014] This task is solved by means of a cutting device having the features set forth in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the further claims.

[0015] The cutting device has a tool drive, a cutting tool having a first connection part connected to the first follower and a second connection part connected to the second follower, and a guide device, the guide device having a first guide unit with a first guide module and a second guide module, and using the guide device, the first follower is held displaceably along the first guideway and the second follower is held displaceably along the second guideway.

[0016] According to the invention, the first guiding module and / or the second guiding module have two guiding wheels, which are: a) each held by an associated bearing device rotatable in a guide plane; b) circumferentially adjacent to each other at the first transfer position; c) each having an outwardly opening receiving opening suitable for receiving the first follower; d) rotatable by the tool drive in opposite directions at the same angular velocity; e) The receiving openings of the two guide wheels are configured to face each other in the first transfer position after each rotation, so that the first follower can be alternately transferred from one receiving opening into the other receiving opening in the first transfer position and can be alternately guided along the outer periphery of the first guide wheel or the second guide wheel.

[0017] During operation of the cutting device, for example, a first follower in a first guide module is thus alternately guided in the guideway first around the first guide wheel and then around the second guide wheel, with the first and second guide wheels rotating synchronously with each other in opposite directions. The resulting guideway corresponds to a figure eight. The first follower, and thus the associated connection of the cutting tool, is thus moved back and forth by two guide wheel diameters in a first direction and by a single guide wheel diameter in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0018] In this operation, a second follower in the second guide module can be moved along an equivalent straight or curved guideway. The second follower can passively or dependently follow the movement of the first follower. For example, a straight or curved guide channel can be provided in the second guide module, along which the second follower can follow the movement of the first follower. By appropriate dimensioning and alignment of the second guide channel, the deflection of the cutting tool can be determined accordingly.

[0019] Preferably, however, the second follower is also actively guided like the first follower, and for this purpose the second guiding module also comprises a first guiding wheel and a second guiding wheel, the first guiding wheel and the second guiding wheel being: a) rotatably held by an associated bearing device; b) circumferentially adjacent to each other at the second transfer position; c) each having an outwardly opening receiving opening on its outer periphery suitable for receiving a second follower; d) can be rotated by the tool drive in opposite directions at the same angular velocity; e) The receiving openings of the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel are configured to face each other at the second transfer position after each rotation, so that the second follower can be alternately transferred from one receiving opening to the other receiving opening at the second transfer position and alternately guided along the outer periphery of the first guide wheel or the second guide wheel of the second guide module.

[0020] The first and second guide modules are therefore preferably identical, are preferably arranged in a guide plane, possibly rotated 180° relative to each other, and are spaced apart according to the length of the cutting tool.

[0021] The rotation axes of the wheels of the first guiding module and the wheels of the second guiding module preferably define the corners of a rectangle or parallelogram at the intersection of the guiding planes.

[0022] The first follower and second follower move synchronously in spaced apart, identical, and identically aligned guideways, and are optionally guided in guide channels of identical shape and size.

[0023] The guide wheels can be rotated at high speeds so that the process material can be cut at high cycle rates.

[0024] During the cutting process, cutting motions occur in two directions. The cutting tool remains aligned parallel at all times and is cyclically moved downward and upward along its longitudinal axis in the first cutting motion. At the same time, the cutting tool is moved back and forth at a right angle in the second cutting motion. In the first cutting motion, the cutting tool can be guided tangentially along the process material, while in the second cutting motion, the cutting tool is guided against or into the process material to cut it open. A simple rotational movement of the guide wheel can perform the ideal cutting motion, making it possible to cut the process material accurately and quickly.

[0025] The process material is cut by the first cutting action, but the process material is not compressed by the second cutting action. Avoiding compression of the process material results in precise cuts and precise cutting patterns. In this way, process material, particularly foodstuffs such as meat, bread, cheese, etc., or other industrial products, can be cut optimally, i.e., very precisely, and at high cycle rates.

[0026] If the cutting tool is designed as a wire or a blade with cutting edges on both sides, the process material can be cut from both directions by the wire or blade, thereby doubling the number of cutting cycles.

[0027] When a wire is used as the cutting tool, the wire is preferably rotatably mounted and driven by at least one tool motor. Both wire ends, i.e., the cutting tool connections, are preferably connected to the tool motor, which prevents twisting of the wire and allows the wire to rotate at maximum speed. The wire can preferably rotate at a speed selectable or adjustable by a control unit between 0 and over 1000 revolutions per second, resulting in high cutting performance. The rotating wire can be guided into the process material with virtually no resistance.

[0028] The guide device described so far comprises only one first guide unit substantially aligned in a first guide plane.

[0029] To enhance performance and stability, the guide device is preferably equipped with a first guide unit and a second guide unit. The second guide unit is preferably a mirror image of the first guide unit, preferably facing each other and located in parallel guide planes. The rotation axes of the guide wheels of the first and second guide units are preferably coaxially aligned with each other. The distance between the two guide units, and therefore the distance between the two guide planes, is preferably selected according to the dimensions of the cutting tool and associated equipment, such as a tool motor or ultrasonic transducer, held and guided between the two guide planes or the two guide units. The guide units are preferably identical and can be manufactured with minimal effort.

[0030] In this embodiment, the cutting tool is held on both sides at both connections, which is why bending stresses and twisting do not occur. The cutting tool can be guided powerfully without overload.

[0031] In each of the described embodiments, the guide device can be manufactured very compactly. The dimensions of the guide unit are determined by the dimensions of the cutting tool and the deflection of the cutting tool in the first and second directions of movement. This means that only the space required by the cutting tool itself is needed. The guide unit itself can be manufactured with a small thickness, for example, of about 1 cm to 2 cm. A more compact design is therefore almost impossible.

[0032] The cutting device of the present invention can therefore be advantageously incorporated into any process and device. Due to its compact design, the cutting device can also be incorporated into a vending machine that cuts process materials to be sold. For example, the cutting device can be combined with a conveyor device that cuts bread or cake. The conveyor device can also sequentially feed different process materials, such as first bread, then meat, and then bread again, during the cutting process. In this way, fresh sandwiches can be automatically cut.

[0033] Particularly advantageous is a mirror image or symmetrical design of the guide device, in which essentially the same device parts are used for all guide modules, e.g., identical guide wheels can be used, which only need to be mated together in the appropriate orientation.

[0034] The cutting device of the present invention is constructed modularly and can be assembled in a few simple steps.

[0035] The guide wheels can be driven in various ways. Preferably, the tool drive has a single drive motor, which drives all guide wheels of the guide device via correspondingly designed force transmission devices. The force transmission device can have interconnected toothed wheels and / or toothed belts. Furthermore, a drive module can be assigned to each guide unit, each guide module, or each guide wheel. In this case, synchronization of all guide wheels must be ensured. For example, sensors are used to determine the position of the guide wheels and, if necessary, correct their position. The drive can be performed by stepper motors, which control the associated guide wheels accordingly.

[0036] Driving the guide wheels is particularly easy if they are designed as gears with peripheral toothing. It is sufficient to drive only one of the two toothed gears. The corresponding toothing of the guide wheels automatically synchronizes the guide wheels. In this case, the pair of guide wheels can also be driven with little effort by a single drive motor via a transmission shaft and gears.

[0037] The tool drives can therefore easily be set up in a centralized or decentralized manner.

[0038] After each rotation of the guide wheels, the followers and the receiving openings of the guide wheels reach their associated transfer positions. In this transfer position, the receiving openings may face each other with a slight inclination. Due to the moving mass, the followers in the transfer position tend to continue their path in a straight line running from the first guide wheel to the adjacent guide wheel. At the same time, centrifugal force acts, which causes the followers to move from the receiving opening of one guide wheel into the receiving opening of the other guide wheel. In this way, automatic transfer of the followers and the cutting tools connected to them is achieved.

[0039] The transfer of the follower from the receiving opening of one guide wheel to the receiving opening of the other guide wheel is in a preferred embodiment supported by additional guide elements which may be used individually or in combination.

[0040] In a first preferred embodiment, a first guide collar, preferably at least approximately V-shaped, is arranged in the receiving opening of the first guide wheel, and a second guide collar, preferably at least approximately V-shaped, is arranged in the receiving opening of the second guide wheel.

[0041] The first guide collar is preferably designed to protrude beyond the first guide wheel and to engage with the second guide collar in the transfer position, where the two guide collars define a possibly built-in transfer channel along which the associated follower is safely guided from the receiving opening of the first guide wheel to the receiving opening of the second guide wheel.

[0042] As an auxiliary element, a magnet, possibly rotatably mounted, is also provided, which can attract or repel the follower or a magnet directly or indirectly connected to the follower in order to hold the follower in the receiving opening or eject the follower from the receiving opening.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the first and / or second followers of the first and second guide units are connected to one another by a first guide shaft. The guide shaft can perform different functions: on the one hand, the guide shaft can serve as a bearing for the follower, and the follower can be designed, for example, as a hollow cylindrical element and rotate around the guide shaft. Preferably, the guide shaft protrudes outward from the follower on both sides and is connected, on the outside of the follower, to an end piece of the guide shaft with a guide slide.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the followers are rotatably mounted so that they can be moved as smoothly as possible along the guideway in the guide channel.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the followers and / or guide slides are guided in guide plates. Preferably, each guide module comprises a guide plate serving to support the associated guide wheel. Each guide plate preferably comprises a guide channel running parallel to the guideway, along which the associated follower is guided. The guide channel comprises at least one channel segment serving for direct or indirect guidance of the associated follower.

[0046] Preferably, a first channel segment is provided which serves to accommodate the end piece of the associated follower, the follower thus being guided in this first channel segment, preferably parallel to the guideway.

[0047] Alternatively, or in addition to the first channel segment, a second channel segment is preferably provided, designed to receive an elongated, rotatably mounted guide slide that is directly or indirectly connected to the associated follower. The guide slide may be fixed or rotatably connected to the follower, directly or indirectly. Preferably, however, the guide slide is mounted on a guide shaft that correspondingly protrudes beyond the follower. The guide slide is guided in a substantially straight line along the guideway in the guide channel or in the second channel segment, such that the guide slide always passes diagonally through the crossing point located at the associated transfer position. In this way, the guideway always passes smoothly and correctly.

[0048] Preferably, a third channel segment is provided in which a guide wheel is recessed in a countersunk screw manner, ensuring that the follower held in the receiving opening cannot move out of the receiving opening outside the transfer position.

[0049] The connection parts of the cutting tool can be connected to the followers in any way, preferably an articulated connection is provided, in a preferred embodiment the first follower and the second follower are connected directly or indirectly to the associated first or second connection part of the cutting tool, for example by means of a bearing block.

[0050] Any auxiliary devices, in particular those serving measuring purposes and / or acting on the cutting tool, can be mounted on the bearing block. If necessary, sensors that are moved with the cutting tool can be used to monitor the cutting process.

[0051] Preferably, the first follower and the second follower are each connected to a bearing block that holds an ultrasonic transducer, and the ultrasonic transducer is connected to an associated connection for delivering ultrasonic energy to the cutting tool.

[0052] The cutting device of the present invention can be advantageously incorporated into any process chain, any device, vending machine, etc. The process material to be cut is preferably fed by a conveyor device in a process step synchronized with the cutting cycle. For each step to be performed, the process material is pushed into the desired position in advance. If the cutting tool has cutting edges on both sides or is a wire, the process material can be cut from both sides. After each deflection, the process material is advanced according to the desired cutting thickness and becomes available for the next cutting cycle. With each pass through the guideway, the cutting tool can therefore perform two cuts.

[0053] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0054] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of a cutting device 100 of the present invention, having a conveyor device 4 for transporting a process material P to be cut, a tool drive 3, and a cutting tool 2, the cutting tool 2 being held by a guide device 1, the guide device 1 having two guide units 1A, 1B that are spaced apart from each other and operate synchronously, each having an upper guide module 11A, 11B and a lower guide module 12A, 12B, the upper guide modules 11A, 11B and the lower guide modules 12A, 12B each having two interconnected guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122, whereby each follower 118, 128 connected to the cutting tool 2 can be circulated along a loop running along the outer periphery of the interconnected guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122. [Figure 2a] 2 is a view of the cutting device 100 of FIG. 1 with a wire-shaped cutting tool 2 and a guide device 1 without the second guide unit 1B, which is only optionally provided. [Figure 2b]2a after the coupled guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122 have been rotated by 90° in the opposite direction and the cutting tool 2 has subsequently been moved 1 / 8 of a stroke within the internal loop. [Figure 3a] 2 is a front view of the cutting device 100 of FIG. 1, which has a guide device 1 with two guide units 1A, 1B between which a cutting tool 2 is held so that the cutting tool can circulate in a loop, and which is provided on the two guide units 1A, 1B respectively with an upper guide plate 115 and a lower guide plate 125 for mounting guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122. [Figure 3b] 3b shows the cutting device 100 of FIG. 3a after removing the upper and lower guide plates 115, 125 from the second guide unit 1B. [Figure 3c] 3b, without the optional second guiding unit 1B, when looking at the cutting tool 2 with the connections 21, 22 carried by the optional ultrasonic transducer 25. [Figure 3d] 3c, without the ultrasonic transducer 25, when looking at the followers 118, 128 in a position to be transferred from the first guide wheel 111, 121 to the second guide wheel 112, 122. [Figure 3e] 3d, without the guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122, looking at the guide channels B11, B12 provided in the guide plates 115, 125. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a view of the cutting device 100 of FIG. 1 seen from above between two guide units 1A, 1B, with a cutting tool 2 held between them. [Figure 5a] 1 with two guide units 1A, 1B, a guide device 1 and a moving element of a cutting tool 2 held by followers 118, 128 which are alternately circulated around a first guide wheel 111, 121 and a second guide wheel 112, 122. [Figure 5b] 5a with the moving elements of the first guiding unit 1A of the guiding device 1. FIG. [Figure 5c] 5b is a diagram of a cutting device 100 having a first guiding unit 1A and optionally a second guiding unit 1B, not shown in the preferred embodiment, in which only the first connecting part 21 of the cutting tool 2 is circulated around the guide wheels 111, 112 of the upper guiding module 11, while the second connecting part 22 with its associated follower 128 in the lower guiding module 12A is guided back and forth in a straight or curved, vertical or inclined guiding channel B12. [Figure 5d] 5b, with the moving elements of the two guide units 1A of the guide device 1 and with a wire-shaped cutting tool 2 optionally held rotatably about its longitudinal axis by motors 211, 221. [Figure 6] 3c shows an exploded view of the guiding device 1 with the first guiding unit 1A and the tool unit 2 with the ultrasonic transducer 25 of FIG. 3c. [Figure 7a] 3d, with the follower 118 in a transfer position T1 between the first guiding wheel 111 and the second guiding wheel 112, but without the first guiding wheel 111. FIG. [Figure 7b] 7 is a view of the upper guide module 11A with a vertical section along section line BB in FIG. 6 through the guide plate 115 at the transfer position T1 of the follower 118. FIG. [Figure 7c] 3d, with the follower 118 moved further by a quarter turn of the second guide wheel 112, and with the follower 118' in a further position, without the first guide wheel 111. FIG. [Figure 7d] 7c, with a cross section through the guide plate 115 at the position of the follower 118 reached after a quarter revolution of the second guide wheel 112. FIG. [Figure 8]2 is a diagram of an ultrasonic transducer 25 taken from the cutting device 1 of FIG. 1 connected on one side to the connections 21, 22 of the cutting tool 2 and on the other side to a bearing block 29 shown in quarter section, held on either side by followers 118, 128. [Figure 9] 2 shows the cutting device 1 of FIG. 1 in a further preferred embodiment and a tool drive 3 with a force transmission device 310 with a drive belt. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram of the cutting device 1 of FIG. 1 with a further exemplary conveyor device 4 shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] 1 shows a cutting device 100 of the invention in a preferred embodiment, with a guide device 1 having two guide units 1A, 1B serving to guide a cutting tool 2 that can be held between guide units 1A and 1B and guided in vertical alignment along a guide loop. The two guide units 1A, 1B, which are preferably mirror images and aligned face-to-face with each other, have upper guide modules 11A, 11B and lower guide modules 12A, 12B, respectively. The guide modules 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B are preferably identical and can be rotated by 180° with respect to each other.

[0056] Each of the guide modules 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B has a first guide wheel 111, 121 and a second guide wheel 112, 122 rotatably held in pairs by guide plates 115, 125 (see FIG. 2a). The guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122 are formed as toothed wheels and engage with each other by their teeth. The guide plate 115 of the upper guide module 11A of the first guide unit 1A is cut vertically in the middle.

[0057] From each pair of cooperating guide wheels 111, 121, 112, 122, a follower 118, 128 (see FIG. 2a) is carried and circulated along a guide loop. Coaxially aligned with each follower 118, 128 is a guide slide 119, 129 (see, for example, FIG. 3c). The end pieces of the followers 118, 128 facing the guide plates 115, 125 and the guide slides 119, 129 are located in each of the associated guide plates 115, 125 and are guided in guide channels running parallel to the guide loop.

[0058] It will be explained and shown below that each follower 118, 128 is alternately circulated along their circumference by an associated pair of guide wheels 111, 121, 112, 122, which is why the guideway has the shape of the figure 8. The cutting tool 2 is thus guided cyclically along a figure 8 path with crossing or transition points T1, T2 (see Figure 2a).

[0059] The guidance device 1 comprises a mounting structure 10 connecting two guidance units 1A, 1B and their guidance modules 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B. The two guidance units 1A, 1B have associated structural units 10A, 10B interconnected by a connecting element 10C.

[0060] The guide wheels 111, 121, 112, 122 and the cutting tool 2 are driven by a tool drive 3, which has a drive motor 30 that drives the guide wheels 112, 122 (see FIG. 2a) via a force transmission device 31, which in turn drives the associated further guide wheels 111, 121 via their toothing. The force transmission device 31 has gears rotatably held by a gear shaft and firmly coupled on the one hand to the drive motor 30 and on the other hand to the guide wheels 112, 122. Power transmission from the drive motor 30 to the guide wheels 112, 122 can also be achieved by a drive belt, preferably a toothed belt, and possibly a toothed wheel, as shown in FIG. 9. It is also possible to drive the guide wheels 111, 121, 112, 122 by individually assigned drive motors operating synchronously.

[0061] The guide device 1 with the cutting tool 2 can be incorporated into any device and process for cutting the process material P. Fig. 1 shows an example of a conveyor device 4 with a push device 41, by means of which the process material P can be pushed, preferably stepwise, towards the cutting tool 2. The push device 41 has a conveyor motor 40, by means of which a feed slide 411 can be moved, preferably stepwise, along a feed track 412. Together with the feed slide 411, a push tool 413 is displaceable relative to the process material P. The process material P is guided by a side plate 421 and displaced, preferably stepwise, towards the cutting tool 2 via the feed plate 42 according to the cutting cycle.

[0062] The cutting device 100 preferably includes a control unit 5, which controls the movement of the cutting tool 2 and the feed tool 413. FIG. 9 shows that the position of the cutting tool 2 is detected by at least one sensor 50 and reported to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 then sends corresponding control signals 53, 54 to the drive motor 30 and the conveyor motor 40 to control the feed of the process material P in response to the movement of the cutting tool 2. After a cutting cycle is performed, the process material P can be advanced a distance corresponding to the set cutting thickness before the next cutting cycle begins. The control unit 5 can be, for example, a conventional personal computer.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 5 also comprises an AC voltage generator by means of which the AC voltage of the ultrasonic range is generated and applied to an acoustic transducer 25 connected to the connections 21, 22 of the cutting tool 2. The AC voltage is supplied to, for example, a piezoelectric element which converts electrical oscillations into mechanical vibrations.

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a cutting device 100 in a preferred embodiment, which has two upper guide modules 11A, 11B and two lower guide modules 12A, 12B. The connectors 21, 22 (see FIG. 2a) at both ends of the cutting tool 2 are held and guided on both sides in this embodiment. The guide device 1 can also be designed so that the connectors 21, 22 are guided on only one side in the guide modules 11A, 12A. Furthermore, only one of the connectors 21, 22 of the cutting tool 2 can be guided on one side by one guide module 11A, 11B, 12A, or 12B, or on both sides by two guide modules 11A, 11B, or 12A, 12B facing each other (see FIG. 5c), while the other connectors 22, 21 can follow any path. The cutting device 100 can therefore be built and expanded according to the user's needs.

[0065] Figure 2a shows the cutting device 100 of Figure 1 with an optional wire-shaped cutting tool 2 symbolically shown and a guide device 1 with a first guide unit 1A, seen from the second guide unit 1B, while the second guide unit 1B is only optionally provided.

[0066] The connections 21, 22 of the end piece or cutting tool 2 are connected to followers 118, 128, respectively, which can be circulated alternately in a figure-of-eight path along the outer periphery of two corresponding guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122 held by a bearing device 7. The bearing device 7 has a bearing shaft 71 held in a central bearing opening 70 of the guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122.

[0067] The guide wheels 111, 112, 121, and 122 are a) adjacent to each other on the outer periphery at transfer positions T1 and T2; b) designed as toothed wheels, with teeth engaging each other; c) at each outer periphery, a receiving opening 1110, 1120, 1210, 1220 opening at least approximately radially outward and serving to receive a follower 118, 119; d) rotatable by the tool drive 3 in opposite directions and at the same angular velocity; e) their receiving openings 1110, 1120, 1210, 1220 are configured to face each other after each rotation at the associated transfer positions T1, T2, as shown in Figure 2a, so that the followers 118, 119 can be alternately transferred from one receiving opening 1110, 1120, 1210, 1220 to the other receiving opening 1110, 1120, 1210, 1220 at the transfer positions T1, T2 and can be further guided alternately along the outer periphery of the first guide wheel 111, 121 or the second guide wheel 112, 122.

[0068] 2a, the followers 118, 128 that have just passed around the first guide wheels 111, 121 are held in the receiving openings 1110, 1120 of the first guide wheels 111, 121 and are then transferred or forcibly guided by centrifugal force into the receiving openings 1120, 1220 of the second guide wheels 112, 122 and then pass around the second guide wheels 112, 122. Even before reaching the transfer positions T1, T2, the followers 118, 128 can move outward so that they are dropped into the adjacent receiving openings 1120, 1220.

[0069] Figure 2b shows the cutting device 100 of Figure 2a after the followers 118, 128 have been transferred to the second guide wheels 112, 122 and the coupled guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122 have been rotated further by 90° in the opposite direction, after which the cutting tool 2 has been moved 1 / 8 of a stroke in a closed loop. The cutting tool 2 has not only been guided to the right in the direction of the second guide wheels 112, 122, but also upwards.

[0070] It is therefore clear that the connections 21, 22 of the cutting tools are deflected downwards and upwards twice during a cycle according to the diameter of the guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122 and are moved back and forth according to twice the diameter of the guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122. The cutting tool 2 thus performs a movement tangential to the process material while being guided through it. The process material is thus cut with great precision without being compressed.

[0071] Figure 3a shows the cutting device 100 of figure 1 seen from the front, with a guide device 1 having two guide units 1A, 1B between which a cutting tool 2 is held so that it can circulate in a loop. The guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122 are mounted in pairs in an upper guide plate 115 and in a lower guide plate 125.

[0072] The process material (not shown) is conveyed to the cutting tool 2 via a supply plate 42, which is cyclically guided back and forth in front of the supply plate 42, preferably corresponding to the entire width of the supply plate 42.

[0073] Figure 3b shows the cutting device 100 of Figure 3a after the upper guide plate 115 and the lower guide plate 125 have been removed from the second guide unit 1B. The guide slides 119, 129 are exposed at the front and are guided in guide channels provided in the removed guide plates 115, 125.

[0074] FIG. 3c shows the cutting device 100 of FIG. 3b without the optional second guide unit 1B, when viewing the cutting tool 2 with the connecting portions 21, 22 held by the optional ultrasonic transducers 25. Note that the guide device 1 can also be realized in this configuration, i.e., using only the first guide unit 1A. Double-sided guidance is preferred when the process material is to be cut with high force. The force required to cut the process material can, on the other hand, be reduced by applying ultrasonic energy to the cutting tool 2. The followers 118, 128 are shown each holding a mounting body 29 on which the ultrasonic transducers 25 are mounted. Each of the ultrasonic transducers 25 is connected to the connecting portions 21, 22 of the cutting tool 2. The connecting portions 21, 22 are connected, for example, to a metal cylinder supported by a piezoelectric element inside the ultrasonic transducer 25. By applying an electrical alternating voltage in the subsonic range to the piezoelectric element, ultrasonic waves are generated which are transmitted to the cutting tool 2 via the connections 21,22.

[0075] Figure 3d shows the cutting device 100 of Figure 3c without the ultrasonic transducer 25, when looking at the followers 118, 128 in the position of Figure 2a, where the followers 118, 128 are transferred from the first guide wheels 111, 121 to the second guide wheels 112, 122. Any cutting tool 2 can be connected to the followers 118, 128. Preferably, the cutting tool 2 shown exemplarily has a blade 200 provided with cutting edges 201, 202 on both sides. With such a cutting tool 2, and possibly also with a wire-shaped cutting tool 2 (see Figure 5d), the cut can be made in any direction of movement, from left to right and from right to left.

[0076] Figure 3e shows the cutting device 100 of Figure 3d without the guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122, when looking at the optional guide channels B11, B12 provided in the guide plates 115, 125. The followers 118, 128 and the guide slides 119, 129 are guided in different channel segments of the guide channels B11, B12. The guide channels B11, B12 ensure reliable guidance of the followers 118, 128. The guide slides 119, 121 ensure that the cutting tool 2 is always guided in the correct direction in the transition positions T1, T2.

[0077] Figure 4 shows the cutting device 100 of Figure 1 seen from above between two guide units 1A, 1B with a cutting tool 2 held between them. The guide plate 115 of the upper guide module 11B of the second guide unit 1B has been cut horizontally at half height along the cutting line AA shown in Figure 3a. In the cut guide plate 115, part of the guide channel B11 is exposed. In the area of the transition position T1, the follower 118 and the guide slide 119 held in the guide channel B11 are shown. Furthermore, the inserted bearing device 7 is visible.

[0078] Figure 5a shows the cutting device 100 of figure 1 in the position of figure 2a with the moving elements of the two guiding units 1A, 1B of the guiding device 1 and the cutting tool 2. The cutting tool 2 is held between the first guide wheels 111, 121 and the second guide wheels 112, 122 of the first guiding unit 1A and the second guiding unit 1B by the followers 118, 128 of the two guiding units 1A, 1B.

[0079] Figure 5b shows the cutting device 100 of Figure 5a with the moving element of the first guiding unit 1A of the guiding device 1. As mentioned before, the guiding device 1 can also be operated in this configuration. Guide shafts 1181, 1281 are shown protruding from the followers 118, 128. The followers 118, 119 of the two guiding units 1A, 1B are hollow cylinders, rotatably held on both sides by the guide shafts 1181, 1281.

[0080] Figure 5b further shows that the first guide wheels 111, 121 are provided with first guide collars 1111, 1211 which protrude beyond the first guide wheels 111, 121 and engage, in the transfer positions T1, T2, with second guide collars 1121, 1221 mounted on the second guide wheels 112, 122. The guide collars 1111, 1211, 1121, 1122 are V-shaped and surround, by means of two guide arms, the associated receiving openings 1110, 1120, 1210, 1220 of the concerned guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122. The mutual engagement of the guide collars 1111, 1211, 1121, 1122 forms a transfer channel TC at the transfer positions T1, T2 along which the followers 118, 128 can pass in a controlled manner from one receiving opening 1110, 1210, 1120, 1220 to the other receiving opening 1110, 1210, 1120, 1220. The guide arms of the guide collars 1111, 1211, 1121, 1122 can be shaped as required, for example, so as to create a slope along which the followers 118, 128 can roll or slide in accordance with the centrifugal and gravitational forces acting on them.

[0081] 5c shows the cutting device 100 of FIG. 1 with a first guiding unit 1A and optionally with a second guiding unit 1B, not shown in the preferred embodiment, in which only the first connecting part 21 of the cutting tool 2 is circulated around the guide wheels 111, 112 of the upper guiding module 11, while the second connecting part 22 in the lower guiding module 12A is periodically guided back and forth in a straight or curved, vertical or inclined guide channel B12. In principle, a built-in second guide channel B12 running, for example, along a circle or ellipse, can also be provided. In the illustrated example, the follower 128 and the optional guide slide are guided vertically upwards and downwards.

[0082] Figure 5d shows the cutting device 100 of figure 5b with the moving elements of the guiding unit 1A of the guiding device 1 and with a wire-shaped cutting tool 2. The cutting tool 2 is mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis and is preferably connected at both connections 21, 22 to and driven by electric tool motors 211, 221.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the guiding device 1 with the first guiding unit 1A and the tool unit 2 with the ultrasonic transducer 25 of FIG. 3c.

[0084] FIG. 7 a shows the upper guide module 11A of FIG. 3 d without the first guide wheel 111 and with the follower 118 at the transfer point T1 between the first guide wheel 111 and the second guide wheel 112 .

[0085] Figure 7b shows the upper guide module 11A with a vertical section taken along the intersection line BB in Figure 6 through the guide plate 115 at the location of the follower 118. The guide slide 119 is shown correctly aligned to properly guide the guide follower 118 over the intersection of the guide channel B11.

[0086] The guide channel B11 has three channel segments B1, B2 and B3. In the middle channel segment B1, the end piece of the follower 118 is guided. In the lowest channel segment B2, the guide slide 119 is aligned and guided accordingly. In the top channel segment B3, the guide wheels 111, 112 are recessed in a countersunk screw manner. This ensures that the followers 118, 128 can be separated from the guide wheels 111, 112, 121, 122 only at the transfer positions T1, T2.

[0087] At the transfer point T1, the intermediate channel segment B1 becomes somewhat wider, which is why the guidance here is essentially provided by the guide slide 119.

[0088] Figure 7c shows the upper guide module 11A of Figure 3d without the first guide wheel 111 and with the follower 118 further moved by a quarter turn of the second guide wheel 112. Furthermore, the follower 118' is shown in a further position within the portion of the guide channel B11, in the area of the first guide wheel 111. The follower 118 has been moved in a clockwise circular path around the second guide wheel 112 and has been inserted in a circular path around the first guide wheel 111 from below.

[0089] Figure 7d shows the upper guide module 11A of Figure 7c with a vertical section along section line BB in Figure 6 through the guide plate 115 in the position of the follower 118 reached after a quarter revolution of the second guide wheel 112. The follower 118 is now guided with almost no play in the middle channel segment B2. The guide slide 119 is horizontally aligned in this position in the lowest channel segment B1.

[0090] FIG. 8 shows an ultrasonic transducer 25 taken from the cutting device 1 of FIG. 1, connected on one side to the connectors 21 and 22 of the cutting tool 2 and on the other side to a bearing block 29, shown in quarter section, supported on both sides by followers 118 and 128. The followers 118 and 128 are passed through by guide shafts 1181 and 1281, which protrude beyond the followers 118 and 128 on both sides. The two end pieces of the guide shafts 1181 and 1281 are connected to guide slides 119 and 129. Also shown are guide collars 1121 and 1221, which engage with each other at transfer positions T1 and T2 to form a transfer channel TC. The bearing block 29, which has a bearing channel for receiving the guide shafts 1181 and 1281, can be of any shape and can support any auxiliary device. For example, the tool motors 211 and 221 of FIG. 5d are mounted on such a bearing block 29.

[0091] Figure 9 shows the cutting device 1 of figure 1 in a further preferred embodiment and a tool drive 3 with a force transmission device 310 with a drive belt 310. The function of the control unit 5 has been explained above.

[0092] Figure 10 shows the cutting device 1 of Figure 1 with one of the guide units 1 described in Figures 1 to 9, in this case with only one guide unit 1A and a conveyor device 4 with at least one tubular feeding body 42A, which is preferably funnel-shaped or has a funnel-shaped element. The feeding body 42A can be a tube with a round, e.g., elliptical, oval, or circular, or polygonal, e.g., rectangular, square, or triangular, cross section. The process material P is conveyed through the feeding body 42A, e.g., by a telescopic plunger or piston.

[0093] Optionally, two or more feeders 42A, 42B are provided, which can be exchanged by a changeover device 45 or can be moved alternately with their outlet openings in front of the cutting tool 2. For example, the feeders 42A, 42B are slidably mounted on rails 46. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 100 Cutting Device 1 Guidance device 1A First guide unit 10 Mounting structure, machine frame 10A Structural unit of first guide unit 1A 1B Second guide unit 10B Structural unit of second guide unit 1B 10C: Connection element of guide units 1A and 1B 11A, 11B Upper guide module 111 upper first guide wheel 1110 Receiving opening 1111 Guide Color 112 upper second guide wheel 1120 Receiving opening 1121 Guide Color 115 Upper guide plate 118 Upper follower 118' Upper follower further in position 1181 Upper guide shaft 119 Upper guide slide 119' Upper guide slide in further position 12A, 12B Lower guide module 121 Lower first guide wheel 1210 Receiving opening 1211 Guide Color 122 Lower second guide wheel 1220 Receiving opening 1221 Guide Color 125 Lower guide plate 128 Lower follower 1281 Lower guide shaft 129 Lower guide slide 2 Cutting tools, blades or wire 200 blades 201 First cutting edge 202 Second cutting edge 21 First connection part of cutting tool 22 Second connection part of cutting tool 25 Ultrasonic Transducer 251 connection cable 29 Mounting body 3 Tool drive unit 30 Drive motor 31 Force transmission device with gears 310 Force transmission device with drive belt 4 Conveyor Device 40 Conveyor motor 41 Push Device 411 Supply Slide 412 Supply Truck 413 Preferably adjustable feeding tool 42 Supply body such as pipe or plate 42A, 42B Interchangeable Supply 421 preferably adjustable side plates 43 Output Plate 45 Switching Device 46 Switching Device Rail 5 Control Device 7 Bearing device for guide wheel 70 Bearing opening 71 Bearing shaft 72 Bearing body B0 Straight guide channel B11, B12 Guide channels in guide plates 115, 125 B1 First channel segment for follower B2 Second channel segment for guide slide B3 Third channel segment for guide wheel P Process Material T1 First transfer position T2 Second transfer position TC Transfer Channel

Claims

1. a tool drive unit (3); a cutting tool (2) having a first connection part (21) connected to a first follower (118) and a second connection part (22) connected to a second follower (128); a guide device (1) having a first guide unit (1A) with a first guide module (11A) and a second guide module (12A), whereby the first follower (118) is displaceably held along a first guideway and the second follower (128) is displaceably held along a second guideway; A cutting device (100) having The first guide module (11A) has a first guide wheel (111) and a second guide wheel (112), and the first guide wheel (111) and the second guide wheel (112) are a) each held by an associated bearing device (7) rotatable in a guide plane; b) circumferentially adjacent to each other at the first transfer position (T1); c) each having an outwardly opening receiving opening (1110, 1120) suitable for receiving said first follower (118); d) rotatable by said tool drive (3) in the opposite direction at the same angular velocity; e) the receiving openings (1110, 1120) of the first guide wheel (111) and the second guide wheel (112) are configured to face each other in the first transfer position (T1) after each rotation, so that the first follower (118) can be alternately transferred from one receiving opening (1110) into the other receiving opening (1120) in the first transfer position (T1) and can be alternately guided along the outer periphery of the first guide wheel (111) or the second guide wheel (112). A cutting device (100) characterized in that:

2. 2. The cutting device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second follower (128) is mounted in the second guide module (12A) at a fixed distance from the first follower (118) and slidably along a straight or curved guideway or along a straight or curved guide channel (B12).

3. The second guide module (12A) has a first guide wheel (121) and a second guide wheel (122), and the first guide wheel (121) and the second guide wheel (122) are a) rotatably held by an associated bearing device (7); b) circumferentially adjacent to each other at a second transfer position (T2); c) each having an outwardly opening receiving opening (1210, 1220) suitable for receiving said second follower (128); d) rotatable by said tool drive (3) in the opposite direction at the same angular velocity; e) the respective receiving openings (1210, 1220) of the first guide wheel (121) and the second guide wheel (122) are configured to face each other in the second transfer position (T2) after each rotation, so that the second follower (128) can be transferred alternately in the second transfer position (T2) from in each case one receiving opening (1210) to the other receiving opening (1220) and can further be guided alternately along the outer periphery of the first guide wheel (121) or the second guide wheel (122) of the second guide module (12A). A cutting device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it

4. A second guiding unit (1B) is provided, which comprises a first guiding module (11B) and a second guiding module (12B), and the second guiding unit (1B) is formed as a mirror image of the first guiding unit (1A) with respect to the configuration of the guide wheels (111, 112, 121, 122) provided on the second guiding unit (1B) and is arranged parallel to the first guiding unit (1A), so that the cutting tool (2) can be moved in a direction parallel to the first guiding unit (1A).

4. A cutting device (100) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it is held between the first guiding unit (1A) and the second guiding unit (1B) and is connected by the first connection part (21) to the coaxially aligned first follower (118) of the first guiding unit (1A) and the second guiding unit (1B) and is connected by the second connection part (22) to the second follower (128) of the first guiding unit (1A) and the second guiding unit (1B).

5. A cutting device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least a generally V-shaped first guide collar (1111, 1211) is arranged in the receiving opening (1110, 1210) of the first guide wheel (111, 121), and at least a generally V-shaped second guide collar (1121, 1221) is arranged in the receiving opening (1120, 1220) of the second guide wheel (112), the first guide collar (1111, 1211) protruding beyond the first guide wheel (111, 121) and engaging within the second guide collar (1121, 1221) at the transfer position (T1, T2).

6. A cutting device (100) according to claim 4 or claim 5 relying on claim 4, characterized in that the first followers (118) of the first guiding unit (1A) and the second guiding unit (1B) are connected to each other by a first guiding shaft (1181) and / or the second followers (128) of the first guiding unit (1A) and the second guiding unit (1B) are connected to each other by a second guiding shaft (1281).

7. 7. A cutting device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the guide modules (11A, 11B, 12A, 12B) has a guide plate (115, 125) which serves to support the associated guide wheel (111, 112, 121, 122) and which has a guide channel (B11, B12) extending parallel to the associated guideway, the guide channel (B11, B12) having at least one channel segment (B1, B2) which serves for direct or indirect guiding of the associated follower (118, 128).

8. 8. A cutting device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that a first channel segment (B1) is provided for receiving an end portion of the associated follower (118, 128).

9. 9. A cutting device (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that second channel segments (B2) are provided for receiving elongated guide slides (119, 129) connected directly or indirectly to the associated followers (118, 128), by means of which the associated followers (118, 128) can always be guided in a straight line direction through the intersection of the second channel segments (B2) located in the associated transfer positions (T1, T2).

10. 10. The cutting device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first follower (118) and the second follower (128) are connected to the associated first connection part (21) or second connection part (22) or to an ultrasonic transducer (25) that delivers ultrasonic energy to the cutting tool (2) either directly or by means of a bearing block (29).

11. 11. The cutting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the guide wheels (111, 112, 121, 122) of the first guide module (11A, 11B) and the second guide module (12A, 12B) are designed as toothed wheels which positively engage with each other.

12. 12. The cutting device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the guide wheels (111, 112, 121, 122) of the first guide module (11A, 11B) and the second guide module (12A, 12B) form a rectangle or a parallelogram with their axes of rotation.

13. 13. A cutting device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the guide wheels (111, 112, 121, 122) of the first guide module (11A, 11B) and the second guide module (12A, 12B) are connected directly or indirectly to a module of the tool drive (3) or to a force transmission device (31) having a gear or a drive belt.

14. 14. A cutting device (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that the cutting tool (2) is a wire or a wire mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis and connected to a tool motor (211, 221) at one connection (21) or at both connection parts (21, 22), respectively.

15. 13. A cutting device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cutting tool (2) has a blade (200) with cutting edges (201, 202) on one or both sides.

Images