Winding device

Abstract

This winding device comprises: a pressure roller that applies pressure to a winding roll having a web wound thereon; a supporting member that supports one or more rollers including the pressure roller rotatably around first rotational axes that are the respective rotational axes of the one or more rollers; and a bearing that supports the supporting member rotatably around a second rotational axis extending in a direction that intersects the first rotational axes. The bearing is positioned in a central part of the supporting member in the axial direction of the first rotational axes. The second rotational axis extends along an extension surface of the web conveyed between a first roller of the one or more rollers that is positioned on the upstream side in the web conveyance path and a second roller that is disposed one upstream from the first roller in the conveyance path.

Description

Winding device

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a winding device.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-135611 discloses a beam winding control method in which a press roll is pressed against the surface of a beam to wind the beam at a constant yarn layer hardness, and the winding torque, press roll brake, and press roll contact pressure are gradually reduced as the beam yarn layer increases, and when a predetermined beam yarn layer is reached, only the press roll contact pressure is kept constant while the winding torque and press roll brake are gradually reduced.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-114277 discloses a method for winding a rolled thin plate in which, when the rolled thin plate is wound into a coil around a winding shaft, a pressing pressure is applied to the outer surface of the coiled rolled thin plate by an iron roller while winding the rolled thin plate, and the method controls the pressing pressure of the iron roller against the coiled rolled thin plate to maintain a predetermined pressure in accordance with changes in the coil diameter of the rolled thin plate during winding.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a winding device that can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in a web being transported.

[0005] A winding device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a pressure roller that applies pressure to a winding roll on which a web is wound, a support member that rotatably supports one or more rollers including the pressure roller around a first rotation axis that is the rotation axis of the one or more rollers, and a bearing that rotatably supports the support member around a second rotation axis that extends along a direction intersecting the first rotation axis, wherein the bearing is located at the center of the support member in the axial direction of the first rotation axis, and the second rotation axis extends along the extension surface of the web transported between a first roller that is located upstream of the one or more rollers in the web transport path, and a second roller that is arranged one roller upstream of the first roller in the transport path.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a winding device is provided that can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the web being transported.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a winding device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a side view of a winding device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a winding device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing mechanism; FIG. 5 is a four-sided view explaining the operation of a winding device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a winding device according to a second embodiment; FIG. 7 is a side view of a winding device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of a helical roller; FIG. 9 is a four-sided view explaining the operation of a winding device according to a comparative example;

[0008] For example, if there is a difference in diameter between one axial side and the other axial side of the winding roll (i.e., if the winding roll is tapered), when the pressure roller is pressed against the winding roll, the pressure roller tilts to follow the tapered shape of the winding roll. In this case, the pressure roller tilts with the deflection of the arm member, of the pair of arm members supporting the pressure roller, that is located on the side of the winding roll with the larger diameter. In other words, the pressure roller tilts with the side of the winding roll with the smaller diameter as a fulcrum.

[0009] However, when the pressure roller tilts around the smaller-diameter side of the take-up roll as a fulcrum, the length of the transport path between the pressure roller and the pass roller one roller upstream of it becomes shorter on the larger-diameter side of the take-up roll than on the smaller-diameter side of the take-up roll, which may cause wrinkles in the web transported between the pressure roller and the pass roller on the larger-diameter side of the take-up roll. If the web is wound up while it is wrinkled, wrinkles may also form in the take-up roll. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to prevent wrinkles from forming in the web transported between the pressure roller and the pass roller.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a winding device that can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in a web being transported.

[0011] First Embodiment First, a winding device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment is a device that winds up a film 102 transported from a film transport device 100. The film 102 is an example of a "web" in the present disclosure. The film 102 may be any type of film. Examples of the film 102 include electrode films for lithium batteries, plastic films coated with optical functional agents for liquid crystal displays, and films for various sensors. The film 102 may be a metal film in addition to a plastic film. The winding device 10 may also be applied to webs in general, not just films. Below, an example will be described in which the winding device 10 is applied to a film 102.

[0013] The winding device 10 mainly comprises a winding mechanism 12, a frame member 14, a support member 16, a bearing 18, a pressure roller 20, a pass roller 22, a pair of fixing mechanisms 24, a pressing device 26, a sensor 28, and a control device 30.

[0014] The X-axis direction indicates the width direction of the winding device 10, the Y-axis direction indicates the depth direction of the winding device 10, and the Z-axis direction indicates the height direction of the winding device 10. The Z-axis direction is, for example, the vertical direction. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0015] The winding mechanism 12 is a mechanism for winding up the film 102. The winding mechanism 12 includes a winding member 32 and a rotation drive device 34. The winding member 32 is formed in a columnar or cylindrical shape and is disposed with its axis oriented in the X-axis direction. The winding member 32 is rotatably supported around a rotation axis 32A of the winding member 32 by a support mechanism (not shown). The rotation drive device 34 is a device for rotating the winding member 32 and includes a drive source including a motor, a reducer, and the like. When the winding member 32 is rotated by the rotation drive device 34, the film 102 is wound onto the winding member 32, and the wound film 102 forms a winding roll 104 around the outer periphery of the winding member 32.

[0016] The frame member 14 is a member that supports the support member 16 that supports the pressure roller 20. The frame member 14 is formed in a frame shape and has a pair of arm members 36, a first connecting rod 38, and a second connecting rod 40. The pair of arm members 36 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, and each arm member 36 extends along the Y-axis direction.

[0017] The side of each arm member 36 where the first connecting rod 38 is located is the tip end side of the arm member 36, and the side of each arm member 36 where the second connecting rod 40 is located is the rear end side of the arm member 36. Specifically, when viewed from the X axis direction, each arm member 36 is inclined with respect to the Y axis direction so that the tip end side is positioned vertically lower than the rear end side. The first connecting rod 38 and the second connecting rod 40 each extend along the X axis direction and connect a pair of arm members 36 together.

[0018] Shafts 42 are formed on both axial ends of the second connecting rod 40, extending outward in the X-axis direction from the pair of arm members 36. Each shaft 42 is rotatably supported around a rotation axis 40A of the second connecting rod 40 by a support mechanism (not shown). By rotatably supporting each shaft 42, the pair of arm members 36 rotate around the rotation axis 40A of the second connecting rod 40. The rotation axis 40A is an example of a "pivot axis" in this disclosure.

[0019] A support portion 44 is formed on each arm member 36. When viewed from the X-axis direction, the support portion 44 is formed as a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the length direction of the arm member 36 relative to the rotation axis 40A. As an example, the support portion 44 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the arm member 36. The L direction indicates the length direction of the arm member 36. The support portion 44 protrudes vertically upward from the arm member 36. Note that the support portion 44 may be inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the arm member 36. A shaft member 46 extending in the X-axis direction is provided on each pair of support portions 44.

[0020] The pass rollers 22 are rollers that are provided in the transport path of the film 102 and transport the film 102. The pass rollers 22 are cylindrical and disposed with their axial direction aligned in the X-axis direction. A shaft member 46 is inserted inside the pass rollers 22, and the pass rollers 22 are supported by the shaft member 46 so that they can rotate around a rotation axis 22A of the pass rollers 22. The pass rollers 22 are supported by a pair of support portions 44 via the shaft member 46, and are positioned vertically above the second connecting rod 40. A film transport device 100 is disposed vertically above the pass rollers 22. The film transport device 100 has multiple pass rollers (not shown) that transport the film 102.

[0021] The film 102 conveyed from the film conveying device 100 is wound around the pass roller 22. Specifically, the film 102 conveyed from the film conveying device 100 is wound around the pass roller 22 from the rear end side of the frame member 14, and the film 102 wound around the pass roller 22 is led out from the pass roller 22 toward the front end side of the frame member 14. Of the multiple pass rollers including the pass roller and the pass roller 22 included in the film conveying device 100, the pass roller 22 is a pass roller located one position upstream of the pressure roller 20 in the conveyance path of the film 102. The pressure roller 20 is an example of a "first roller" in the present disclosure, and the pass roller 22 is an example of a "second roller" in the present disclosure.

[0022] The support member 16 is a member that rotatably supports the pressure roller 20, which will be described later. The support member 16 extends in the X-axis direction and is disposed vertically below the first connecting rod 38. The support member 16 is provided with a shaft member 48 that extends in the X-axis direction.

[0023] The pressure roller 20 is a roller that pressurizes the winding roll 104. The pressure roller 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is disposed with its axial direction in the X-axis direction. A shaft member 48 is inserted inside the pressure roller 20, and the pressure roller 20 is supported by the shaft member 48 so that it can rotate around a rotation shaft 20A of the pressure roller 20. The rotation shaft 20A of the pressure roller 20 is an example of a "first rotation shaft" in the present disclosure. The X-axis direction, which corresponds to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 20A, is an example of an "axial direction of the first rotation shaft" in the present disclosure.

[0024] The film 102 conveyed from the pass roller 22 is wound around the pressure roller 20 so as to be led from the vertically upper side of the pressure roller 20, through the front end side of the frame member 14 relative to the pressure roller 20, and toward the rear end side of the frame member 14. The film 102 wound around the pressure roller 20 is connected to the take-up roll 104 through the gap between the pressure roller 20 and the take-up roll 104. The outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller 20 is formed from smooth rubber.

[0025] The bearing 18 is a member that rotatably supports the support member 16 relative to the frame member 14. The bearing 18 may be a ball bearing or a roller bearing. The bearing 18 may also be an air bearing or a self-lubricating bearing. The first connecting rod 38 is provided with an attachment portion 50. The attachment portion 50 is provided on the surface of the first connecting rod 38 opposite to the second connecting rod 40. The attachment portion 50 extends vertically downward from the first connecting rod 38, and the bearing 18 is attached to the attachment portion 50 vertically below the first connecting rod 38.

[0026] The rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 extends in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis 20A of the pressure roller 20. As an example, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 20A of the pressure roller 20. In other words, the bearing 18 supports the support member 16 rotatably around the rotation axis 18A extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 20A of the pressure roller 20. The rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 is an example of a "second rotation axis" in the present disclosure.

[0027] The bearing 18 is located at the center of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction. If a plane that passes through the center of the support member 16 and is perpendicular to the rotation axis 20A of the pressure roller 20 is defined as a widthwise central plane 52, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 extends along the widthwise central plane 52 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the widthwise central plane 52 (in other words, within the plane of the widthwise central plane 52). The axial center of the take-up roll 104 is also located on the plane of the widthwise central plane 52.

[0028] Furthermore, if the surface obtained by extending the film 102 transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass roller 22 is defined as an extended surface 54, the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 extends along the extended surface 54 when viewed from the X-axis direction. Specifically, the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the extended surface 54 (in other words, within the plane of the extended surface 54). The extended surface 54 corresponds to a plane that is in contact with the pressure roller 20 and the pass roller 22.

[0029] In this specification, "on a surface" refers to a surface that is not only perfectly perpendicular but also includes an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure. In addition, in this specification, "orthogonal" refers to a surface that is not only perfectly perpendicular but also includes an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0030] Furthermore, the central portion of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction essentially includes not only the center of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction but also a portion of the support member 16 toward the center in the X-axis direction. In other words, as will be described later, the bearing 18 rotates the support member 16 to reduce the difference in the length of the transport path between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22 between the smaller-diameter side and the larger-diameter side of the take-up roll 104, thereby preventing wrinkles from forming in the film 102 transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22. Therefore, as long as wrinkles can be prevented from forming in the film 102, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 may be offset from the exact center of the support member 16 as long as it fits within the central portion of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the shorter the length of the transport path between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22, the closer the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 may be to the exact center of the support member 16.

[0031] Furthermore, when the pressure direction of the pressure roller 20 is defined as the P direction, the film 102 transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass roller 22 (i.e., the transport region 102A) intersects with the P direction when viewed from the X axis direction. As an example, the transport region 102A may be perpendicular to the P direction. The rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 may also be perpendicular to the P direction when viewed from the X axis direction.

[0032] The pair of fixing mechanisms 24 are mechanisms that fix the support member 16 to the frame member 14 in a state where rotation by the bearings 18 is stopped. As shown in Fig. 3, each fixing mechanism 24 is provided across the tip end of the arm member 36 and the end of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the fixing mechanism 24 includes a first engaging portion 56, a second engaging portion 58, an actuator 60, and a linear guide 62.

[0033] The first engagement portion 56 is provided on the support member 16. The first engagement portion 56 is formed by a tapered recess or hole that opens to the arm member 36 side. The actuator 60 is provided on the arm member 36. The actuator 60 is an electromagnetic solenoid having a stator 64 and a slider 66. The slider 66 is supported by a linear guide 62 so as to be movable forward and backward in a direction toward and away from the support member 16. The stator 64 moves the slider 66 forward and backward. A second engagement portion 58 is formed at the tip of the slider 66. The second engagement portion 58 is formed by a tapered protrusion that protrudes toward the support member 16 side.

[0034] When the moving element 66 moves toward the support member 16, the second engaging portion 58 engages with the first engaging portion 56, and the support member 16 is fixed to the frame member 14 with rotation by the bearing 18 stopped. On the other hand, when the moving element 66 retreats to the side opposite the support member 16, the state in which the second engaging portion 58 is engaged with the first engaging portion 56 is released, and the support member 16 becomes rotatable relative to the frame member 14 by the bearing 18. It is noted that the first engaging portion 56 may be formed by a convex portion, and the second engaging portion 58 may be formed by a concave portion or a hole.

[0035] 1 and 2 , the pressing device 26 is a mechanism that presses the arm members 36 in a direction that presses the pressure roller 20 against the take-up roll 104. As an example, the pressing device 26 has a drive source such as an air cylinder or an electromagnetic solenoid, and generates a pressing force F that presses the rear ends of the pair of arm members 36 vertically upward. When the rear ends of the pair of arm members 36 are pressed vertically upward by the pressing force F, a pressing force acts vertically downward on the tip ends of the pair of arm members 36, and the pressure roller 20 presses the take-up roll 104 along direction P. Note that although one pressing device 26 is shown in FIG. 2 , the winding device 10 has a pair of pressing devices 26 that press each arm member 36.

[0036] The sensor 28 is a device that detects the rotation angle of the arm member 36 that rotates around the rotation axis 40A. A rotary encoder, a resolver, a potentiometer, or the like may be used as the sensor 28. The sensor 28 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the arm member 36.

[0037] Control device 30 is electrically connected to pressing device 26, sensor 28, and rotation drive device 34. Control device 30 is, for example, a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Control device 30 receives a signal output from sensor 28 and controls pressing device 26 and rotation drive device 34 based on the received signal. For example, control device 30 controls pressing device 26 to adjust the pressing force F and controls rotation drive device 34 to adjust the winding force on film 102 so that the pressure of pressure roller 20 remains constant even when the pivot angle of arm member 36 changes.

[0038] In addition, the control device 30 may have a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) instead of or in addition to a CPU, or may have a dedicated electrical circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0039] Next, the effects of the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0040] First, to clarify the effects of the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment, a winding device 110 according to a comparative example will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The winding device 110 according to the comparative example is different from the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment described above in that the bearing 18 and the support member 16 are omitted, and a shaft member 48 that rotatably supports the pressure roller 20 is provided on a pair of arm members 36. Furthermore, in the winding device 110 according to the comparative example, the pass roller 22 is provided independently of the arm members 36. A shaft portion 42 is provided on the rear end side of the arm members 36, and the arm members 36 are rotatably supported by a support mechanism (not shown) via the shaft portion 42.

[0041] In the winding device 110 according to the comparative example, if there is a difference in diameter between one side and the other side of the winding roll 104 in the axial direction of the winding roll 104 (i.e., if the winding roll 104 is tapered), when the pressure roller 20 is pressed against the winding roll 104, the pressure roller 20 tilts to follow the tapered shape of the winding roll 104. In this case, the pressure roller 20 tilts due to the deflection of the arm member 36, which is located on the side of the winding roll 104 with a larger diameter. In other words, the pressure roller 20 tilts with the side of the winding roll 104 with a smaller diameter as a fulcrum.

[0042] However, if the pressure roller 20 tilts around the smaller-diameter side of the take-up roll 104 as a fulcrum, the length of the transport path between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22 becomes shorter on the larger-diameter side of the take-up roll 104 than on the smaller-diameter side of the take-up roll 104, and wrinkles 106 may occur in the film 102 transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22 on the larger-diameter side of the take-up roll 104. In particular, the thinner the film 102 is, the more likely it is that wrinkles 106 will occur in the film 102. If the film 102 is wound around the winding member 32 while wrinkles 106 have occurred in the film 102, the wrinkles 106 may also occur in the take-up roll 104. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to prevent wrinkles 106 from occurring in the film 102 transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22.

[0043] 1 and 2, the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a support member 16 that rotatably supports the pressure roller 20, and a bearing 18 that rotatably supports the support member 16 around a rotation axis 18A that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 20A of the pressure roller 20. The bearing 18 is located in the center of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction, and the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 extends along the extension surface 54 of the film 102 that is transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass roller 22 when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0044] 5, when the pressure roller 20 is pressed against the take-up roll 104 in a state where there is a difference in diameter between one side and the other side of the take-up roll 104 in the axial direction, the support member 16 rotates about the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18, causing the pressure roller 20 to tilt in accordance with the tapered shape of the take-up roll 104. In other words, the pressure roller 20 tilts with the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18, which is located at the center of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction, as a fulcrum.

[0045] This reduces the difference in the length of the transport path between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22 between the smaller diameter side and the larger diameter side of the winding roll 104, thereby preventing wrinkles 106 (see FIG. 9 ) from occurring in the film 102 being transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22. As a result, the occurrence of wrinkles in the winding roll 104 can be prevented.

[0046] Furthermore, the closer the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 is to the extension surface 54, the smaller the difference in the length of the transport path between the pressure roller 20 and the pass roller 22 between the smaller diameter side and the larger diameter side of the winding roll 104 becomes.

[0047] In this regard, in the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment, the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the extension surface 54, and therefore, in principle, the length of the conveyance path between the pressure roller 20 and the pass roller 22 can be made equal. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent wrinkles 106 from occurring in the film 102 compared to when the rotation shaft 18A is located away from the extension surface 54.

[0048] Furthermore, in the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment, when a plane that passes through the center of the support member 16 and is perpendicular to the rotation shaft 20A of the pressure roller 20 is defined as a widthwise central plane 52, the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the widthwise central plane 52. Here, the closer the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is to the widthwise central plane 52, the smaller the difference in the length of the conveyance path between the pressure roller 20 and the pass roller 22 on the smaller diameter side and the larger diameter side of the winding roll 104. Therefore, by having the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 located on the plane of the widthwise central plane 52, the occurrence of wrinkles 106 in the film 102 can be more effectively suppressed compared to when the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is away from the widthwise central plane 52.

[0049] Furthermore, the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment has the following advantages in addition to the advantages compared to the winding device 110 according to the comparative example described above.

[0050] That is, the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a frame member 14 that supports the support member 16 via the bearings 18, and a fixing mechanism 24 that fixes the support member 16 to the frame member 14 while stopping rotation by the bearings 18. Therefore, for example, when replacing the winding roll 104, even if the arm member 36 is rotated upward and the pressure roller 20 is separated from the winding roll 104, the fixing mechanism 24 fixes the support member 16 to the frame member 14, thereby preventing the support member 16 from rotating unexpectedly.

[0051] The fixing mechanism 24 also has a first engagement portion 56, a second engagement portion 58 that engages with the first engagement portion 56, and an actuator 60 that engages the second engagement portion 58 with the first engagement portion 56. Therefore, by controlling the actuator 60 with the control device 30, it is possible to switch between a state in which the first engagement portion 56 and the second engagement portion 58 are engaged and a state in which the first engagement portion 56 and the second engagement portion 58 are disengaged. This improves the convenience of the winding device 10 compared to, for example, a case in which the switching is performed manually.

[0052] Furthermore, the first engaging portion 56 is provided on the support member 16, while the second engaging portion 58 and the actuator 60 are provided on the frame member 14. Therefore, by providing the actuator 60, which is a heavy object, on the frame member 14, the rotation of the support member 16 and, ultimately, the tracing operation of the pressure roller 20 tracing the tapered shape of the take-up roll 104 can be stabilized, compared to, for example, when the actuator 60 is provided on the support member 16. It is also possible to prevent the power cable connected to the actuator 60 from affecting the tracing operation of the pressure roller 20. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles 106 in the film 102, compared to when the tracing operation is unstable.

[0053] The winding device 10 according to the first embodiment also includes a pass roller 22 supported by the frame member 14. If the pass roller 22 were provided in the film transport device 100, the following problem would arise.

[0054] That is, when the pressure roller 20 follows the tapered shape of the take-up roll 104, in order to prevent wrinkles 106 from occurring in the film 102, it is desirable that the length of the transport path between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22 be equal on the smaller-diameter side and the larger-diameter side of the take-up roll 104. In principle, to equalize the length of the transport path, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 needs to be located on the extension surface 54 of the film 102 transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass rollers 22. Because the pivot angle of the arm member 36 changes depending on the diameter of the take-up roll 104, if the pass rollers 22 are provided in the film transport device 100, the position of the pass rollers 22 in the film transport device 100 needs to be changed depending on the pivot angle of the arm member 36 so that the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the extension surface 54. However, when changing the position of the pass roller 22 in the film transport device 100, an actuator or the like is required in the film transport device 100, which complicates the configuration of the entire system including the film transport device 100 and the winding device 10.

[0055] In this regard, in the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment, the pass rollers 22 are supported by the frame member 14. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the position of the pass rollers 22 according to the rotation angle of the arm member 36. This simplifies the overall configuration of the system including the film transport device 100 and the winding device 10, compared to when the pass rollers 22 are provided in the film transport device 100, for example.

[0056] Incidentally, because the pass roller 22 is supported by the frame member 14, the pressing force of the pressure roller 20 changes when the tension of the film 102 changes or when the rotation angle of the arm member 36 changes. The farther the pass roller 22 is from the rotation axis 40A, the greater the moment acting on the arm member 36 due to the tension of the film 102, making the pressing force of the pressure roller 20 sensitive to changes in the tension of the film 102. Therefore, in order to stabilize the pressing force of the pressure roller 20, it is best to have the rotation axis 22A of the pass roller 22 as close as possible to the rotation axis 40A, which is the rotation axis of the arm member 36.

[0057] In this regard, in the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment, the frame member 14 is formed with protruding support portions 44 that protrude relative to the rotation shaft 40A in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the arm member 36 when viewed from the X-axis direction, and the pass rollers 22 are supported by the support portions 44. Therefore, by forming the support portions 44 in a protruding shape, the distance from the rotation shaft 40A to the rotation shaft 22A of the pass rollers 22 is reduced, and therefore the moment acting on the arm member 36 due to the tension of the film 102 can be reduced compared to, for example, when the pass rollers 22 are supported at a position farther away than the position where they are supported by the protruding support portions 44. This stabilizes the pressing force of the pressure roller 20.

[0058] In the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment, the film 102 transported between the pressure roller 20 and the pass roller 22 (i.e., the transport region 102A) may be perpendicular to the P direction, which is the pressure direction of the pressure roller 20, when viewed from the X-axis direction. In this case, the tension generated in the transport region 102A due to the winding force of the winding device 10 is perpendicular to the P direction, so that the influence of the tension on the pressure force of the pressure roller 20 in the P direction can be suppressed. In other words, for example, when the transport region 102A is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the P direction, a component of the tension influences the pressure force of the pressure roller 20 in the P direction. However, when the tension is perpendicular to the P direction, the influence of the tension on the pressure force of the pressure roller 20 in the P direction can be suppressed.

[0059] Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the extension surface 54. However, for example, if rotating the support member 16 can prevent wrinkles 106 from occurring in the film 102 or can keep the wrinkles 106 within an acceptable range, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 may be located away from the plane of the extension surface 54, or may be inclined with respect to the extension surface 54 when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0061] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the width direction central plane 52. However, for example, if rotating the support member 16 can prevent wrinkles 106 from occurring in the film 102 or can keep the wrinkles 106 within an acceptable range, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 may be located away from the plane of the width direction central plane 52, or may be inclined with respect to the width direction central plane 52 when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0062] In the first embodiment, the extension surface 54 may be perpendicular to the P direction, which is the pressure direction of the pressure roller 20, when viewed from the X-axis direction. However, for example, as long as the effect of the tension of the film 102 on the pressure force of the pressure roller 20 is within an allowable range, the extension surface 54 may be inclined and not perpendicular to the P direction. Similarly, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 may also be inclined and not perpendicular to the P direction.

[0063] In addition, in the first embodiment, the pressing device 26 is used to rotate the arm member 36, but a rotation device may be used instead of the pressing device 26. The rotation device may have a motor, a reducer, and the like that rotates the arm member 36 around the rotation axis 40A.

[0064] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the pass rollers 22 are supported by the frame member 14 and the winding device 10 includes the pass rollers 22 , but the pass rollers 22 may also be included in the film transport device 100 .

[0065] Second Embodiment Next, a winding device 70 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0066] 6 and 7, a winding device 70 according to the second embodiment differs from the winding device 10 according to the first embodiment in that a shaft member 72 and a helical roller 74 are added. The differences will be described below.

[0067] The shaft member 72 is provided on the support member 16 and extends in the X-axis direction. The helical roller 74 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is disposed with its axial direction aligned with the X-axis direction. The shaft member 72 is inserted inside the helical roller 74, and the helical roller 74 is supported by the shaft member 72 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 74A of the helical roller 74.

[0068] The helical roller 74 has the function of smoothing out wrinkles in the film 102 by applying an expansion force in the axial direction of the helical roller 74 to the film 102 wound around the helical roller 74. The helical roller 74 is effective when the surface of the film 102 has a striped coating film extending in the longitudinal direction of the film 102. A film 102 having a striped coating film is prone to wrinkles between the coating film due to shrinkage of the coating film. In particular, wrinkles are likely to occur between the coating film when the air film between the pressure roller 20 and the film 102 becomes thin. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a helical roller 74 having the function of smoothing out wrinkles is added.

[0069] Helical roller 74 is disposed vertically above pressure roller 20, i.e., one roller upstream of pressure roller 20 in the transport path of film 102. Helical roller 74 is the roller supported by support member 16 that is disposed most upstream in the transport path of film 102. Pass roller 22 is one of the multiple pass rollers, including pass roller 22, included in film transport device 100, that is disposed one roller upstream of helical roller 74 in the transport path of film 102.

[0070] The helical roller 74 is an example of a "first roller" and an "intermediate roller" in the present disclosure, and the path roller 22 is an example of a "second roller" in the present disclosure. The rotation shaft 74A of the helical roller 74 is an example of a "first rotation shaft" in the present disclosure. The X-axis direction, which corresponds to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 74A, is an example of an "axial direction of the first rotation shaft" in the present disclosure.

[0071] The film 102 conveyed from the pass roller 22 is wound around the helical roller 74 so as to pass from the vertically upper side of the helical roller 74 to the front end side of the frame member 14 relative to the helical roller 74. The film 102 wound around the helical roller 74 is then wound around the pressure roller 20 so as to be led out from the front end side of the frame member 14 relative to the pressure roller 20 toward the rear end side of the frame member 14, and the film 102 wound around the pressure roller 20 is connected to the take-up roll 104 through a gap between the pressure roller 20 and the take-up roll 104.

[0072] If the plane extending from the film 102 transported between the helical roller 74 and the pass rollers 22 is defined as the extension plane 54, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 extends along the extension plane 54 when viewed from the X-axis direction. Specifically, the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the extension plane 54. If the pressure direction of the pressure roller 20 is defined as the P direction, the film 102 transported between the helical roller 74 and the pass rollers 22 (i.e., the transport region 102A) may be perpendicular to the P direction when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0073] 8, the outer peripheral surface of helical roller 74 is provided with ridges 76 that are spiral around rotation axis 74A of helical roller 74. For example, by forming the outer peripheral surface of helical roller 74 from two types of rubber with different hardness, ridges 76 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of helical roller 74. Due to the difference in the way the two types of rubber compress, an expansion force acts on film 102 in the axial direction of helical roller 74, thereby smoothing out wrinkles.

[0074] Specifically, the protrusions 76 include a first protrusion 76A and a second protrusion 76B. The first protrusion 76A is provided from the axial center of the helical roller 74 to one end, and the second protrusion 76B is provided from the axial center of the helical roller 74 to the other end. The first protrusion 76A and the second protrusion 76B are formed in a spiral shape wound in opposite directions. The first protrusion 76A is formed in a spiral shape wound from the axial center of the helical roller 74 toward one end as the helical roller 74 rotates, and the second protrusion 76B is formed in a spiral shape wound from the axial center of the helical roller 74 toward the other end as the helical roller 74 rotates.

[0075] Next, the effects of the winding device 70 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0076] As described above in detail, the winding device 70 according to the second embodiment includes the support member 16 that rotatably supports the pressure roller 20 and the helical roller 74, and the bearing 18 that rotatably supports the support member 16 around the rotation axis 18A that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 74A of the helical roller 74. The bearing 18 is located in the center of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction, and the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 extends along the extension plane 54 of the film 102 that is transported between the helical roller 74 and the pass roller 22 when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0077] Therefore, when the pressure roller 20 is pressed against the take-up roll 104 in a state where there is a difference in diameter between one axial side and the other axial side of the take-up roll 104, the support member 16 rotates about the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18, causing the pressure roller 20 and the helical roller 74 to tilt in accordance with the tapered shape of the take-up roll 104. In other words, the pressure roller 20 and the helical roller 74 tilt with the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18, which is located at the center of the support member 16 in the X-axis direction, as a fulcrum.

[0078] This reduces the difference in the length of the transport path between helical roller 74 and pass rollers 22 between the small-diameter side and the large-diameter side of winding roll 104, thereby preventing wrinkles 106 from occurring in film 102 being transported between helical roller 74 and pass rollers 22. As a result, the occurrence of wrinkles in winding roll 104 can be prevented.

[0079] Furthermore, the closer the rotation axis 18A of the bearing 18 is to the extension surface 54, the smaller the difference in the length of the transport path between the helical roller 74 and the pass roller 22 between the small diameter side and the large diameter side of the winding roll 104 becomes.

[0080] In this regard, in the winding device 70 according to the second embodiment, the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the extension surface 54, and therefore, in principle, the length of the conveyance path between the helical roller 74 and the pass rollers 22 can be made equal. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent wrinkles 106 from occurring in the film 102 than when the rotation shaft 18A is located away from the extension surface 54.

[0081] Furthermore, in the winding device 10 according to the second embodiment, when a plane that passes through the center of the support member 16 and is perpendicular to the rotation shaft 20A of the pressure roller 20 is defined as a widthwise central plane 52, the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is located on the plane of the widthwise central plane 52. Here, the closer the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is to the widthwise central plane 52, the smaller the difference in the length of the conveyance path between the helical roller 74 and the pass rollers 22 on the smaller-diameter side and the larger-diameter side of the winding roll 104. Therefore, by having the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 located on the plane of the widthwise central plane 52, the occurrence of wrinkles 106 in the film 102 can be more effectively suppressed compared to when the rotation shaft 18A of the bearing 18 is away from the widthwise central plane 52.

[0082] Furthermore, in winding device 70 according to the second embodiment, helical roller 74 is disposed between pressure roller 20 and pass roller 22 in the transport path of film 102, and a helical ridge 76 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of helical roller 74, spiraling around rotation axis 74A of helical roller 74. Therefore, the helical ridge 76 exerts an expanding force in the axial direction of helical roller 74 on film 102 wound around helical roller 74, and therefore, compared to a case where helical roller 74 is not present, the occurrence of wrinkles in film 102 as it is transported to pressure roller 20 can be suppressed.

[0083] In the winding device 70 according to the second embodiment, the film 102 transported between the helical roller 74 and the pass roller 22 (i.e., the transport region 102A) may be perpendicular to the P direction, which is the pressure direction of the pressure roller 20, when viewed from the X-axis direction. In this case, the tension generated in the transport region 102A is perpendicular to the P direction, so that the tension can be prevented from affecting the pressure force of the pressure roller 20 in the P direction. In other words, for example, when the transport region 102A is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the P direction, a component of the tension affects the pressure force of the pressure roller 20 in the P direction. However, when the tension is perpendicular to the P direction, the tension can be prevented from affecting the pressure force of the pressure roller 20 in the P direction.

[0084] Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described.

[0085] In the second embodiment, the pressure roller 20 and the helical roller 74 are supported on the support member 16, but rollers other than the pressure roller 20 and the helical roller 74 may also be supported on the support member 16. Furthermore, when three or more rollers including the pressure roller 20 and the helical roller 74 are supported on the support member 16, the extension surface 54 may be an extension surface of the film 102 transported between the pass roller 22 and a first roller located most upstream of the three or more rollers in the transport path of the film 102.

[0086] Furthermore, when the support member 16 supports three or more rollers including the pressure roller 20 and the helical roller 74, the helical roller 74 may be the first roller among the three or more rollers that is located most upstream in the transport path of the film 102, or it may be a roller that is positioned between the first roller and the pressure roller 20.

[0087] In addition, in the second embodiment, a first protrusion portion 76A and a second protrusion portion 76B are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the helical roller 74, but either one of the first protrusion portion 76A or the second protrusion portion 76B may be provided over the entire axial length of the helical roller 74.

[0088] Also, in the second embodiment, the modified examples described in the first embodiment may be adopted.

[0089] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various modifications within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0090] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-151596, filed on September 19, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0091] The following appendices are disclosed regarding the present disclosure. (Appendix 1) A pressure roller (20) that applies pressure to a winding roll (104) around which a web (102) is wound, a support member (16) that rotatably supports one or more rollers (20 or 20, 74) including the pressure roller (20) around a first rotation axis (20A or 20A, 74A) that is the rotation axis of the one or more rollers (20 or 20, 74), and a bearing (18) that rotatably supports the support member (16) around a second rotation axis (18A) that extends along a direction intersecting the first rotation axis (20A or 20A, 74A), the bearing (18) being located at a center of the support member (16) in the axial direction of the first rotation axis (20A or 20A, 74A), The winding device (10, 70) according to Appendix 1, wherein the second rotation shaft (18A) extends along an extension surface (54) of the web (102) transported between a first roller (20 or 74) of the one or more rollers (20 or 20, 74) located upstream of a transport path of the web (102) and a second roller (22) located one roller upstream of the first roller (20 or 74) in the transport path. (Appendix 2) The winding device (10, 70) according to Appendix 1, wherein the second rotation shaft (18A) is located on the plane of the extension surface (54). (Supplementary Note 3) The winding device (10, 70) according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the second rotation shaft (18A) extends along the widthwise central plane (52), where the plane passing through the center of the support member (16) and perpendicular to the first rotation shaft (20A or 20A, 74A) is defined as the widthwise central plane (52). (Supplementary Note 4) The winding device (10, 70) according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the second rotation shaft (18A) is located on the widthwise central plane (52). (Supplementary Note 5) The winding device (10, 70) according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the web (102) transported between the first roller (20 or 74) and the second roller (22) intersects with the pressure direction of the pressure roller (20) when viewed from the axial direction.(Supplementary Note 6) The winding device (10, 70) according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, comprising: a frame member (14) that supports the support member (16) via the bearing (18); and a fixing mechanism (24) that fixes the support member (16) to the frame member (14) in a state where rotation by the bearing (18) is stopped. (Supplementary Note 7) The winding device (10, 70) according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the fixing mechanism (24) has a first engagement portion (56), a second engagement portion (58) that engages with the first engagement portion (56), and an actuator (60) that engages the second engagement portion (58) with the first engagement portion (56), the first engagement portion (56) being provided on the support member (16), and the second engagement portion (58) and the actuator (60) being provided on the frame member (14). (Supplementary Note 8) The winding device (70) according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, further comprising an intermediate roller (74) arranged between the pressure roller (20) and the second roller (22) in the conveying path, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller (74) is provided with a spiral protrusion (76) around a rotation axis (74A) of the intermediate roller (74). (Supplementary Note 9) The winding device (70) according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the one or more rollers (20, 74) include the pressure roller (20) and the intermediate roller (74). (Supplementary Note 10) The winding device (10, 70) according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, further comprising a frame member (14) that supports the support member (16) via the bearing (18), wherein the second roller (22) is supported by the frame member (14). (Appendix 11) The winding device (10, 70) described in Appendix 10, wherein the frame member (14) has an arm member (36) that rotates around a rotation axis (40A), and the frame member (14) is formed with a protruding support portion (44) that protrudes in a direction intersecting the length direction of the arm member (36) relative to the rotation axis (40A) when viewed from the axial direction, and the second roller (22) is supported by the support portion (44).

Claims

1. A winding device comprising: a pressure roller which applies pressure to a winding roll around which a web is wound; a support member which rotatably supports one or more rollers including the pressure roller around a first axis which is the axis of rotation of the one or more rollers; and a bearing which rotatably supports the support member around a second axis which extends along a direction intersecting the first axis of rotation, the bearing being located at a central portion of the support member in the axial direction of the first axis of rotation, and the second axis of rotation extending along an extension surface of the web which is transported between a first roller among the one or more rollers which is located upstream of a transport path for the web, and a second roller which is arranged one roller upstream of the first roller on the transport path.

2. The winding device according to claim 1, wherein the second rotation shaft is located on the plane of the extension surface.

3. A winding device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when a plane passing through the center of the support member and perpendicular to the first rotation shaft is defined as a widthwise central plane, the second rotation shaft extends along the widthwise central plane.

4. The winding device according to claim 3, wherein the second rotating shaft is positioned on the widthwise central plane.

5. A winding device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the web transported between the first roller and the second roller intersects with the pressure direction of the pressure roller when viewed from the axial direction.

6. A winding device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: a frame member that supports the support member via the bearing; and a fixing mechanism that fixes the support member to the frame member while stopping rotation by the bearing.

7. A winding device as described in claim 6, wherein the fixing mechanism has a first engagement portion, a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion, and an actuator that engages the second engagement portion with the first engagement portion, the first engagement portion being provided on the support member, and the second engagement portion and the actuator being provided on the frame member.

8. A winding device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an intermediate roller disposed between the pressure roller and the second roller in the conveying path, the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller being provided with a spiral ridge portion around the rotation axis of the intermediate roller.

9. The winding device according to claim 8, wherein the one or more rollers include the pressure roller and the intermediate roller.

10. A winding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a frame member which supports the support member via the bearing, and the second roller is supported by the frame member.

11. A winding device as described in claim 10, wherein the frame member has an arm member that rotates around a pivot axis, the frame member is formed with a protruding support portion that, when viewed from the axial direction, protrudes in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the arm member relative to the pivot axis, and the second roller is supported by the support portion.

Images