Device for defining the circumference of a sheet-metal cylinder produced from a sheet-metal section

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for defining the circumference of a sheet-metal cylinder (2), which is produced from a sheet-metal section by rounding, for welding said sheet-metal cylinder to form a container body. It comprises a multiplicity of guide rollers (3) which are arranged in the manner of a ring and enclose a passage opening (4) for the sheet-metal cylinder (2). The guide rollers (3) are supported by a support structure (5), the geometry of which can be adjusted in such a way that the passage opening (4) enclosed by the guide rollers (3) can be changed by adjusting the geometry of the support structure (5). Regions (6a, 6b) of the support structure (5) which support guide rollers (3) are connected to the rest of the support structure via one or more solid joints (8), and the geometry of the support structure (5) is adjusted in that these regions (6a, 6b) are moved with respect to the rest of the support structure using the solid joints (8). Such devices are simple and cost-effective to produce and maintain, and they make it possible, with a relatively simple support structure, to keep the geometry of the passage openings delimited by the guide rollers very close to the ideal body geometry with each adjustment.

Description

[0001] Device for determining the circumference of a sheet metal cylinder made from a sheet metal section

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] The invention relates to a device for determining the circumference of a sheet metal cylinder produced by rounding a sheet metal section according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] background

[0005] When welding the seam of container sides, the aim is generally to achieve the smallest possible overlap of the sheet metal edges of the cylinder formed from a single sheet metal section, which, after welding, constitutes the container side, in order to obtain a compact seam. However, there is a risk that the pressure of the roller electrodes of the resistance welding machine, combined with the softening of the sheet metal at the weld point within the overlap, will cause the sheet metal edges to deflect laterally and slip apart. To prevent this, the circumference of the sheet metal cylinder in the welding area is fixed by a device that forms a passage opening for the sheet metal cylinder consisting of ring-shaped guide rollers.This device is designed for a specific container frame diameter, however, the opening must be adjustable within a certain size range to accommodate variations in the dimensions of the sheet metal sections used.

[0006] According to the prior art, this adjustability is achieved by arranging the guide rollers adjustably in a fixed support structure or by arranging them fixedly in a support structure whose geometry is modifiable. The latter support structures typically have two adjustable halves, which for adjustment are either linearly movable relative to each other or pivotable about joints. Such devices are known, for example, from the publications EP 1 779 963 A2, US 2022 / - 0032405 Al, GB 2 228 700 A, CH 713 905 Al, EP 0 189 805 A2 and WO 2018 / 195674 Al.

[0007] One disadvantage of these known devices is their high manufacturing and maintenance costs. Devices with individually adjustable guide rollers have the further disadvantage of requiring considerable experience to adjust the roller assembly. Devices with support structure halves that are adjustable relative to each other suffer from the additional disadvantage that the geometry of the openings defined by the guide rollers can deviate significantly from the ideal frame geometry, depending on the setting. This can lead to edge contact with the guide rollers and consequently to marks on the container frame. Furthermore, the joints and guides of the support structure can wear out over time.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] The task therefore is to provide a technical solution that avoids the disadvantages of the state of the art entirely or at least partially.

[0010] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1.

[0011] This concerns a device for determining the circumference of a sheet metal cylinder produced by rounding a sheet metal section, preferably for welding the sheet metal cylinder to a container frame.

[0012] The device comprises several guide rollers arranged in a ring-like pattern, thus enclosing or defining a passage opening for the sheet metal cylinder. The guide rollers are supported by a support structure whose geometry is adjustable such that the passage opening enclosed or defined by the guide rollers can be changed by adjusting the geometry of the support structure.

[0013] According to the invention, areas of the supporting structure which carry guide rollers are connected to the rest of the supporting structure via one or more solid joints, and the adjustment of the geometry of the supporting structure is achieved by moving these areas relative to the rest of the supporting structure using the solid joints.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the device, part of the guide rollers are supported by areas of the supporting structure which do not move relative to the rest of the supporting structure when the geometry of the supporting structure is adjusted, i.e., they are fixed.

[0015] The opening enclosed by the guide rollers is advantageously opened radially outwards between two guide rollers to allow a roller electrode of a roller seam welding machine to enter between the two guide rollers. This makes it possible to weld the sheet metal edges of the sheet cylinder directly between the guide rollers.

[0016] It is preferred that the two guide rollers, between which the passage opening is radially open outwards, are supported by areas of the supporting structure which do not move relative to the rest of the supporting structure when the geometry of the supporting structure is adjusted. This ensures that the position of these guide rollers relative to the roller electrodes of the roll seam welding machine does not change when the device is adjusted.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the areas which carry guide rollers and are connected to the rest of the supporting structure via solid-state joints are formed by several separate structural sub-areas, preferably by two structural sub-areas that are structurally essentially identical and arranged symmetrically to the passage opening. Such configurations enable a uniform change in the geometry of the supporting structure.

[0018] These structural sub-areas can each carry one or more guide rollers, depending on the size and complexity of the device.

[0019] In the case that these structural sub-areas carry several guide rollers, it is further preferred that each of the structural sub-areas has several essentially rigid support sections for the guide rollers, which are connected to each other via solid body hinges.

[0020] If the areas which carry guide rollers and are connected to the rest of the supporting structure via solid joints are formed by two structurally essentially identical structural sub-areas arranged in a mirror image to the passage opening, it is preferred that adjusting means are provided with which the two structurally essentially identical structural sub-areas arranged in a mirror image to the passage opening can be adjusted simultaneously in a mirror image to the passage opening.

[0021] Advantageously, these adjusting means each attack the free end of the respective structural sub-area, i.e., each end of these structural sub-areas which is opposite the end to which the respective structural sub-area is connected to the rest of the supporting structure via a solid joint.

[0022] With these previously mentioned designs, it is possible to maintain the geometry of the opening, defined by the guide rollers, very close to the ideal frame geometry in every setting, using a relatively simple support structure. The two structural sections are preferably connected to each other via the adjustment means, preferably in a form-fit manner in the circumferential direction of the opening. This facilitates simultaneous adjustment.

[0023] It is also advantageous if the two structural sections are connected to the rest of the supporting structure via the adjustment means, either force-fit or form-fit. This allows for precise positioning of these structural sections relative to the supporting structure.

[0024] The guide rollers of the device are preferably mounted directly in the supporting structure with axially projecting axle stubs, preferably with a fixed bearing position. This facilitates a cost-effective and compact design.

[0025] Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Further embodiments, advantages, and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to the figures. These figures show:

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first device according to the invention;

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the base plate of the support structure of the device from Fig. 1;

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a top view of the base plate of the support structure of a second device according to the invention; and

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a top view of one of the guide rollers of the device from Fig. 1.

[0031] Ways to implement the invention

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a first device 1 according to the invention for determining the circumference of a sheet metal cylinder produced by rounding a sheet metal section for welding it to a container frame in a perspective view from an oblique angle above. Also shown are the sheet metal cylinder 2 to be welded and the upper roller electrode 11 as well as the associated lower roller electrode 12 of a resistance welding machine used for this purpose.

[0033] As can be seen, the device 1 comprises eight guide rollers 3 (for clarity only three are provided with the reference numeral 3), which are arranged in a ring-like fashion and enclose a passage opening 4 for the sheet metal cylinder 2.

[0034] The guide rollers 3 are supported by a support structure, which is essentially formed by a base plate 5. This base plate 5 is shown in a perspective view without attachments in Fig. 2. The geometry of this support structure is adjustable such that the opening 4 enclosed by the guide rollers 3 can be changed by adjusting the geometry of the support structure 5.

[0035] As can be seen from looking together at Figures 1 and 2, two structurally essentially identical and mirror-image structural sub-areas 6a, 6b of the supporting structure, which each carry two of the guide rollers 3, are connected to the rest of the supporting structure via solid joints 8 and can be moved relative to the rest of the supporting structure to adjust the geometry of the supporting structure 5 using the solid joints 8.

[0036] These structural sub-areas 6a, 6b each have two essentially stiff support sections 9 for each of the guide rollers 3, which are connected to each other via solid body joints 8.

[0037] At each of the free ends of the structural sections 6a, 6b, or in other words, at each end of the structural sections 6a, 6b that is opposite the end to which the respective structural section 6a, 6b is connected to the rest of the fixed supporting structure via a solid joint 8, adjusting blocks 13a, 13b are attached with two screws each, the distance between which can be adjusted by means of a differential thread screw 10 passing through these two adjusting blocks 13a, 13b in a horizontal direction. This also connects the two free ends of the structural sections 6a, 6b to each other in a form-fit circumferential direction of the through-opening 4 under tension and compression.

[0038] By changing the distance between the two adjusting blocks 13a, 13b using the differential thread screw 10, the two structural part areas 6a, 6b can be adjusted simultaneously in a mirror image to the passage opening 4.

[0039] The adjusting blocks 13a, 13b have horizontally extending elongated holes at their lower ends, which are penetrated by fixing screws 14a, 14b, with which these ends are forcefully fixed to the rest of the supporting structure 5. To adjust the distance between the two adjusting blocks 13a, 13b, these fixing screws 14a, 14b must be temporarily loosened.

[0040] As can be further seen, the passage opening 4 enclosed by the guide rollers 3 is radially open outwards between the two upper guide rollers 3. The upper roller electrode 11 of the roller seam welding machine enters this opening, and together with the associated lower roller electrode 12, located inside the sheet cylinder 2, it welds the overlapping sheet edges 15 of the sheet cylinder 2. Alternatively, it is also possible for the sheet edges 15 not to overlap but to be opposite each other, and for a laser welding head to be used instead of the roller electrodes 11, 12, with which the opposing sheet edges 15 are welded together.

[0041] As can be seen from a combined view of Figures 1 and 2, the four upper guide rollers 3, i.e., the first two guide rollers 3 arranged to the right and left of the upper roller electrode 11, are supported by sections 7a, 7b of the support structure 5. These sections do not move relative to the rest of the support structure when its geometry is adjusted; they are therefore rigid. The two uppermost guide rollers 3, i.e., those located immediately to the right and left of the upper roller electrode 11, are supported only at one end, while all other guide rollers 3 are supported at both ends. As shown in Figure 4, these latter guide rollers 3 have axially projecting axle stubs 16 at their ends. These stubs are directly mounted in a fixed bearing position in milled slots 17 in the support structure 5 and secured therein by a locking plate 18.For the sake of clarity, only some of the slots and closure plates are marked with reference numbers.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a top view of the base plate 5 of the support structure of a second device according to the invention, which differs from that shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that this device variant has only six guide rollers 3, wherein the two adjustable structural sections 6a, 6b each carry only one guide roller 3. These are shown here inserted into the base plate 5.

[0043] While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly pointed out that the invention is not limited to these and can also be carried out in other ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for determining the circumference of a sheet metal cylinder (2) produced by rounding a sheet metal section, in particular for welding to form a container frame, comprising a plurality of guide rollers (3) which are arranged in a ring-like fashion and enclose a passage opening (4) for the sheet metal cylinder (2), wherein the guide rollers (3) are supported by a support structure (5) which is adjustable in its geometry such that the passage opening (4) enclosed by the guide rollers (3) can be changed by adjusting the geometry of the support structure (5), wherein areas (6a, 6b) of the support structure (5) which support guide rollers (3) are connected to the rest of the support structure via one or more solid joints (8), and wherein the adjustment of the geometry of the support structure (5) is effected by moving these areas (6a, 6b) relative to the rest of the support structure using the solid joints (8).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein part of the guide rollers (3) are supported by areas (7a, 7b) of the support structure (5) which do not move relative to the rest of the support structure when the geometry of the support structure (5) is adjusted.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the passage opening (4) enclosed by the guide rollers (3) between two guide rollers (3) is open radially outwards to allow a roller electrode (11) of a roll seam welding machine to enter between the two guide rollers (3).

4. Device according to claim 2 and claim 3, wherein the two guide rollers (3) between which the passage opening (4) is radially open outwards are supported by areas (7a, 7b) of the support structure (5) which do not move relative to the rest of the support structure when the geometry of the support structure (5) is adjusted.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the areas (6a, 6b) of the supporting structure (5) , which carry guide rollers (3) and are connected to the rest of the supporting structure via solid joints (8), are formed by several separate structural sub-areas (6a, 6b).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the areas (6a, 6b) of the support structure (5) which carry guide rollers (3) and are connected to the rest of the support structure via one or more solid joints (8) are formed by two structurally essentially identical structural sub-areas (6a, 6b) arranged in a mirror image to the passage opening.

7. Device according to one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the structural sub-areas (6a, 6b) each carry one or more guide rollers (3).

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein each of the structural part areas (6a, 6b) has several substantially rigid support sections (9) for the guide rollers (3) which are connected to each other via solid joints (8).

9. Device according to claim 6 and claim 8, wherein adjusting means (10, 13a, 13b) are provided with which the two structurally essentially identical and mirror-image to the passage opening are adjusted (4) the structural sub-areas (6a, 6b) arranged can be adjusted simultaneously in a mirror image to the passage opening (4).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the adjusting means (10, 13a, 13b) each engage at the free end of the two structural part areas (6a, 6b).

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the two structural part areas (6a, 6b) are connected to each other via the adjusting means, in particular positively interlocking in the circumferential direction of the passage opening (4) .

12. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the two structural part areas (6a, 6b) are connected to the remaining supporting structure via the adjusting means (10, 13a, 13b), in particular force-fit or form-fit.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide rollers (3) are mounted directly in the support structure (5) with axially projecting axle stubs (16), in particular with a fixed bearing position.

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