Patent Grant
7789818
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rotary part, in particular a spreader roller for a web-processing machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Spreader rollers are used in web-processing machines to prevent fold formation or sagging on moving material webs by spreading the material webs. Also, spreader rollers are used to enable material webs that are arranged side by side and parallel with each other to run apart laterally. Material webs arranged side by side and parallel with each other can be produced by slitting a wide material web for example.
The spreader rollers known from the prior art usually have a curved and upright core on which several mutually independent roller segments are supported by way of roller bearings in order to simulate a curved roller in several sections.
The previously mentioned spreader rollers are complex in their construction and in their maintenance. Furthermore, on the previously mentioned spreader rollers the curvature is not adjustable.
From U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,227 there is known in addition a spreader roller on which the outer sleeve has respectively one bearing rod fitted to each longitudinal end, each rod being mounted respectively on a so-called double bearing. As there is no connection between the two double bearings, the moment input during bending of the spreader roller must be absorbed by the supports as torsional moment. Simple fixing to the supports is thus impossible.
Furthermore, in the case of spreader rollers of this type, high forces are exerted on the bearing arrangement, which can lead to high wear of the bearing.
What is needed in the art is an improved rotary part, in particular an improved spreader roller.
The present invention is based on the idea of creating a rotary part, in particular a spreader roller, on which the angle of the displacement as well as the size of the displacement (curvature) can be effected independently of the supporting core.
A rotary part, in particular a spreader roller for a web-processing machine, according to the generic notion has a supporting core with a longitudinal axis. In this case the supporting core is supported at its two longitudinal ends. In addition, the generic rotary part has an elastically flexible outer sleeve, which surrounds the supporting core in its circumferential direction and extends, in at least some sections, between the two longitudinal ends of the supporting core.
In the case of the rotary part of the present invention, provision is made in addition for the outer sleeve on the supporting core to be mounted on at least one bearing. In this case the outer sleeve is mounted on the bearing such that the outer sleeve cannot be displaced perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting core.
Furthermore, the outer sleeve is mounted on at least one displacing point so as to be displaceable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting core, wherein the displacing point along the longitudinal axis of the supporting core is set apart from the bearing. Hence the curvature of the outer sleeve is adjustable. Furthermore, the outer sleeve between the bearing and the displacing point is constructed to be elastically deformable in at least some sections.
It is thus possible through relative displacement of the outer sleeve in relation to the supporting core at the displacing point to bring the outer sleeve into a position relative to the supporting core such that the longitudinal axes of the outer sleeve and the supporting core do not coincide at the displacing point and such that the longitudinal axes of the outer sleeve and the supporting core coincide at the bearing. To permit bending of the outer sleeve between the displacing point and the bearing, the outer sleeve is constructed to be elastically deformable in at least some sections.
As the result, the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve between the bearing and the displacing point is curved relative to the longitudinal axis of the supporting core.
In this connection, displaceability and non-displaceability perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting core means that the displacement has a component which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting core at the displacing point or bearing.
The outer sleeve between the bearing and the displacing point is constructed in this case in one piece.
In this connection, constructed in one piece means that the outer sleeve is formed by a continuous material section (either from a single casting or from several material sections joined together) and not by several material sections that are not connected to each other.
The result is a rotary part, in particular a spreader roller, on which the disadvantages known from the prior art are eliminated.
It is also possible, of course, for the outer sleeve to have a displacing component parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supporting core. The outer sleeve can then be compressed in its longitudinal direction, thus enabling a different bending line to be obtained.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, provision is made for two displacing points between which the bearing is arranged. It is thus possible to curve the outer sleeve on both sides of the bearing.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, provision is made for the outer sleeve to have one displacing point respectively at its two longitudinal ends. If provision is made in this case for the bearing to be in the middle region of the longitudinal extension of the outer sleeve, then the outer sleeve can be bent symmetrically in relation to the bearing.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the outer sleeve is rotatably connected to the supporting core at the bearing such that the outer sleeve is rotatably mounted on the supporting core. In this case the rotatable bearing arrangement can be effected by rolling bearings or sliding bearings. As sliding bearings it is possible to use hydrodynamic or hydrostatic sliding bearings or air bearings for example.
The above mentioned feature is an advantage in particular, but not only, when the supporting core is not rotatable about its own longitudinal axis.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the outer sleeve is non-rotatably connected to the supporting core at the first supporting point. This means that a rigid connection between the outer sleeve and the supporting core is created in order to enable the transmission of torque between the supporting core and the outer sleeve and to secure the outer sleeve against shifting in the longitudinal direction relative to the supporting core. The non-rotatable connection between the supporting core and the outer sleeve can be produced by gluing or mechanical bonding for example.
The above mentioned embodiment is essentially usable when the supporting core is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides in addition for at least one supporting point fitted to the outer sleeve or the supporting core and arranged in the longitudinal direction between the bearing and the displacing point, on which the supporting core or the outside sleeve can be brought to rest when the outer sleeve is curved. With the at least one supporting point it is possible to influence the curvature line or bending line of the outer sleeve relative to the supporting core because the minimum distance between the outer sleeve and the supporting core during bending of the outer sleeve is defined by the bearing point. During rotation of the curved outer sleeve, a relative movement between the supporting core and the outer sleeve arises in the region of the second supporting points regardless of whether the supporting core is non-rotatably or rotatably connected to the outer sleeve at the bearing. Hence, it is necessary for the supporting core and the outer sleeve to be rotatably connected here to each other.
In this case the rotatable bearing arrangement can be effected by angle-adjustable rolling bearings or sliding bearings.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, provision is made for the second supporting points to be arranged on both sides of the bearing and between the two displacing points in the longitudinal direction. It is thus possible to establish a curvature of the outer sleeve extending symmetrical to the bearing. By supporting the outer sleeve on a multiplicity of supporting points on both sides of the bearing it is possible to influence very precisely the bending line of the outer sleeve relative to the supporting core.
The position of the outer sleeve relative to the supporting core can be established by, for example, two counter-rotatable eccentric disks which have an influence respectively on the displacing points arranged at the longitudinal ends. In this case the displacement at the displacing points and the non-displaceable bearing arrangement of the outer sleeve on the supporting core induces a moment on the bearing such that the outer sleeve is deformed in accordance with its bending line relative to the supporting core. Another possibility for the displaceable bearing arrangement is to use guides which are displaceable in two planes and can exert an influence respectively on the displacing points arranged at the longitudinal ends. It is also possible, however, for the curvature to be produced by a linear displacement and then to swivel the curved spreader roller around the longitudinal axis of the supporting core.
The adjustment can be actuated hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically or manually.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the relative adjustment is effected by piezoelectric elements incorporated in the outer tube. The incorporated piezoelectric elements can be constructed in the form of piezo fibers for example. When the respective electric voltages are applied, the piezoelectric elements expand and contract at different points of the outer sleeve, causing the outer sleeve to bend.
There are various ways in which the supporting core can be constructed. According to another further aspect of the invention, the longitudinal axis of the supporting core extends straight. Given a straight supporting core it is possible not only for the supporting core to rotate about its own axis but also for the supporting core to be non-rotatable about its own axis.
Another embodiment of the invention provides in addition for the longitudinal axis of the supporting core to extend curved. With this version it is only possible for the supporting core to be non-rotatable about its own axis and for the rotatability of the outer sleeve to be effected by a rotatable bearing arrangement on the bearing.
To optimize the loadability of the core and to partly define the curvature path it is advantageous for the supporting core to have, in at least some sections, a cross-sectional shape that changes along its longitudinal axis, in particular for it to extend conically in at least some sections.
To minimize vibrations of the rotary part during operation it makes sense for the natural frequency of the supporting core to be as high as possible. Hence the modulus of elasticity and the supporting core mass must be as small as possible. Tests have revealed that natural vibrations during operation can be nearly entirely prevented when the supporting core is manufactured at least partly from a material with a modulus of elasticity in the range from 10 to 1000 GPa, preferably from 50 to 800 GPa, in particular preferably from 100 to 500 Gpa, and a density in the range from 0.5 to 3 g/cm3, preferably from 1.0 to 2.0 g/cm3, in particular preferably from 1.3 to 2.0 g/cm3.
Preferred materials for manufacturing the supporting core are the following, either alone or in combination: plastics and/or metallic materials and/or composites which are produced in sandwich design and/or in the form of the foams and/or in the form of honeycombs and/or from ceramic material, for example thermosprayed layers, in particular metals, metal oxides and/or thermosprayed plastics or sintered ceramics or the like.
A concrete embodiment of the invention provides for the supporting core to be constructed from a foam and/or honeycomb core which is covered at least in some sections by a fiber composite. To manufacture the supporting core in this case, a foam core is first produced with nearly any possible shape and is then covered by a fiber composite sleeve. The result is a supporting core with a large modulus of elasticity and a small dead weight, which can be realized easily and with nearly any shape.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the outer sleeve has in its longitudinal direction a modulus of elasticity in the range from 0.5 to 1000 GPa, preferably from 10 to 700 GPa, in particular preferably from 50 to 200 GPa, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the supporting core is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the outer sleeve. The result is an outer sleeve which is as flexible as possible in the longitudinal direction. The smaller modulus of elasticity in the longitudinal direction of the supporting core can be obtained, for example, by the fibers in a fiber composite being oriented essentially in the circumferential direction of the supporting core.
In order for the circular section of the outer sleeve not to be flattened too intensively during drawing of the web and curving, it makes sense for the outer sleeve to be deformable in radial direction as little as possible. An embodiment of the present invention thus provides for the outer sleeve to have a modulus of elasticity in the radial direction that is greater than the modulus of elasticity in the longitudinal direction.
The bending line of the outer sleeve can be influenced by changing the material thickness of the outer sleeve such that different bending lines can be established depending on the requirements imposed on the rotary part, in particular the spreader roller. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention provides for the outer sleeve to have a changing material thickness and/or cross-sectional shape in its longitudinal direction at least in some sections. Other possible ways to influence the bending line of the outer sleeve are with the material orientation and/or with the chosen material combination.
The outer sleeve can be manufactured from a plastic and/or a metallic material and/or a fiber composite, either alone or in combination.
Furthermore, the outer sleeve is covered in at least some sections by a covering.
In this case the covering is manufactured from elastomer plastic and/or from thermoplastic material and/or from duroplastic material and/or from ceramic material, either alone or in combination.
To control the properties of the covering it is advantageous for the composition of the covering material to change continuously and/or discontinuously in axial direction and/or longitudinal direction.
A covering with a continuously changing material composition is, for example, a covering which has a continuously changing material composition in radial and/or axial direction, meaning a covering material which has no interfaces in its composition such as is the case with covering material with a layered construction for example. If the covering material has interfaces in its composition, this is referred to as a discontinuous material composition.
A covering material that can be cited by way of example is one which changes its composition in radial direction from a 100% duroplastic material continuously into a 100% elastomer material.
Another covering material that can be cited by way of example is one which is constructed from four layers that are arranged one above the other in radial direction. Similarly it is possible to select a construction made of one and/or more layers, for example 2, 3, 5 or more layers. In this case the first layer is an adhesive layer for connecting the covering to the outer sleeve, the second layer is a fiber composite layer, the third layer is an adhesive layer for connecting the second layer to the fourth layer, and the fourth layer is a ceramic function layer.
In the above example, the fiber composite layer is constructed from a resin component, a hardener component, a fiber component and, optionally, one or more filler components. In this case the resin component can contain epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins and/or cyanate ester resins. The fiber component can contain fibers of the following types, either alone or in blend: glass, carbon, aramide, boron, polypropylene, polyester, PPS PEEK, ceramic and/or carbides such as SiC. Filler components can contain carbides, metals or oxides.
In addition it is possible, for example in the case of a matrix material, for the ratio of resin and hardener component to change continuously.
Furthermore, the above embodiment is configured such that the material composition changes continuously or discontinuously in the longitudinal direction of the covering. This makes sense if the edge zones are exposed to greater stress for example. In this case the edge zones can be constructed from a more wear-resistant material than the other regions.
The surface of a spreader roller has to perform different tasks depending on the application. To be able to achieve the best possible spreading effect, the adhesion of the material web should be as good as possible, which in turn requires a rough surface of the covering. To minimize the inclination of the covering toward soiling, the surface of the covering should be as smooth as possible. Twenty tests have revealed that the best results are achieved when the surface of the covering has a roughness in the range from Ra=0.001 to 100 um, preferably Ra−0.001 to 50 um, in particular preferably Ra=0.03 to 20 um.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the surface has, in at least some sections, helically and/or radially arranged grooves and/or through-bores and/or blind bores. This form of embodiment creates grooves for removing air for example. The through-bores can also be evacuated.
To drive the rotary part, provision is made for the supporting core to be driven and the torque transmitted via the bearing to the outer sleeve which is non-rotatably connected to the supporting core. If the outer sleeve is rotatably connected to the supporting core, it makes sense for the outer sleeve to be driven directly by a V-belt drive or toothed-belt drive or chain drive or gear drive.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
The spreader roller 1 has a supporting core 2 with a longitudinal axis 3. The supporting core 2 is rotatable about a straight longitudinal axis 3. In this case the supporting core 2 is rotatably mounted on rolling bearings 15 in the region of its two longitudinal ends 16.
The supporting core 2 is surrounded in the direction of its longitudinal axis 3, in at least some sections, by an outer sleeve 4 with a covering 5. The outer sleeve 4 has a longitudinal axis 8 about which it can be rotated.
The supporting core 2 in the embodiment in question is constructed as a composite body with a foam core 17 and a fiber composite sleeve 14 surrounding the foam core.
In the embodiment in question, the outer sleeve is constructed as a hollow body.
As is evident from
In the embodiment in question, the outer sleeve 4 is manufactured as one piece from a flexible fiber composite material.
The covering 5 in the embodiment in question is constructed from four layers that are arranged one above the other in radial direction. In this case the first layer is an adhesive layer for connecting the covering 5 to the outer sleeve 4, the second layer is a fiber composite layer, the third layer is an adhesive layer for connecting the second layer to the fourth layer, and the fourth layer is a ceramic function layer forming the surface of the covering 5.
In the region of the bearing 6 (
In the region of the displacing point 7, which in
The bearing arrangement 10 can be adjusted in the x and y direction in this case by way of two spindle mechanisms which are offset by 90° to each other. The spindle mechanisms can be driven in this case by stepper motors which are controlled in turn by an electronic controller in order to be able to establish a variable roller curvature.
To be able to influence the bending line of the outer sleeve 4 in the curved state according to the requirements, supporting points 12 facing the supporting core 2 are arranged on the inside of the outer sleeve 4. The supporting points 12 define, in the case of a curved outer sleeve 4 in contact with the supporting core 12, the minimum distance between the outer sleeve 4 and the supporting core 2, as the result of which the bending line of the outer sleeve 4 is defined.
The bearing 6 is arranged centrally in the longitudinal extension of the outer sleeve 4. The supporting regions 12 are arranged on both sides of the bearing 6 in the longitudinal direction of the supporting core 2.
In the embodiment in question, the spreader roller is driven by way of a drive pulley 18 which is in linkage with a V-belt (not illustrated).
In the region of the bearing 6 (
In the region of the second supporting point 7, the two longitudinal axes 3 and 8 are offset by Δx and Δy to each other on account of the displaceable bearing arrangement 10 of the outer sleeve 4 relative to the supporting core 2. Therefore, on account of the non-displaceable bearing arrangement at the bearing 6 and the displacement by Δx and Δy at the second supporting regions 7 relative to the supporting core 2, the outer sleeve 4 is curved and displaced. As a result, the longitudinal axis 8 of the outer sleeve 4 is curved relative to the longitudinal axis 3 of the supporting core 2.
In the curved state of the outer sleeve 4 the supporting points 12 come to rest on the supporting core 2 and define the bending line of the outer sleeve 4 relative to the supporting core 2. The supporting regions 12 are displaceable in the circumferential direction of the supporting core 2 relative to the supporting core 2. Hence a kind of sliding bearing arrangement of the supporting core 2 on the outer sleeve 4 is formed at the other second supporting regions 12. To reduce the sliding resistance in the region of the other second supporting regions 12 it makes sense for the supporting core 2 to be equipped with a kind of sliding coating at these points.
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2004 026 535 | May 2004 | DE | national |
This is a continuation of PCT application No. PCT/EP2005/051812, entitled “ROTARY PART”, filed Apr. 22, 2005.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20080205867 A1 | Aug 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2005/051812 | Apr 2005 | US |
| Child | 11564036 | US |
