EP2193854B1 - Method and device for cleaning a processing roller of a processing tool - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for cleaning a machining roller of a machining tool. The machining tool may in particular be a roll-forming tool and the machining roller correspondingly a folding roller. A preferred field of application is the car body manufacture in vehicle construction.

By Rollfalzen sheet metal parts are positively connected with each other by a folding roller leaves a sheet metal flange and this bends. In this way sheets can be joined. For joining, the flange of a sheet metal, usually an outer sheet, is completely folded over completely until it abuts another metal sheet or only at a smaller angle. The crimping is usually carried out in several folding steps, namely one or more pre-folding step (s) and at least one Fertigfalzschritt in which the pre-folded sheet metal flange is pressed against the other sheet. The positive connection of the sheets causes by increasing the moment of resistance at the outer edge a gain in strength and rigidity for the composite sheet and also an improved energy absorption capacity. In order to further improve certain properties of the composite, an adhesive is applied in many applications prior to joining in the joining region of the sheets, so that the sheets are not only positively connected by the roll-folding, but also additionally materially joined in the seaming area. By gluing an increase in the composite stiffness is achieved. If the laminate is a vehicle body or a body part, gluing results in improved crash performance, and vibration and noise damping properties are improved and crevice corrosion in the folder pocket is prevented.

When roll-rolling with adhesive, there is a partial escape of the adhesive along the seam. In the body shop, manufacturers often state that adhesive exits visibly to ensure complete filling of the folder pocket with adhesive. The adhesive leakage leads to contamination of the folding roller and thus to a deterioration of the folding result when the loaded with the exiting glue roll rolls on the sheet metal flange. The folding roller must therefore be cleaned.

The DE 100 012 05 C1 describes the cleaning of a machining roller of a machining tool, in a first embodiment by means of a cleaning device external to the machining tool and in a second embodiment by means of an integrated cleaning device. The external cleaning device comprises a rotationally driven brush roller and axially adjacent thereto a sponge element. For cleaning, the processing roller is placed with its contaminated tread on the rotating brush roller and thereby rotated. For cleaning, the tread must have a relative speed to the brush roller. With regard to the drive or braking device required for generating the relative speed, no statements are made. The integrated cleaning device comprises a cleaning element in the form of a scraper, which is set against the folding roller during roll-folding, and, downstream of the cleaning element in the cleaning process, again a sponge element likewise set during roll-folding. An additional drive for generating the required relative to the cleaning relative speed is not required. The processing tool with the integrated cleaning device naturally requires more space in the region of the roll creasing, which is not always available. Further, the scraper and the sponge member press against the tread of the processing roller. In order to ensure a clean unwinding in the case of a non-rotationally driven processing roller, the contact pressure against the workpiece to be machined must be increased accordingly.

After EP 1 684 920 B1 are arranged on a robotic arm folding rollers for cleaning in a cleaning station and driven there rotationally by means of a friction wheel. During the rotary drive, the contaminated running surfaces of the folding rollers are cleaned with cleaning tools, for example by means of brushes, scrapers or chisels. The friction wheel engages in each case on an end face of the folding rollers. There is a risk that the adhering to the seaming roller impurities are transmitted to the friction wheel and from this constantly back to the seaming roller. Impurities entering the friction wheel may further interfere with the drive from the friction wheel to the seaming roller.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. JP 2009-148776 discloses a cleaning device for a folding roller.

It is an object of the invention to increase process reliability with respect to the cleaning of a processing roll, i. with greater certainty to ensure that the desired cleaning result is achieved.

The invention relates to a method and a device for cleaning a processing roller of a machining tool. In the method, the processing roller to be cleaned is coupled in a drive engagement with a drive rotor external to the processing tool, rotationally driven in drive engagement by the drive rotor, and cleaned during the rotary drive by means of a cleaning tool. According to the invention, the drive is engaged form-fitting. Due to the positive and therefore slip-free drive engagement can be ensured that the machining roller during cleaning always moves with the necessary for the cleaning process peripheral speed relative to the cleaning tool. A monitoring of the rotational movement is therefore not necessary, since the transmission of the rotational movement is ensured by the positive locking with higher security than by frictional contact. The susceptibility to soiling can be significantly reduced, if not eliminated. A drive by means of a friction wheel, unlike a form-fit according to the invention, requires a drive engagement, namely the frictional contact, as close as possible to the running surface of the processing roller to be cleaned, which involves the risk of retransmission of impurities onto the processing roller.

A drive engagement, which is based solely on form fit or at least includes a form fit, can be further moved away from the tread and is fundamentally in relation to the processing role to any location laid, even completely moved away from the processing role.

The machining roller is preferably freely rotatably mounted on the machining tool, either via a shaft rigidly connected to the machining roller or on a non-rotating shaft. In principle, the processing roller can be arranged to be rotationally drivable on the joining tool, but such a rotary drive is not required for cleaning, since the processing roller is driven during cleaning by the drive rotor which is not arranged on the processing tool and is external in this sense. If the processing roller is rotatably mounted on the machining tool via a shaft, the drive rotor for the rotary drive can be coupled via this shaft with the processing roller.

In embodiments with a shaft, a pinion can be connected in a rotationally secured manner to the shaft and the drive engagement of the drive rotor with the pinion can be produced in the form of a meshing engagement. A rotationally driven counter gear forms in such embodiments, the drive rotor. This drive rotor is moved transversely to the axis of rotation of the machining roller in the drive engagement, the tooth engagement with the pinion, radially or tangentially to the pinion. If the drive rotor, while rotatable but otherwise stationary, the machining tool must be moved accordingly to produce the driving engagement of pinion and drive rotor.

In preferred embodiments, the drive engagement is, however, designed so that between the processing roller and the drive rotor no relative rotational movement about the axis of rotation of the processing roller is possible, drive rotor and processing roller in the drive engagement so are torsionally rigidly coupled together. The drive engagement is in such cases a driving engagement, in which the drive rotor entrains the processing roller 1: 1 during its rotary motion. The drive engagement can be produced in particular on an end face of the processing roller, preferably on a free end face, which is freely accessible. This is in most cases the end facing away from a tool head of the tool end face. Such embodiments are opposed when the machining roller is freely rotatably mounted, either on or on a relative to the tool head not movable axis or rotatable shaft, and this axis or shaft on the front end provided for the drive engagement not or at least not obstructive protrudes.

In the positive drive engagement of the drive rotor in the direction of rotation is preferably in a stop contact with the processing roller. The drive engagement, since it is based solely on form fit or at least includes a positive fit, be radially inwardly moved away from the running surface to be cleaned, so that during the cleaning between the tread and the region of the drive engagement always an edge strip on the front side of the machining roller circumferentially free can stay. Impurities, therefore, can not or at least not reach the drive rotor to a significant extent, although this would not even interfere with the drive engagement. In particular, can be prevented with great certainty a retransfer of impurities to the processing roller, impurities should actually get once on the drive rotor. Another advantage of the free on the front side of the processing roller edge strip is that the processing role can be cleaned in this front edge strip with a suitably equipped cleaning tool. Furthermore, the cleaning tool can be arranged unhindered by the drive engagement and therefore in any desired and for cleaning optimal rotational angular position about the axis of rotation of the processing roller. Thus, for example, two cleaning tools, either mutually identical or mutually different cleaning tools, be brought simultaneously or successively at different rotational angle positions for cleaning action on the processing roller. This also applies to designs in which the drive engagement is not made directly with the processing roller, but only over a torsionally rigid shaft with the processing roller.

For cleaning as such, several cleaning methods are considered to be advantageous. With regard to the quality of cleaning, its cost and the time required for cleaning, scraping or scraping is particularly suitable. Another candidate, although with some distance behind scraping / scraping, is brushing or sweeping, preferably with a brush roll. Preferred cleaning candidates are also the pressurized liquid blasting as well as the CO ₂ -pellet-blasting or CO ₂ -snow-blasting based on thermal shock effect, furthermore, also again with smears, a wiping cleaning. It is also possible to use several cleaning methods of different types combined with one another or one after the other. In terms of cost and time, however, it is advantageous when in driving engagement of Processing roller and drive rotor is cleaned in one step after a single cleaning principle.

For the production of the drive engagement, it is advantageous if the drive rotor has an engagement member or the processing roller has an engagement counterpart, which is yielding against an elastic restoring force. The word "or" is used in the usual logical sense as "inclusive or", so includes both the meaning of "either .... or" as well as the meaning of "and", as far as the respective concrete context is not exclusive limited meaning can only result. Relative to the elastic compliance, this means that either only the drive rotor has an elastically yielding engagement member or only the processing roller has such a compliant engagement counterpart. Further, both the drive rotor such an engagement member and the processing roller may include such an elastically compliant engagement counterpart member. Preferably, however, only the drive rotor is equipped with at least one elastically resilient engagement member. The processing roller advantageously has at least one engagement counterpart, which is rigidly formed on the processing roller.

For the elastic compliance, the at least one engagement member can be formed of an elastically yielding material or elastically yielding due to its shape, that is, be material elastic or form-elastic, optionally also both in combination. However, a form-fitting formed with it during cleaning may not yield. More preferably, the engaging member or engagement counter member is elastically yielding, that is supported elastically yielding on the drive rotor or the processing roller. In such embodiments, the engagement member or engagement counterpart may advantageously be formed by a rigid, non-compliant body. The rigid, as a whole movable engaging member or engagement counterpart is in a preferred embodiment in driving engagement with both the drive rotor and the processing roller in each case a stop contact, which transmits the torque required for driving the processing roller from the drive rotor to the processing roller. In such embodiments, the drive rotor in the direction of rotation to stop against the engaging member and the engaging member in the direction of rotation to stop against the processing role, namely their engagement counterpart. If the drive rotor or the processing roller have a plurality of elastically yielding engagement members or engagement opposing members, these can each be individually, independently elastically yielding, preferably movably mounted or jointly resiliently supported on the drive rotor or the processing roller. The said to the at least one engaging member and at least one engaging counter member is preferably also valid for each of several, wherein the torque must be transmitted only from the plurality of common, but advantageously can be transmitted by only one pair in driving engagement.

In order to establish the drive engagement, the drive rotor and the processing roller are brought into pressure contact with each other in preferred embodiments, in which the engagement member or engagement counterpart in the direction of the elastic compliance, i. in the direction of the elastic restoring force yields. If the engagement member on the drive rotor elastically yielding, it is pressed with the restoring force against the processing roller. When an elastically compliant engagement counterpart member is placed on the work roll, it is accordingly pressed against the drive rotor. The drive rotor can be rotationally driven already in the production of the pressure contact, alternatively, the pressure contact can be made first and then only the drive rotor can be rotated. During the rotational movement, which the drive rotor executes relative to the processing roller in said pressure contact, the engagement member or the engagement counterpart snaps or snap due to the restoring force from the pressure contact in the drive engagement. Due to the relative movement, the engagement member and the engagement counterpart find each other for the drive engagement. The engagement counterpart is correspondingly arranged corresponding to the engagement member.

Preferably, the engagement member or the engagement counterpart is or are elastically axially yielding. This direction of compliance is advantageous in particular for the production of the drive engagement on the front side of the processing roller. Preferably, the approach of drive rotor and processing roller takes place in the axial direction to the pressure contact. However, this is not absolutely necessary, so the approach due to the resilience of the engaging member or the engagement counterpart can also be made inclined to the axis of rotation of the machining roller and even radially to the axis of rotation to the drive engagement.

A cleaning device of the invention relates to a cleaning tool for cleaning the machining roller and a rotationally driven drive rotor external to the machining tool, which is couplable to the machining roller in the driving engagement to rotationally drive the machining roller during cleaning. According to the invention, the drive rotor has an engagement member, by means of which the drive engagement can be produced as positive engagement. For cleaning tool, the drive rotor, the drive engagement and the engaging member apply to the procedure. The device is particularly suitable for carrying out the method.

In preferred embodiments, the engagement member projects axially from the drive rotor or is formed by an axial recess on an end face of the drive rotor. In such embodiments, the processing roller has on an end face for the engagement engagement an engagement counterpart, which can protrude axially from the processing roller in order to engage with the engagement member of the drive rotor To be able to form drive engagement, for example, when the engaging member is formed as a recess. More preferably, the engagement counterpart is formed by an axial recess on the end face of the processing roller, so that protrudes in the drive engagement projecting from the drive rotor engaging member into the recess of the processing roller and there in driving engagement in the direction of rotation of the drive rotor against a facing stop surface comes into contact and in stop pressure contact the processing role rotatably driving. Although not primarily preferred, both the engagement member of the drive rotor and the engagement counterpart of the processing roller may axially protrude. However, an engagement counterpart formed as a recess is advantageous because such an engagement counterpart in the processing roller does not take up any extra space that may not be available when machining workpieces. Furthermore, a recess in the usual processing rollers can also be created in a simpler way as a projecting engagement counterpart by a subsequent machining, for example a drilling or milling. The engagement member projects from the drive rotor in a preferred embodiment not only axially, which for example also includes the case that the engagement member protrudes from a peripheral surface initially outwardly, but then projects in the axial direction, but protrudes directly from an end face in the axial direction , Particularly preferably, it protrudes from an axially outermost end face or is formed as a depression on an axially outermost end face. For the axially opposite in the drive engagement machining roller, the same applies.

As already stated for the method, at least one engagement element and engagement counterpart can be yielding against an elastic restoring force, preferably resiliently mounted against the restoring force. It is a compliance transversely to the direction of rotation of the processing roller, the direction of rotation to the axis of rotation of the processing roller tangent. The engagement member or engagement counterpart is or are preferably axially compliant, ie in the case of a compliant engagement member, axially with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive rotor and, in the case of the engagement counterpart, axially with respect to the axis of rotation of the processing roller. Due to the axial compliance of the drive rotor and the machining roller as described in a first step against the restoring force can be brought into pressure contact, from which engages by generating a relative rotational movement between the drive rotor and the machining roller, the engaging member or the engaging counterpart member elastically in the drive engagement. Engagement member and engagement counterpart must be arranged on the drive rotor and the joining roller only corresponding to each other.

To generate the relative rotational movement, the cleaning tool can advantageously be used as a brake for the processing roller in order to ensure particularly reliably that the pressure contact between the engagement member and the processing roller is a sliding contact, from which out the engagement member or the engagement counterpart snaps into the drive engagement, engaging member and corresponding engagement counter member thus find automatically.

If one of engaging member and engagement counterpart is a projection and the other is correspondingly a recess, the recess may be shaped with a slight oversize, but otherwise adapted over its entire circumference to the shape of the Abragung, the Abragung example, as a cylindrical pin, pin or pin and the recess corresponding to a cylindrical cavity. In a modification, the recess may be elongated in the direction of rotation about the axis of rotation of the drive rotor or, preferably, the processing roller, wherein its extension in the direction of rotation should be at least 30%, preferably at least 50% greater than that of the Abragung. It can be shaped, for example, as a slot, groove or slot. The engagement counterpart can be formed directly by the processing roller, for example a roller shell. Alternatively, a lid or attachment may be attached to the end face of the processing roller, which at the same time forms an engagement counterpart alone or in combination with the actual processing roller.

One of the drive rotor and the machining roller may, as already mentioned, comprise a plurality of engagement members or engagement members and the other only a single engagement counterpart or engagement member or preferably also a plurality of engagement counterparts or engagement members, wherein the number of engagement members is preferably equal to the number of engagement counter members. The plurality of engagement members or a plurality of engagement opposing members may in particular be arranged uniformly distributed about the respective axis of rotation. It also corresponds to preferred embodiments, if only a single engagement member and a single engagement counterpart member are provided, which in particular extend centrally, coaxially with the axis of rotation of the drive rotor and with the axis of rotation of the processing roller. However, such a centric engagement member and engagement counterpart must transmit the torque required for the rotary drive, so for example have at least one flat side or be oval shaped in cross-section, in any case they must not be rotationally symmetric over their entire engagement length. The central engagement member and the engagement counterpart can act in particular as known from Allen tools and Allen screws in drive engagement together.

If the machining tool is stationary, the cleaning device must be mobile. In other embodiments, in which the machining tool is arranged on a freely movable in space actuator, for example, docked at the end of a robot arm, the cleaning device may be arranged stationary. Finally, both the processing tool and the cleaning device can each be arranged on its own, freely movable in space actuator, in particular at the end of each robotic arm docked or otherwise secured. The cleaning tool or at least the drive rotor is preferably on a frame mounted in the case of dockability to an actuator in preferred embodiments, a docking device for automatic docking, so for automatic mechanical fastening with simultaneous automatic production of a connection to a supply device for the cleaning device, at least for the rotary drive of the drive rotor, set up is and for this the required media connection, such as for the supply of electrical energy or a fluid or different fluids. Preferably, the drive rotor and at least one cleaning tool are arranged together on a frame, which applies not only to the mobile cleaning device but also to stationary embodiments.

The cleaning tool is preferably movably arranged on a frame of the cleaning device, so that it can be delivered from a resting from the cleaning of the processing role resting position in the cleaning action on the processing role this. A preferred first type of mobility is a pivoting mobility, in particular a pivoting movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive rotor axis. A particularly preferred second type of mobility is a linear mobility orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the drive rotor. An axis of rotation orthogonal to this axis of rotation can either point radially to the axis of rotation of the drive rotor or preferably tangentially to a circle around this axis of rotation. Within the scope of a linear mobility, a movement axis inclined to the orthogonal is conceivable, but an at least substantially orthogonal mobility is preferred.

If the cleaning tool is a scraper, it is advantageous if the scraper at the location of the scraping action on the running surface of the processing roller to a tangent to the tread at this location an angle of at least 20 °, preferably at least 30 °, and at most 90th °, preferably at most 70 °. An angle of attack from this range promotes the infiltration of the adhering to the tread adhesive, oil or other contamination by the scraper, so that the contamination is removed particularly thoroughly from the processing roller. Particularly preferably, the angle of attack is selected from the range of 40 ° to 60 °.

The scraper can be arranged horizontally, vertically or inclined to the horizontal and the vertical in a view on an end face of the machining roller. A horizontal or inclined by no more than 30 ° to the horizontal arrangement favors the removal of the removed from the processing role contamination. In all designs with scrapers, it is advantageous if the processing roller rotates during the removal of the contamination from bottom to top to the impactor of the scraper and a tangent to the horizontal at the point of action to the tread an inclination greater than 0 °, preferably of at least 20 °, and less than 90 °, preferably at most 70 °, so that the contaminant such as glue in particular can drain or drain off quickly.

The cleaning device includes in further developments, not just a single cleaning tool, but several. For example, two cleaning tools can be arranged on a common frame. The arrangement of the cleaning tools can be designed so that the cleaning tools only alternately, so in each case only one is used. Alternatively, the cleaning tool can also be arranged so that at the same time the same processing roller or simultaneously two jointly arranged on the machining tool processing rollers can be cleaned with two cleaning tools. Basically, this also applies to even more cleaning tools, the arrangement can then quickly become very complex.

If the cleaning device comprises two or even more cleaning tools, these cleaning tools can be arranged on a common carrier on the frame, such that, as a result of movements of the carrier, each of the cleaning tools can be selectively brought into contact with the processing roller. The carrier may, for example, be a linear or along a curved path relative to the frame movable carriage or, more preferably, a turntable, by the rotational movement selectively each of the cleaning tools in a cleaning position relative to the drive rotor and thus to the processing roller to be cleaned can be pivoted.

The machining tool may in particular be a joining tool and the machining roller accordingly a joining roller. It is preferably a Rollbördelwerkzeug and the processing role accordingly to a crimping roller. A Rollbördelwerkzeug can only be used for forming, ie for flanging an edge flange of a sheet, a joining does not have to take place. However, the crimping roller is more preferably used for roll-folding, that is to say for the case of use for which the problem of contamination was initially described. However, contamination problems can also occur in a pure beading and also in other joining methods with joining roller, for example in the case of roll welding. The processing roller can also be used in a joining process of another kind only as a pressure roller or roller. Depending on the application, whether as a folding roller, pure crimping roller, other type of roller or just as a holding or pressure roller, the pollution sets in and the cleaning process is adapted to choose. However, the designs for the drive rotor, drive engagement and slip-free external rotary drive for the purpose of cleaning apply equally to all applications.

Preferred features of the invention, both as regards the method and the device, are also described in the subclaims and their combinations.

Figur 1

eine Rollfalzsequenz,

Figur 2

einen Falzbereich zweier Bleche mit in den Falzbereich eingebrachtem Kleber,

Figur 3

ein Bearbeitungswerkzeug mit Bearbeitungsrollen,

Figur 4

das Bearbeitungswerkzeug in einer anderen Sicht,

Figur 5

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Reinigungsvorrichtung für die Bearbeitungsrollen,

Figur 6

einen Antriebsrotor der Reinigungsvorrichtung,

Figur 7

die Reinigungsvorrichtung während der Reinigung einer der Bearbeitungsrollen,

Figur 8

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Reinigungsvorrichtung für die Bearbeitungsrollen,

Figur 9

das erste oder zweite Ausführungsbeispiel der Reinigungsvorrichtung während der Reinigung einer der Bearbeitungsrollen in einer Stirnansicht auf eine Rückseite der Bearbeitungsrolle,

Figur 10

eine Bearbeitungsrolle einer ersten Modifikation,

Figur 11

eine Bearbeitungsrolle einer zweiten Modifikation,

Figur 12

eine Bearbeitungsrolle einer dritten Modifikation und

Figur 13

eine Bearbeitungsrolle einer vierten Modifikation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to figures. The features disclosed in the exemplary embodiments each advantageously and individually form the subject-matters of the claims as well as the embodiments described above, and also in each combination of seasoning corn. Show it:

FIG. 1

a roll-fold sequence,

FIG. 2

a fold region of two sheets with adhesive introduced into the fold region,

FIG. 3

a machining tool with machining rollers,

FIG. 4

the editing tool in a different view,

FIG. 5

A first embodiment of a cleaning device for the processing rollers,

FIG. 6

a drive rotor of the cleaning device,

FIG. 7

the cleaning device during the cleaning of one of the processing rollers,

FIG. 8

A second embodiment of a cleaning device for the processing rollers,

FIG. 9

the first or second embodiment of the cleaning device during the cleaning of one of the processing rollers in an end view onto a rear side of the processing roller,

FIG. 10

a processing role of a first modification,

FIG. 11

an editing role of a second modification,

FIG. 12

a processing role of a third modification and

FIG. 13

a processing role of a fourth modification.

FIG. 1 shows the sequence of a Rollfalzprozesses by which two sheets a and b are joined together along its edge. By Rollfalzen composite components of two or possibly more sheets are created in bodywork, especially attachments such as doors, tailgates, hoods and sunroofs, but also parts of the body shell, for which in particular the folding of wheel arches. When Radhausfalzen also an outer panel and an inner part, which may also be a sheet or a plastic part in particular, connected by roll hemming, the Radhausfalzen can be performed on a side part of a body shell, ie in the Rohkarossenproduktion in the line or on a fender, which is joined after folding with the body shell, so in some respects also forms an attachment, which, in contrast to the other parts, however, after mounting relative to the body shell is no longer movable. In the examples mentioned are usually a Outer sheet and an inner panel connected to each other, wherein the inner panel can also be replaced by a non-metallic part, such as a plastic part. Based on these example cases, the sheet a represents the respective outer sheet and the sheet b represents the inner sheet or optionally a non-metallic inner part of the composite component to be created. For roll-folding, the sheets a and b are brought relative to each other in the joining position shown on the left. In a first Rollfalzschritt an upstanding edge flange c of the sheet a is folded by a certain angle in the joining position, for example by 30 ° by a processing roller 1, in the example a folding roller 1, pressed against the sheet b facing away from the outside of the edge flange c and with its tread 5 along the edge flange c is unrolled. In a subsequent further Rollfalzschritt the already partially folded edge flange c is again rolled over with the same processing roller 1 or optionally another processing role and thereby transferred further, for example, again by 30 °. In a last Rollfalzschritt the edge flange c is rolled over once again with the processing roller 1 or another processing role, so that it is completely folded and pressed with its inner side against an edge strip of the sheet b. The edge strip of the sheet b projects into the folded pocket of the sheet a thus produced. In this way, a form-fitting solid connection of the sheets a and b is created.

In FIG. 2 are comparable sheets a and b in the edge region positively connected by Rollfalzen and cohesively by gluing together. The seam connection can in particular as based on the sequence of FIG. 1 be described generated. In order to increase the strength of the compound even further and to prevent corrosion in the fold area, an adhesive d is applied before the roll-folding in the rebate area of the sheets a and b. Typically, more adhesive d is applied than would be necessary for the firm and tight connection of the sheets a and b, so that during roll-folding, at least in the last step, the finished folding, excess adhesive exits from the seam area. After roll-folding, the fold region, ie the fold pocket formed by the sheet a into which an edge strip of the sheet b protrudes, is sealed with another adhesive e in order to obtain the illustrated sealing seam along the peripheral edge of the folded edge flange c.

When roll-rolling with previously applied adhesive d is deposited during rolling on the folding roller 1 according to adhesive. The adhesive transferred to the seaming roll 1 impairs the result of the fold so that the seaming roll 1 has to be cleaned from time to time.

FIG. 3 shows a Rollfalzwerkzeug with folding rollers 1 and 2. For example, it is assumed that by means of the folding roller 1 in the Figures 1 and 2 represented Falzverbindung has been generated. The folding rollers 1 and 2 are freely rotatably mounted on a tool head 3 about the same axis of rotation D. The folding rollers 1 and 2 are accordingly not rotationally driven on the tool head 3, but roll during folding due to the forward movement of the tool head 3 and the contact pressure on Flange c off. The tool head 3 has a docking port 4 for automatic docking and undocking to and from a movable in space actuator, preferably one end of a robot arm on. The seaming roller 1 has a circular-cylindrical running surface 5, with which it unrolls during roll-folding on the flange c to be folded over. At its side remote from the tool head 3, freely accessible end face, which is exemplified as a substantially planar end face 6, recesses 7 are formed, which are needed for the cleaning of the seaming roll 1. By way of example, at the end face, at 6, two mutually identical recesses 7 are each provided at a radial distance from the axis of rotation D and offset by 180 ° relative to each other about the axis of rotation D. Likewise by way of example, the depressions 7 each have the same spacing from the axis of rotation D. The end face 6, in which the recesses 7 are arranged, is radially at the level of the recesses 7 in the direction of rotation between the recesses 7 everywhere plan. The recesses 7 are arranged at the end face, at 6, radially at a distance from the running surface 5, so that around the recesses 7 completely around the rotation axis D encircling up to the tread 5 outside an edge strip remains, which helps that none of the Processing stemming pollution, in the example, in particular adhesive, can reach up to the wells 7. If this can not be completely prevented, however, the extent of any transfer due to the radial distance from the tread 5 is negligible.

In FIG. 4 the same Rollfalzwerkzeug 1-4 is shown in another perspective view, in which the freely accessible from the outside end face 6 of the other folding roller 2 can be seen. The seaming roller 2 has a conical running surface 8 and furthermore a freely accessible end face 6 facing away from the tool head 3, on which depressions 7 like those of the seaming roller 1 are also formed. With regard to the recesses 7, the statements on the folding roller 1 also apply to the folding roller 2. The folding roller 2 can, for example, in the basis of the Figures 1 and 2 explained Rollfalz- and gluing process instead of the seaming roll 1 depending on the angle of their conical tread 8 to the rotation axis D, are used to carry out the first or second Rollfalzschritts.

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of a cleaning device for cleaning the folding rollers 1 and 2. The cleaning device comprises a cleaning tool 11 for the seaming roller 1 and another cleaning tool 12 for the folding roller 2. The cleaning tools 11 and 12 are scrapers for scraping removal of the folding rollers. 1 and 2 adhering soils, in particular glue. The cleaning tools 11 and 12 each have at a free projecting end a sharp doctor blade, with which they can be fed against the respectively to be cleaned folding roller 1 or 2 in order to scrape off the contamination. The cleaning tools 11 and 12 are for delivery to the respective folding roller 1 or 2 and after cleaning for stopping this folding roller 1 or 2 on a frame 10 of the cleaning device between a feed or cleaning position and a parking or rest position back and forth movable stored. In the embodiment, they are arranged orthogonal to the axis of rotation D of that folding roller movable on the frame 10, which is positioned in a cleaning position relative to the cleaning device; in FIG. 1 This is the folding roller 1. Orthogonal to the axis of rotation D of the positioned folding roller, either the folding roller 1 or the folding roller 2, means that the scrapers 11 and 12 are movable radially to the rotation axis D or as in the embodiment tangentially to a circle about the rotation axis D imaginary circle are arranged. The feeding and Abstellbewegung could alternatively be a pivoting movement. The linear guided mobility of the cleaning tools 11 and 12 has cost advantages and claimed due to the compact linear guide and the simple linear actuator for the on and off little space. The supply and Abstellbewegung is effected by means of a supply and Abstelleinrichtung 13, ie a supply and Abstelleinrichtung 13 per cleaning tool 11 and 12. The supply and Abstelleinrichtungen 13 are the same and each comprise a piston-cylinder unit, preferably a pneumatic unit or an electromotive unit whose linearly movable part in the direction of linear mobility, preferably in each direction, is fixedly connected to a respective carriage 14. The cleaning tools 11 and 12 are arranged on the carriage 14 of the respective associated supply and storage device 13.

The cleaning device further comprises a drive device, by means of which the folding roller 1 or 2 to be cleaned is rotatably driven about its axis of rotation D during cleaning. The folding rollers 1 and 2 are freely rotatably mounted on the tool head 3, as already mentioned. The drive device comprises a drive motor 15, which may be formed in particular as an electric rotary motor or as a pneumatic rotary motor, and a drive rotor 16 which is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis R and is rotatably driven about this axis of rotation R by the motor 15. The drive rotor 16 projects axially, i. in front of its axis of rotation R free. The axis of rotation R is orthogonal to the axis of mobility of the cleaning tools 11 and 12.

On a free end face of the drive rotor 16, pin-shaped engagement members 17 protrude axially, ie, parallel to the axis of rotation R of the drive rotor 16. For the rotary drive of the folding roller 1 or 2 to be cleaned, the drive rotor 16 is coupled by means of its engagement members 17 with the folding roller 1 or 2 to be cleaned in a form-locking drive engagement. In the drive engagement form the recesses 7 of the respective folding roller 1 or 2 ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) Engagement counter members for the engagement members 17, so that each of the engagement members 17 is coupled to exactly one of the engagement counter members 7 in the drive engagement. In the exemplary embodiment, the drive rotor 16 has two engagement members 17 corresponding to the number of engagement counterparts or depressions 7. The two engagement members 17 are like the two wells 7 equal to each other. They are arranged corresponding to the recesses or engagement counter members 7, namely at a radial distance from the axis of rotation R and offset by the rotation axis R by 180 ° to each other. The offset of the engagement members 17 and engagement members 7 may in principle, although from the 180 ° offset However, in the case of two engagement and engagement members 17 and 7 differ, a rotationally symmetrical arrangement with respect to the axes D and R is preferred, even in embodiments with more than two engagement members.

In FIG. 5 a moment of the positioning and coupling process is shown, in which the tool head 3 relative to the cleaning device, in particular relative to the drive rotor 16, so moved and positioned by automatically adjusts the drive engagement at the end of this approach maneuver. In the exemplary embodiment, the cleaning device is arranged stationary, and the tool head 3 is fastened by means of its docking port 4 to a docking port of a movable in space actuator 9, for example, an end of a robot arm. The actuator 9 is controlled by a motion control during the approach maneuver so that at the end of the approach maneuver the drive engagement only due to the interaction of the respective folding roller 1 or 2 with the drive rotor 16, ie without external aids adjusts.

As part of the approach maneuver, the tool head 3 is positioned so that the axis of rotation D of the folding roller 1 is aligned with the axis of rotation R of the drive rotor 16. In the next phase of the approach maneuver, the tool head 3 is moved axially with the folding roller 1 facing the drive rotor 16 in the direction of the drive rotor 16. During this axial approach movement, the engagement members 17 come into axial pressure contact with the end face 6 of the folding roller 1 (FIG. FIG. 3 ), ie with that end face in which the engagement counter-parts or depressions 7 are arranged. If the engagement members 17 with the recesses 7 in the direction of rotation T are already completely in overlap, the axial engagement movement of the drive engagement would be made by itself. However, this is likely to apply only in exceptional cases, rather, it is to be expected that the engagement members 17 have a rotation angle offset to the recesses 7 and therefore initially come into a pressure contact with the end face 6 in the context of the axial approach movement.

Once the pressure contact is made or even before, the drive rotor 16 is rotated. If the drive rotor 16 rotates relative to the folding roller 1, the engagement members 17 slide in pressure contact over the end face 6 of the folding roller 1, into the overlap with one of the recesses 7 in order to retract into the recesses 7 at this moment and thereby produce the drive engagement. Depending on the inertia of the seaming roller 1, the compressive force acting in the sliding contact and the frictional properties of the surfaces in contact, the relative rotational movement required for the production of the drive engagement will be established or else the seaming roller 1 will be entrained. To prevent a take away, the folding roller 1 can be braked, for example by a braking device of the tool head 3 or, One of the cleaning tools 11 and 12 or both can be used to brake the folding roller 1 against the running surface 5 of the folding roller 1 in pressure contact with the drive rotor 16 be delivered or previously be in pressure contact.

The engagement members 17 may be rigidly, ie immovably arranged on the drive rotor 16. Relative to the drive rotor 16 immovable engaging members 17 would require that the drive rotor 16 as a whole is axially movable, for example by means of an additional linear drive, or that the actuator 9 axially moves the tool head 3 with the seaming roller 1 in the direction of the drive rotor when the overlap in Gleitdruckkontakt is made. For such a manner of producing the drive engagement, it would be advantageous if the engagement counter members 7 were not round bores with only slight oversize to the engagement members 17, but extended in the direction of rotation T long holes, so that in the context of the relative rotational movement between folding roller 1 and drive rotor 16 sufficient Time remains for the positive coupling in the drive engagement. In yet another modification, the position of the engagement members 17 may be determined relative to the engagement mating members 7 by means of at least one optical sensor when the drive rotor 16 is rotating or approaching standstill, and the approach is controlled to drive engagement from the sensor output signal. The sensor is connected to a corresponding motion control, which would be provided on the side of the actuator 9 or the drive rotor 16 comprehensive drive means. A motion control connected with corresponding sensors can comprise, for example, an image processing device. If a movement control is used with a sensor system for determining the position which the drive rotor 16 and the seaming roller 1 have relative to one another, it is possible to dispense with the production of said sliding pressure contact. In particular, the position can be detected optically, but the invention is not restricted to an optical sensor system, so alternatively, for example, an ultrasonic sensor system can also be used. If the drive engagement is produced by means of motion control and if a sliding pressure contact is to be dispensed with, the drive rotor is expediently included in the motion control by setting the rotational angular position of the drive rotor to the rotational angular position of the processing roller. Relative to the embodiment with the eccentric engagement members 17, this means that their rotational angular position is adjusted to the engagement counter-members 7 by a corresponding relative rotational movement of the drive rotor 16. Even when using a movement control for the approach maneuver to be cleaned seaming roller 1 or 2 by means of one of the cleaning tools 11 or 12 or optionally also two cleaning tools 11 and 12 are stopped when they occupy the cleaning position. The same applies to the case that the folding roller to be cleaned by means of a movement control moved to its cleaning position, but the drive engagement is then made via a sliding pressure contact between the respective folding roller 1 or 2 and the drive rotor 16.

More preferably, however, the engagement members 17 are arranged axially reciprocatingly on the drive rotor 16 and are pressed axially against the folding roller 1, in the embodiment against their end face 6, by means of an elastic restoring force. To generate the restoring force, the engagement members 17 are axially resiliently mounted on the drive rotor 16. The axially resilient mounting is preferably realized by means of a mechanical spring device, but could alternatively be realized, for example, by a pneumatic spring device. The engagement members 17 may be supported by means of a common spring means, preferably mechanical spring means, axially resiliently on the drive rotor 16. In the exemplary embodiment, they are supported individually resiliently as preferred, i. the spring device is formed by a plurality of springs which each store one of the engaging members 17 each resiliently. By the spring means they are viewed from the drive rotor 16 from the free end face also stretched axially outwards, in the direction of the approaching or already positioned folding roller 1 to. Rotates the drive rotor 16 in pressure contact relative to the folding roller 1, snap the engagement members 17 due to the resilient storage automatically in the driving engagement with the engagement counterparts 7, as soon as they have come into sliding contact with the engagement counter-members 7. Once the pressure contact between the drive rotor 16 and the seaming roller 1 is established, more precisely between the engagement members 17 and the seaming roller 1, only the rotational movement of the drive rotor 16 is required, but no further approach maneuver of the actuator 9 and no axial mobility of the drive rotor 16 The drive rotor 16 can therefore be arranged axially immovably as preferred. The engagement members 17 seek as it were the Eingriffsgegenglieder 7, therefore, can also be referred to as search pins or bolts.

FIG. 6 shows the drive rotor 16 alone, before mounting on the output shaft of the motor 15. The drive rotor 16 is a compact, with respect to its axis of rotation R rotationally symmetrical, exemplary circular cylindrical body. He has a mounting end for the rotationally fixed connection with the motor shaft and axially away from the mounting end in the mounted state free end face with the axially projecting engagement members 17. The engagement members 17 are arranged to reciprocate by means of an axial guide 18. They are each tensioned by an associated spring 19, in the embodiment, in each case a pressure-loaded coil spring, axially outwardly, ie in the direction beyond the free end face of the drive rotor 16 also. The guides 18 are shaped as axial bores. In the guides 18 each one of the springs 19 and then each one of the engaging members 17 is used. The springs 19 are axially supported in the bores or guides 18. For this purpose, the guides 18 may be, for example, blind holes. To the To hold engagement members 17 against the elastic restoring force of the respective spring 19, a holding element 20 is fastened by means of fastening means 21 on the free end face 6 on the drive rotor 16. The holding element 20 forms an axial stop for each of the engagement members 17, against which the respective engagement member 17 is pressed by the respective spring 19 in the mounted state. In a modification, the stops could also be formed by separate holding elements. The holding element 20 forms a cover and the free end face 16 'of the drive rotor 16. It is exemplified disk-shaped.

The engagement members 17 are pin-shaped or bolt-shaped and each have two different thickness axial sections. The thicker axial section is guided by the respective guide 18, and the slimmer axial section protrudes in the mounted state, the holding element 20. The holding member 20 is provided with passages 22. The engagement members 17 each have a stop shoulder in the transition region of the axial sections. In the assembled state, the engaging members 17 protrude with their front axial sections the respectively associated passage 22 and are biased by their springs 19 with its stop shoulder in the abutting contact against the holding member 20, so that the front axial section passes through the respective passage 22, while the rear axial section in the associated guide 18 is guided.

FIG. 7 shows the Rollfalzwerkzeug 1-4 and the cleaning device during the cleaning of the seaming roller 1. The approach maneuver has been completed and a drive engagement between the seaming roller 1 and the drive rotor 16 made. The drive engagement is due to a form fit by engaging each of the engagement members 17 (FIG. FIGS. 5 and 6 ) in each case one of the recesses 7 of the folding roller 1 ( FIG. 3 protrudes. The depressions 7 act as engagement counterparts for the engagement members 17, in each case forming a tangential or rotational stop for the protruding engagement members 17 in the direction of rotation T, which points tangentially to the rotational axis D or R common in the drive engagement. The cleaning tool 11 scrapes the running surface of the drive roller 16 rotationally driven folding roller 1 of impurities, in particular adhesive, free. The impurities drop under the influence of gravity down and are there collected and discharged by means of a not shown, arranged on the frame 10 catcher. The other cleaning tool 12 is located in a position moved away from the folding roller 1. It is only used for cleaning the other folding roller 2 used.

In the exemplary embodiment, the cleaning tools 11 and 12 are arranged so that the folding roller 1 or 2 to be cleaned must each be in the position shown for the folding roller 1, in which the drive engagement with the drive rotor 16 is or is produced. Order from the in FIG. 7 starting cleaning the other folding roller 2 starting, the drive engagement with the folding roller 1 is released and the Rollfalzwerkzeug 1-4 in a renewed approach maneuver with his folding roller 2 maneuvered in the drive engagement. In a modification of the cleaning device, the cleaning tools 11 and 12 may be arranged so that the cleaning tool 11 of the folding roller 1 and the cleaning tool 12 of the folding roller 2 can be delivered to clean the two folding rollers 1 and 2 simultaneously. Starting from the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning tools 11 and 12 would be arranged in an axial offset from each other on the frame 10, wherein the axial offset corresponding to that of the folding rollers 1 and 2. For simultaneous cleaning, the folding roller 2, which is likewise mounted so as to be freely rotatable on the tool head 3, would have to be rotationally driven by a further drive rotor functionally corresponding to the drive rotor 16, which would have to be correspondingly movably mounted on the frame 10. In yet a modification with simultaneous cleaning, the folding rollers 1 and 2 can be connected to each other by means of a common shaft torsionally rigid, in such an embodiment, the shaft would be freely rotatably mounted on the tool head 3. In such a modification, the drive rotor 16, which then rotates the folding roller 2 via the drive engagement with the seaming roller 1 and the shaft common to both folding rollers 1 and 2, is sufficient. The cleaning tool 12 would be as stated in a corresponding axial offset to the cleaning tool 11 to be arranged.

With regard to the drive rotor 16, it should additionally be noted that this is slimmer than the seaming roller 1 or 2 to be cleaned, so that in running engagement the running surface 5 or 8 of the respective seaming roller 1 or 2 to be cleaned around the axis of rotation D continues to circulate completely radially outward than an axially adjacent outer periphery of the drive rotor 16. In the drive engagement thus remains on the end face 6 of the respective folding roller 1 or 2 around the rotation axis D completely circumferential each have a radial edge strip which separates the tread 5 or 8 from the drive rotor 16.

FIG. 8 shows a cleaning device according to a second embodiment. The cleaning device corresponds with respect to the rotary drive of the seaming roller 1 or 2 to be cleaned to the first embodiment, in particular, the drive rotor 16 of the first embodiment is used. The cleaning device of the second embodiment has more than two cleaning tools, for example, four cleaning tools on. Of these cleaning tools 11, 12, 23 and 24, each can be selectively moved to the cleaning position, that is to be delivered to the cleaning roller to be cleaned in the cleaning operation. The cleaning tools 11, 12, 23 and 24 are adapted to a particular folding roller shape and size, the cleaning tool 11 to the folding roller 1, the cleaning tool 12 to the folding roller 2 and the other two cleaning tools 23 and 24 to other, not shown folding rollers of a other Rollfalzwerkzeugs. The cleaning tools 11, 12, 23 and 24 are movable for the optional cleaning use in each case the same cleaning position. For this purpose, they are arranged together on a carrier 25, by way of example a turntable, so that they can be moved by a rotational movement of the carrier 25 about an axis of rotation V of the carrier 25 in the cleaning position.

The carrier 25 forms a revolving magazine for the cleaning tools 11, 12, 23 and 24. On the common carrier 25, each of the cleaning tools 11, 12, 23 and 24 as explained for the first embodiment by means of its own supply and Abstelleinrichtung 13 of the respective folding roller on and off from this.

The invention may in particular for the joining of the Figures 1 and 2 said composite components find use and advantageously in the immediate vicinity of the place of Rollfalzens used, so that an example stationary industrial robots, which carries the Rollfalzwerkzeug during Rollfalzens and moves in space, move without Umrüstvorgang the folding roller to the cleaning device and the described approach maneuver into the Drive intervention can perform.

The cleaning devices of the embodiments are arranged stationary in spatial proximity to the Rollfalzprozess. In a modification, they can, in particular the cleaning device of the first embodiment, be adapted for mobile use, so that they can be docked to a movable in space actuator, for example, at the end of a robot arm and preferably also be undocked by this again, preferably each automatically. A mobile cleaning device can be used for cleaning a stationarily arranged Rollfalzwerkzeugs, but in principle also in combination with a likewise mobile Rollfalzwerkzeug, such as that of the embodiments. In this way, for example, be cleaned closer to the place of Rollfalzprozesses, which can mean a time savings. For the cleaning device of the first embodiment is in the Figures 5 and 7 for mobile use in each case a docking port 10a indicated, so that this cleaning device can be both stationary arranged and used mobile. Basically, the same docking port 10a or more precisely, the only indicated location for the arrangement of a docking port, also be provided in the cleaning device of the second embodiment, due to the magazine-like arrangement of the cleaning tools 11, 12, 23 and 24, however, claimed this cleaning device more space and is therefore less suitable than the cleaning device of the first embodiment for mobile use.

FIG. 9 shows the example of the folding roller 1 a cleaning process in which the cleaning tool 11 is employed at an advantageous angle α of 40-70 °, preferably 40-60 °, to the folding roller 1. The tool head of the Rollfalzwerkzeugs 1-4 is not shown, so that FIG. 9 an end view of the tool head facing the rear end side of the folding roller 1 shows. The angle of attack α is the angle at the location of the action of the cleaning tool 11 includes a tangent to the running surface of the respective folding roller, here on the tread 5, with the cleaning tool 11. The place of action is the place where the Cleaning tool 11 contacted with the scraper edge of the tread 5 or opposite this at a minimum distance. The cleaning tool 11 is formed as a plate-shaped doctor blade. It has a plane upper surface facing this tangent. If this surface were not planar, the angle a between said tangent of the tread 5 and a tangent applied to the doctoring edge of the cleaning tool 11 would be measured. The cleaning tool 11 is arranged horizontally; for orientation, the vertical Z is specified. In an alternative embodiment, the doctor blade 11 can point vertically or with an inclination both to the vertical Z and to the horizontal with the tangent to its scraper edge, to which the angle of attack a is measured, in the cleaning engagement. Are considered advantageous to the horizontal inclined positions in which the point of action at the top of the doctor blade 11 laid tangent to the horizontal slope up to ± 20 °, as indicated for the illustrated in dashed line in accordance with negative inclined position cleaning tool 11 ' is. For the removal of the scraped-off contamination, it is advantageous if the site of action lies in the lower hemisphere of the folding rollers 1 or 2. Preferably, the action location is from a lowest point of the respective tread 5 or 8 by a measured about the rotation axis D arc angle of at most 60 °, more preferably at most 40 ° away. Furthermore, it is preferred if the tread 5 or 8 already moves upward again at the point of action, ie the point of action does not coincide with the lowest point.

FIG. 10 shows for the folding roller 1, a first modification. The seaming roller 1 is modified with respect to the engagement counterparts 7, which are therefore designated 7a. The engagement counterparts 7a are recesses extending in the circumferential direction T, each of which extends over an arc angle of nearly 180 °, so that the two engagement counter members 7a are separated from each other only by narrow radial webs 6a. The elongated engagement counter-members 7a can interact in particular with the comparatively slender engagement members 17 of the two embodiments of the cleaning device. In view of the large extent in the circumferential direction T in the production of the drive engagement in the vast number of approach maneuvers even no Gleitdruckkontakt be prepared, but the engagement members 17 in the final phase of the approach maneuver, the axial movement of the folding roller 1 in the cleaning position, without retract the Gleitdruckkontakt in the recesses formed as recesses 7a and reach after a short relative rotation in the tangential stop against the acting as a rotational stops, radial webs 6a. The webs 6a are formed by a lid 6b, which is fixed to the end face 6 on the seaming roller 1. The lid 6b forms the engaging counter-members 7a together with an axially recessed central portion of the folding roller 1. In yet a modification in which the folding roller 1 can be simply flat at its end face 6, the engaging counter members can only from such a the end 6 fixed lid are formed, for example, as in the circumferential direction T extended slots or as a central passage in the lid with radially projecting webs 6a.

FIG. 11 shows a folding roller 1 in a second modification, the folding roller 1 of FIG. 3 largely corresponds. The modified engagement counter-members 7b are formed on the end face 6 in each case as a bore in an annular casing of the folding roller 1. The engagement counter members 7 of the folding roller 1 of FIG. 3 Although also formed as axial bores or at least axially extending recesses, open in contrast to the modified engagement counter members 7b, however, in the radial direction on an inner circumferential surface of the annular jacket of the seaming roller 1. The modified Eingriffsgegenglieder 7b, however, are a little further radially outward from the arranged inside outer surface of the ring jacket away.

The engagement counter members 7 and 7b could be elongated in one modification in each case in the circumferential direction T, preferably elongated compared to the engagement members 17 of the drive rotor 16. The respective folding roller may optionally have on its front side 6 only a single, formed as a recess elongated engagement counterpart member , which can extend in the circumferential direction T over an angle of less than 360 °, but certainly over an angle of almost 360 °. In the modification, for example, the FIG. 10 could one of the two webs 6a omitted.

FIG. 12 shows the seaming roller 1 in a third modification with only a single, central engagement counterpart 7c. The engagement counterpart 7c is formed by an axially projecting attachment 6c, which is comparable to the cover 6a of the first modification (FIG. FIG. 10 ) is attached to the end face 6 on the folding roller 1. The engaging counterpart member 7c is formed as a depression, as in the other examples or modifications, in the exemplary embodiment as a cross-sectionally square depression of the attachment 6c, wherein the depression in the attachment 6c is shaped, for example, as a passage. The drive rotor 16 is provided for the drive engagement with the single central engagement counter member 7c with only one centrally arranged engaging member which is shaped in cross-section to the recess 7, for the rest, however, apply to the embodiments of the engagement members 17.

FIG. 13 shows the folding roller 1 in a fourth modification. In this modification, the engagement counterpart 7d is formed as a toothing surrounding the rotation axis D of the folding roller 1 on the end face 6, for example a Hirth toothing. The toothing 7d has inclined axially rising teeth, so that the engaging member formed as a corresponding toothing of the correspondingly modified drive rotor 16 can center when approaching the toothing 7d. The toothing 7d has a fine tooth pitch. Preferably, it points around the axis of rotation the folding roller 1 evenly distributed at least 20 teeth. The counter-toothing of the modified drive rotor 16 is preferably axially resiliently supported on the drive rotor 16 by means of a spring device. In accordance with fine pitch, but can in principle be dispensed with a resilient support even when the drive engagement as explained in the two embodiments of the cleaning device is made via a Gleitdruckkontakt.

Reference numerals:

1

seaming roll

2

seaming roll

3

tool head

4

Docking port

5

tread

6

Face, face

6a

Stop, bridge

6b

cover

6c

essay

7

Engaging counter, recess

7a

Engaging counter, recess

7b

Engaging counter, recess

7c

Engaging counter, recess

7d

Engaging counter, recess

8th

tread

9

robot arm

10

frame

11

Cleaning tool, scraper

12

Cleaning tool, scraper

13

Supply and Abstelleinrichtung

14

carriage

15

engine

16

drive rotor

17

Engaging member, search pen

18

guide

19

feather

20

retaining element

21

fastener

22

passage

23

Cleaning tool, scraper

24

Cleaning tool, scraper

25

carrier

a

sheet

b

sheet

c

edge flange

d

Glue

e

Glue

D

Rotary axis of the joining roller

R

Rotary axis of the drive rotor

T

direction of rotation

V

axis of rotation

Z

vertical axis

α

angle of attack

Claims (16)

1. A method for cleaning a processing roller of a processing tool, wherein:

   a) the processing roller (1, 2) is coupled, in a drive engagement, to a drive rotor (16) which is external in relation to the processing tool (1-4);

   b) the drive rotor (16) rotationally drives the processing roller (1, 2) in the drive engagement;

   c) and the processing roller (1, 2) is cleaned by means of a cleaning tool (11, 12) while it is being rotationally driven,

   d) characterised in that the drive engagement is a positive fit.
2. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the processing roller (1, 2) is non-rotationally coupled to the drive rotor (16) in the drive engagement, such that the drive rotor (16) and the processing roller (1, 2) perform the rotational movement as a single body.
3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive engagement is established on a facing side (6) of the processing roller (1, 2).
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

   (i) at least one of the drive rotor (16) and the processing roller (1, 2) comprises an engaging member (17);

   (ii) the drive rotor (16) and the processing roller (1, 2) are moved into a pressing contact in which the engaging member (17) presses against the other of the drive rotor (16) and the processing roller (1, 2);

   (iii) the drive rotor (16) is rotationally driven;

   (iv) and the engaging member (17) is moved out of the pressing contact into the drive engagement during a rotational movement which the drive rotor (16) performs relative to the processing roller (1, 2).
5. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the engaging member (17) is resilient against an elastic restoring force, preferably resiliently mounted by means of at least one spring (19), and presses against the other of the drive rotor (16) and the processing roller (1, 2) in the pressing contact with the restoring force and snaps out of the pressing contact into the drive engagement due to the restoring force.
6. The method according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the processing roller (1, 2) is decelerated during the pressing contact, preferably by means of the cleaning tool (11, 12), in order to ensure that the drive rotor (16) is rotated relative to the processing roller (1, 2) in the pressing contact until the engaging member (17) snaps into the drive engagement.
7. The method according to any one of the preceding three claims and at least one of the following features:

   - the drive rotor (16) and the processing roller (1, 2) are moved axially relative to each other into the pressing contact;

   - the drive rotor (16) and the processing roller (1, 2) in the drive engagement rotate about axes which are spaced apart in parallel or preferably rotate about the same axis (D, R);

   - the drive rotor (16) and the processing roller (1, 2) are moved into contact facing each other via one facing side (6, 16') each.
8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing roller (1, 2) is cleaned by means of one of the following cleaning tools or cleaning methods:

   - a cleaning tool (11, 12) which is applied to the processing roller (1, 2) while it is in the drive engagement and which mechanically ablates, preferably scraps off, an impurity from the processing roller (1, 2);

   - at least one scraper (11, 12);

   - at least one rotating cleaning brush;

   - a CO₂ pellet cleaning method;

   - a CO₂ snow cleaning method;

   - or a combination of a number of different cleaning tools or cleaning methods of the type cited.
9. A device for cleaning a processing roller of a processing tool, said device comprising:

   a) a cleaning tool (11, 12) for cleaning the processing roller (1, 2);

   b) and a rotationally driven drive rotor (16) which is external in relation to the processing tool (1-4) and can be coupled, in a drive engagement, to the processing roller (1, 2) in order to rotationally drive the processing roller (1, 2) while it is being cleaned,

   c) characterised in that the drive rotor (16) comprises an engaging member (17) by means of which the drive engagement can be established as a positive fit.
10. The device according to the preceding claim and at least one of the following features:

    - the engaging member (17) projects axially from the drive rotor (16) or is formed by an axial recess on a facing surface of the drive rotor;

    - the engaging member (17) protrudes axially on a facing side (16') of the drive rotor (16) or is formed as an axial recess on the facing side.
11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that:

    (i) the processing roller (1, 2) comprises a complementary engaging member (7; 7a; 7b; 7c; 7d) for the positive fit with the engaging member (17);

    (ii) the engaging member (17) is resilient, preferably axially resilient, against an elastic restoring force transverse to the rotational direction (T) of the drive rotor (16), or the complementary engaging member is resilient, preferably axially resilient, against an elastic restoring force transverse to the rotational direction of the processing roller;

    (iii) the engaging member (17) can be moved, against the restoring force, into a pressing contact with the processing roller (1, 2), or the complementary engaging member (7; 7a; 7b; 7c; 7d) can be moved, against the restoring force, into a pressing contact with the drive rotor (16);

    (iv) and the engaging member (17) or the complementary engaging member (7; 7a; 7b; 7c; 7d) snaps out of the pressing contact into the drive engagement due to the restoring force when the drive rotor (16) is rotated relative to the processing roller (1, 2).
12. The device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the engaging member (17) is supported on the drive rotor (16) by means of a spring means (19), preferably a mechanical spring means, which generates the restoring force, or the complementary engaging member is supported on the processing roller (1, 2) by means of a spring means (19), preferably a mechanical spring means, which generates the restoring force.
13. The device according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one of the following features:

    - the engaging member is centrically arranged on the rotational axis of the drive rotor;

    - the engaging member (17) is arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotational axis (R) of the drive rotor (16);

    - the drive rotor (16) comprises at least one additional engaging member (17) for establishing the drive engagement, and at least one of the engaging members (17) is arranged at a radial distance from the rotational axis (R) of the drive rotor (16);

    - the engaging member (17) is formed and arranged on the drive rotor (16) such that it can be moved into the drive engagement on a facing side (6) of the processing roller (1, 2) and is spaced apart from a running surface (5) of the processing roller (1, 2) in the drive engagement;

    - the engaging member (17) is arranged within an imaginary circle around the rotational axis (R) of the drive rotor (16) as seen in a view onto a facing side (16') of the drive rotor (16), and the circle is smaller than a maximum circumference of a running surface (5, 8) of the processing roller (1, 2).
14. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a complementary engaging member (7; 7a; 7b; 7c; 7d) for the positive-fit drive engagement is provided on a facing side (6) of the processing roller (1, 2) and formed by an axial projection or recess which preferably extends at least 30% further in length than the engaging member (17) in a circumferential direction (T) about the rotational axis (D) of the processing roller (1, 2).
15. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device comprises a frame (10) on which the drive rotor (16) is arranged such that it can be rotationally moved and on which the cleaning tool (11, 12; 11, 12, 23, 24) is arranged such that it can be moved back and forth between a resting position and a cleaning position, and in that the device is arranged stationary or comprises a docking means (10a) for automatically docking with and undocking from a robot ann, wherein the docking means (10a) preferably also comprises an interface for supplying the device with energy or a fluid or control signals.
16. The device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that at least one additional cleaning tool (11, 12; 11, 12, 23, 24) is arranged on the frame (10) and at least one of the following features is fulfilled:

    - the cleaning tools (11, 12; 11, 12, 23, 24) are optionally arranged such that they can alternately be moved into the same cleaning position or into different cleaning positions;

    - the cleaning tools (11, 12; 11, 12, 23, 24) can each be moved into a cleaning position of their own, in order to be able to clean different processing roller (1, 2) simultaneously.

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