EP3556667B1 - Strapping device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a strapping device with at least one drive motor, furthermore with at least one drive roller for a strapping band supplied from a band supply, as well as with at least one tensioning roller for tensioning the strapping band guided around the material to be strapped, and with a locking unit for connecting the band ends of the around the strapping around the good, with a pivoting coulisse being provided which applies at least one counter roller to the drive roller for belt drive or to the tension roller for belt tensioning, and the drive motor drives both the drive roller and the tension roller.

With the help of strapping devices, goods to be strapped in general, such as stacks of newspapers, paper rolls, packages, etc., are combined. For this purpose, the strapping tape is first passed around the relevant item to be strapped. This is done with the help of the drive roller. The strapping is then tensioned using the tensioning roller. In this tensioned state, a loop of the strapping tape is separated from the tape supply. In addition, the two ends of the strap are pressed against each other and connected to one another in the closure unit. If the strapping band is made of plastic, for example, the band ends are connected by welding, for example by friction welding.

As a rule, the drive roller and also the tension roller are each equipped with a counter roller, so there are a pair of interacting drive rollers as well as a pair of interacting tensioning rollers that clamp the strapping between them. In this way, using the drive roller and the counter roller the strapping is transported. The tensioning roller, in conjunction with the associated counter roller, ensures that the strapping tape is tensioned after it has been guided around the material to be strapped. This is described in detail in the prior art according to DE 10 2008 004 118 B4 described.

The well-known teaching according to the DE 10 2008 004 118 B4 uses overall only a single drive motor, on whose motor shaft one of the drive rollers is arranged, that is to say the drive roller itself or the counter roller interacting with the drive roller or the so-called drive counter roller. In addition, a movement transmission means is provided which transmits the movement of the motor shaft of the drive motor to a reduction gear. The reduction gear drives at least one of the tensioning rollers, that is to say the tensioning roller or also the associated counter-roller or tensioning-counter-roller. This has basically proven itself, because only a single drive motor provides the drive and also the tensioning, whereas in the state of the art implemented in practice, two drive motors are often used. However, the invention expressly does not exclude, for example, two drive motors in this context. For example, a drive motor can be used to drive the tensioning roller or the tensioning rollers and a further drive motor can be used to drive the drive roller or the drive rollers.

In the generic prior art according to the WO 2015/117255 A1 describes a strapping device which, with a drive, serves to drive a tape feed device, a tape retraction device and finally a tensioning device. In this way, the strapping head of the strapping device should be designed to be particularly compact. In addition, an eccentric is arranged which carries a counter-roller which can be set against the tensioning roller on the one hand and the drive roller on the other hand.

The further prior art according to GB 2 041 869 A deals with a strapping device in which the interaction of two drive rollers is described. One of the drive rollers can be adjusted and removed again with the help of a lifting arrangement.

After all, through that U.S. 5,377,477 A a strapping device has become known which works with a backdrop which carries two counter rollers and is designed to be pivotable.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a strapping device in such a way that, taking into account a compact structure, there is the possibility of being able to switch quickly and functionally reliably between a drive of the strapping band and a tensioning process without any problems.

To solve this technical problem, a generic strapping device within the scope of the invention is characterized in that the link carries at least two counter-rollers, namely a drive counter-roller and a tensioning-counter-roller, that furthermore the drive motor, via a gear, the tensioning roller and, with the interposition of a shaft bearing sleeve, the The drive roller is acted upon, and that the link is rotatably mounted on a flange, the drive motor, the gear and the shaft bearing sleeve each being connected to the flange parallel to one another and predominantly perpendicularly upright.

According to the invention, the procedure is generally such that either the belt drive or the belt tensioning is carried out. In principle, however, the belt drive and the belt tensioning can also at least partially overlap in time. Usually, however, the belt drive takes place first. First when the tape drive is complete, the tape tensioning is switched over, as it were.

In the context of the invention, the pivotable gate is therefore initially used. The pivotable link is usually rotatably mounted on or on a front side of the flange. In contrast, the at least one drive motor is located on the rear side of the flange. In principle, two drive motors can also be implemented at this point, namely one drive motor for the drive roller and another drive motor for the tensioning roller. According to the invention, however, a single drive motor is used here, which drives both the drive roller and the tension roller in each case.

According to the invention, at least two counter rollers are provided which are carried by the backdrop. For this purpose, the counter rollers in question are each rotatably connected to the backdrop. That is, the backdrop carries the at least two counter-rollers, which are a drive counter-roller and a tensioning-counter roller.

When it rests on the drive roller, the drive counter roller ensures that the strapping band clamped between the drive roller and the drive counter roller is transported. In contrast, the tensioning counter-roller in connection with the tensioning roller ensures that the strapping clamped in between is tensioned or can be tensioned. Both counter-rollers, that is to say the drive counter-roller and the tensioning-counter-roller, are each non-driven and only rotatably mounted on the link. Either the drive roller or the tensioning roller alone is responsible for the associated drive.

The change between the belt drive and the belt tensioning takes place in an unconstrained manner in that either the drive counter-roller is applied to the drive roller or, alternatively, the tensioning counter-roller is applied to the tensioning roller. Since the counter roller that is no longer required is lifted when changing from belt drive to belt tensioning, both the drive roller and the tensioning roller can advantageously continue to be operated and set in rotation with the aid of the one drive motor. This means that when the belt is being driven, the strap is clamped between the drive roller and the drive counter roller and transported. Since in this case the tensioning counter-roller is lifted from the tensioning roller and spaced apart, the belt can slide over the tensioning roller, which is still rotating, without any problems in this case.

Conversely, the belt tensioning corresponds to the fact that the tensioning counter-roller is set against the tensioning roller with the aid of the link and the belt can be clamped and tensioned. Since the drive counter roller is lifted and removed from the drive roller, the drive roller can continue to rotate unchanged and the strapping can be guided over the drive roller more or less without resistance.

The change from belt drive to belt tensioning and back is particularly easy and reliable because only a slight pivoting movement of the link is required for this. In fact, the backdrop is generally L-shaped. In addition, the backdrop usually has a rotatable bearing at the end of its long L-leg, which is usually observed with respect to the flange already mentioned above. For the change from belt drive to belt tensioning and back, generally pivoting movements of the L-shaped link are sufficient, which correspond to a pivoting angle of less than 20 degrees and preferably even of 10 degrees and less. Such swivel angles can be implemented quickly and mechanically in a simple manner.

In fact, the design is made in such a way that the link is not only rotatably mounted at the end of its long L-leg, but also one of the two counter-rollers is mounted on the long L-leg, while the other counter-roller is mounted on the short L-leg . In this case, an arrangement has proven to be particularly favorable in which the drive counter-roller is connected approximately in the middle to the long L-leg of the L-shaped link. In contrast, the tensioning counter-roller is usually located at the end of the short L-leg.

The gate is generally moved against the force of at least one spring. The spring ensures that the link in its neutral position assumes, for example, a position in which both counter rollers are spaced apart from the drive roller on the one hand and from the tensioning roller on the other. In order to move the gate against the force of the at least one error and to adjust the counter roller to the associated driven roller, an eccentric is generally provided for pivoting the gate. The eccentric is advantageously designed as a cam or has such a cam. The cam can work on a cam follower lever, for example, via a cam follower. The cam roller lever in turn ensures that the L-shaped link is pivoted against the force of the spring assigned to it.

As already explained, a "single" drive motor is used according to the invention, which drives both the drive roller and the tension roller. For this purpose, according to the invention, the drive motor acts on the tensioning roller via the transmission. The gear is advantageously a reduction gear, because for tensioning the strapping band after it has been guided around the material to be strapped it is usually high Torques are required and the drive motor is generally designed as a high-speed electric motor.

In contrast, no translation of the drive motor is generally required to act on the drive roller. In this case, according to the invention, the drive motor acts on the drive roller with the interposition of the shaft bearing sleeve. The drive motor is coupled to the gearbox on the one hand and to the shaft bearing sleeve on the other hand generally via a movement transmission means. The movement transmission means can be a belt and, in particular, a toothed belt. In this case, pulleys or toothed belt pulleys ensure the corresponding transmission on the one hand on the output shaft of the drive motor and on the other hand on an input shaft of the transmission and an input shaft of the shaft bearing sleeve.

In this way, the shaft bearing sleeve, the gear unit and the drive motor can be fitted in a predominantly matching alignment practically parallel to one another on the rear side of the flange. As a result, a particularly compact design is made available and the weight distribution compared to the flange can be optimized.

As a result, a strapping device is made available that is compact and works reliably. This is particularly true in the event that straps made of plastic are to be processed. Of course, the strapping device described can also be used in connection with, for example, steel straps. In principle, straps that are not made or made of neither steel nor plastic, for example those based on natural raw materials such as natural polymers, are of course also conceivable. Mixed forms can also be used as the strapping material become. Due to the compact and compact design, the strapping device described can in principle be used both for so-called handheld devices and for stationary strapping machines. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 1

die erfindungsgemäße Umreifungsvorrichtung schematisch in einer Frontansicht und

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch den Gegenstand nach der Fig. 1 schematisch entlang einer Linie A-A.

Show it:

Fig. 1

the strapping device according to the invention schematically in a front view and

Fig. 2

a section through the object after the Fig. 1 schematically along a line AA.

A strapping device is shown in the figures. With the aid of the strapping device, strapping tape 1 can be guided around objects to be strapped or goods to be strapped, as is known in principle and explained in detail in the prior art already referred to in the introduction. The strapping 1 is for this purpose only in the Fig. 1 to be recognized tape supply 2 supplied. To the one in the Fig. 1 The strapping device, shown only in part, also includes a closure unit 3, which is only indicated here and which is designed as a friction welding unit in the exemplary embodiment and not by way of limitation. The closure unit 3 ensures that the ends of the strapping band 1 to be connected to one another are coupled around the goods to be strapped after tensioning, in the present case by friction welding. Of course, the locking unit 3 can also open Another way to ensure the desired connection of the strap ends of the strap 1.

Critical to the present invention are now one in the Fig. 2 to be recognized drive motor 4, with the help of which, in the exemplary embodiment and not by way of limitation, both a drive roller 5 and a tensioning roller 6 are driven. As evidenced by the Fig. 2 The drive motor 4 is a (single) electric motor which, like a step-down or reduction gear 7 to be seen there, and a shaft bearing sleeve 8 are mounted on the rear of a flange 9. On the front of the flange 9, a gate 10 is also mounted, which will be considered in more detail below.

Based on the sectional view in the Fig. 2 it can be seen that the drive motor 4, the gear 7 and the shaft bearing sleeve 8 are each connected to the flange 9 parallel to one another and predominantly perpendicularly upright. This enables an optimal weight distribution to be achieved. In addition, the attachment of the drive motor 4 "next to" the gear 7 as well as the shaft bearing sleeve 8 ensures that the aforementioned elements 4, 7, 8 require relatively little installation space perpendicular to the flange 9. The motor 4 is equipped with a pulley or belt pulley 11 on its output shaft. A comparable belt pulley 12 is located on an input shaft of the transmission 7. Another belt pulley 13 can also be seen, which is arranged on the input side on a shaft 14 which is mounted within the shaft bearing sleeve 8 and carries the drive roller 5 at the other end. The gear 7 is additionally equipped with an integrated brake 15, which, however, is only an option and ensures or can ensure that the gear 7 and with it the tensioning roller 6 attached to its output shaft are stopped after the end of a tensioning process of the strapping band 1.

In the exemplary embodiment, the individual belt pulleys 11, 12, 13 are driven by the drive motor 4 via a common movement transmission means 16. The movement transmission means 16 is a flexible movement transmission means 16, in the present case a toothed belt. Correspondingly, the individual belt pulleys 11, 12, 13 in the exemplary embodiment are also designed as toothed belt pulleys and are not restrictive. Overall, the drive motor 4 ensures that the gear 7 sets the tensioning roller 6 in rotation just as continuously as the drive roller 5 via the shaft bearing sleeve 8 connected in between.

In order to be able to differentiate between a tape drive of the strapping tape 1, already described in the introduction, and a tape tensioning, the previously mentioned pivotable link 10 is provided according to the invention. The gate 10 is pivotably connected to the front side of the flange 9. For this purpose, the link 10 carries at least two counter rollers 5a, 6a. The counter roller 6a belongs to the tensioning roller 6 and is therefore designed as a tensioning counter roller 6a. In contrast, the further counter roller 5a is a drive counter roller 5a which belongs to the drive roller 5, as will be explained in more detail below.

Using the in the Fig. 1 The front view shown here shows that the gate 10 is overall L-shaped. In fact, a long L-leg 10a and a short L-leg 10b are implemented. According to the exemplary embodiment, the drive counter roller 5a is rotatably connected to the long L-leg 10a and is located approximately in the middle of the long L-leg 10a in question. In contrast, the tensioning counter-roller 6a is rotatably connected to the short L-leg 10b. In fact, the tensioning counter-roller 6a is located at the end of the short L-leg 10b in question.

The link 10 can be pivoted slightly to and fro about its pivot point or a pivot bearing 17 formed at this point on the front side of the flange 9, as indicated by a double arrow in FIG Fig. 1 indicates. Corresponding to this are the pivoting angles of the L-shaped gate 10, which are generally located below 20 degrees, and are usually only 10 degrees and less. The gate 10 is moved overall against the force of a spring 18, 19. In fact, within the scope of the exemplary embodiment, a spring 18 belonging to the band tensioning and a further spring 19 are implemented, which primarily have an effect when the strapping band 1 is driven.

To pivot the L-shaped link 10, a total of an eccentric 20, 21, 22 is provided. The eccentric 20, 21, 22 is composed in detail of a cam 20 and a cam roller 21, which in turn is rotatably mounted on a cam roller lever 22. The cam roller lever 22 has an axis of rotation 23, with the aid of which it is rotatably mounted with respect to the flange 9.

Rotational movements of the cam 20 by one in the Fig. 1 Indicated and in the plane of the drawing or parallel to this axis now lead to the fact that the cam roller lever 22 compared to its pivot bearing 23 in the Fig. 1 also performs indicated pivoting movement. As a result, the L-shaped link 10 is pivoted because the cam roller lever 22 is connected to the end of the short L-leg 10b of the L-shaped link 10 opposite the tensioning counter-roller 6a, and in this way the link 10 is connected during its pivoting movement "takes away".

If, for example, a tape drive of the strapping tape 1 is required, this corresponds to the L-shaped link 10 being pivoted clockwise about its pivot bearing 17. This brings the drive counter roller 5a to rest on the drive roller 5 and the strap 1 is clamped between the two rollers 5, 5a. As a consequence of this, the strapping tape 1 is unwound starting from the tape supply 2 and can, for example, be guided around the goods to be strapped with the aid of a tape guide channel. As soon as the strapping tape 1 has been passed around the item, the strapping tape 1 is separated from the tape supply 2 or the tape loop with the aid of a separating unit (not shown). The two ends of the strap 1 are held tight. The strapping 1 is now tensioned.

For this purpose, the strapping 1 is clamped between the tensioning roller 6 and the tensioning counter-roller 6a. In order to achieve this, the link 10 is acted upon in the opposite direction with the aid of the eccentric 20, 21, 22, namely executes a counterclockwise movement in relation to its pivot bearing 17. As a result, the drive counter roller 5a moves away from the drive roller 5 Tensioning counter-roller 6a for resting on the tensioning roller 6. The strapping band 1 clamped between the two rollers 6, 6a can then be tensioned. In addition, the tensioned ends of the strap 1 can be connected with the aid of the closure unit 3, as was already described in the introduction.

Claims (10)

1. Strapping device having at least one drive motor (4), further having at least one drive roller (5) for a strap (1) fed from a strap supply (2), as well as having at least one tensioning roller (6) for tensioning the strap (1) around the goods to be strapped, and having a closing unit (3) for connecting the strap ends of the strap (1) around the goods, wherein
   a pivotable link (10) is provided, which applies at least one counter-roller (5a, 6a) to the drive roller (5) for driving the strap or to the tensioning roller (6) for tensioning the strap, and wherein
   the drive motor (4) drives both the drive roller (5) and the tensioning roller (6),
   characterized in that

   - the link (10) carries at least two counter-rollers (5a, 6a), namely a drive counter-roller (5a) and a tensioning counter-roller (6a), furthermore in that

   - the drive motor (4) acts on the tensioning roller (6) via a gear (7) and on the drive roller (5) with the interposition of a shaft bearing sleeve (8), and in that

   - the link (10) is rotatably mounted on a flange (9), wherein

   - the drive motor (4), the gear (7) and the shaft bearing sleeve (8) are respectively connected to the flange (9) parallel to one another and predominantly vertically upright.
2. Strapping device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the flange (9) accommodates the link (10) on its front side and the drive motor (4) as well as the gear (7) and the shaft bearing sleeve (8) on its rear side.
3. Strapping device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the link (10) is L-shaped.
4. Strapping device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the link (10) is rotatably mounted at the end of its long L-leg (10a).
5. Strapping device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the one counter-roller (5a) is mounted on the long L-leg (10a) and the other counter-roller (6a) on the short L-leg (10b).
6. Strapping device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the drive counter-roller (5a) is connected to the long L-leg (10a) approximately in the middle.
7. Strapping device according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the tensioning counter-roller (6a) is connected to the short L-leg (10b).
8. Strapping device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the link (10) is moved against the force of at least one spring (18, 19).
9. Strapping device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an eccentric (20, 21, 22) is provided for pivoting the link (10).
10. Strapping device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the eccentric (20, 21, 22) has a cam (20), which, for example, acts on the link (10) via a cam roller (21) and a cam roller lever (22).

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