JP2008030382A - Stretching machine of sheetlike article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stretching machine of a sheetlike article capable of variably regulating a stretching quantity with respect to a plurality of directions by a simple structure and enhancing the stretching efficiency and yield of the sheetlike article. <P>SOLUTION: The stretching machine of the sheetlike article includes a pair of endless link devices each of which has a preheating region for preheating the sheetlike article while guiding a plurality of equal length links, which grasp the sheetlike article, along a closed route, a stretching region, a thermal fixing region for thermally fixing the sheetlike article so as to hold stretched and a rail for feeding the equal length links. The feed and return rail support members arranged in the stretching region are constituted of almost equal length members mutually arranged almost in parallel in a horizontal direction to be made movable fanwise almost in parallel and the support member for supporting the pail arranged in the thermal fixing region is constituted so as to be made movable in the width direction of the sheetlike article in connection with the movement of the feed and return rail support members. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for stretching a sheet-like material such as a thermoplastic resin film.

  A conventional simultaneous biaxial stretching machine is supported by a thrust receiver that receives its own weight and a roller bearing that rolls in a guide groove, as described in JP-A-4-12957 (Patent Document 1). The configuration was In the link device having such a configuration, sliding resistance on the sliding surface of the thrust receiver is large, and high-speed traveling becomes difficult. Further, since lubricating oil is required for the sliding portion, the lubricating oil may be scattered on the film and contaminate the film.

  As a solution to such a problem, for example, there is one in which a thrust receiver is a rolling roller as described in JP-A-11-77825 (Patent Document 2). However, in such a biaxial stretching machine, since the guide rail that forms the guide groove for guiding the running of the link device is fixed on the bed, it can be easily performed when changing the MD (longitudinal stretching) magnification. There is no problem.

  Further, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-147520 (Patent Document 3), the transverse stretching machine is provided with a guide roller and a guide rail sandwiched between the guide roller that rolls under the weight of the clip. There is an example of a structure that is supported by a guide roller that imparts movement in the transverse stretching direction. However, since the rotating shaft of the guide roller (rolling bearing) that rolls in response to its own weight is fixed in one direction, it is mechanically necessary to run the bent portion following the traveling direction. A complicated structure must be adopted.

  As a simultaneous biaxial stretching machine that solves these problems, a pair of radial bearings that support the stretching force of a sheet-like material is provided with a guide rail interposed therebetween as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-334832 (Patent Document 4). In some cases, a radial bearing is provided with a groove that engages with a protrusion provided on a guide rail so as to support the weight of the link device at the same time. In addition, one position of the guide rail can be moved to restrict the opening angle of the link device. According to the present system, the use of a grease-filled radial bearing eliminates the need for external forced oiling, prevents oil scattering, and enables high-speed traveling. Further, the MD magnification can be continuously changed by moving the guide rail position.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-12957 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-77825 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-147520 JP 2000-334832 A

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 4, the link shaft is fixed to the link on the side where the link gripping device constituting the link device is provided, and the other link is rotatable with respect to the link shaft. Yes. Since the bearing mounting seat is attached to the lowermost end of the link shaft and the grooved radial bearing is mounted on the bearing mounting seat, the link shaft and the bearing mounting seat are substantially integrated. On the other hand, the bearing mounting seat did not rotate.

  For this reason, the crossing angle of the link plate with respect to the guide rail changes when the link is closed and open, and the center line connecting the mounting center of the two grooved radial bearings mounted on the bearing mounting seat and the guide rail However, if the link is opened, the crossing angle becomes smaller than 90 degrees when the link is opened. For this reason, in the section where the link opens, that is, the sheet-shaped material stretching section and the sheet-shaped material stretching section, the width of the guide rail sandwiched by the grooved radial bearings is controlled to be narrowed according to the crossing angle. There is a problem that maintenance of the guide rail becomes difficult.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet-like stretching machine that has a simple structure, can variably adjust the amount of stretching in a plurality of directions, and has improved the efficiency and yield of sheet-like stretching. .

  The above purpose is

  1) A plurality of connected equal-length links that grip both ends in the width direction of a sheet-like material having thermoplasticity are guided along a closed path on a substantially horizontal plane, and the sheet-like object is moved from the inlet side to the outlet side of the path. It is provided with a pair of endless link devices that are stretched while being transported and then moved back to the inlet side, and each of the endless link devices is arranged on the inlet side and preheats while transporting while keeping the width of the sheet-like material substantially constant. A preheating region, a stretching region provided on the downstream side of the preheating region and provided with a divergent portion in a path for stretching while conveying the sheet material, and a sheet material disposed on the downstream side of the stretching region And a heat fixing region for heat fixing while transporting while maintaining a substantially constant width, and is disposed on the side close to the sheet material that guides the isometric link and conveys the sheet material. Sheet shape that guides the return of the isometric link with the transport side A rail having a return side disposed on the far side, an inlet-side sprocket and an outlet-side sprocket that are disposed on the inner side of the rail and are disposed on the inlet side and the outlet side, respectively, and drive a plurality of equal-length links, and an inlet-side sprocket. A first support member that supports the rail that is mounted in a fixed position and is disposed in the preheating region; and a second support member that supports the rail that is mounted and disposed in the heat fixing region in which the outlet side sprocket is fixed. A transport-side rail support member disposed between the first and second support members, coupled to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction and coupled to and supported by a transport-side rail disposed in the extending region; A third support member having a return side rail support member connected to and supported by the side rail, and each of the transport side and the return side rail support members is substantially flat in the horizontal direction. It is composed of approximately equal length members arranged in parallel to each other, and is configured to be movable in a divergent shape while maintaining a substantially parallel state. The second support member is interlocked with the movement of the transport side and return side rail support members. And by configuring so that it can move in the width direction of the sheet-like material,

  2) In the above 1), the conveyance side and return side rail support members are connected to each other and configured to be movable in the width direction of the sheet-like material while maintaining a substantially parallel state.

  3) In the above 1) or 2), the conveyance side and return side rail support members are composed of a plurality of members that are connected and arranged in the conveyance direction of the sheet-like material,

  4) In any one of 1) to 3) above, the second support member is configured to be movable in the width direction and the conveyance direction of the sheet-like material in accordance with the movement of the conveyance side and return side rail support members. ,

  5) Alternatively, a plurality of connected equal-length links that hold both ends in the width direction of the sheet-like material having thermoplasticity are guided along a closed path on a substantially horizontal plane, and the sheet-like object is exited from the entrance side of the path. A pair of endless link devices that travel back to the entrance side after being stretched while being transported to the side, each of the endless link devices constitutes a closed path and a plurality of equal-length links are guided to travel, An inlet side sprocket and an outlet side sprocket that are arranged on the inlet side and the outlet side inside the rail and drive a plurality of equal-length links, and an inlet side on which the inlet side sprocket is fixedly mounted and supports the rail A rail support member, an outlet side rail support member that supports the rail by mounting the outlet side sprocket at a fixed position, the inlet side rail support member, and the outlet side rail support And an intermediate rail support member that is rotatably connected to the member in the horizontal direction and disposed between them, and the intermediate rail support member travels when the isometric link conveys the sheet-like material. A transport side portion of the rail and a return side portion that travels when returning from the exit side to the entrance side, and a transport side support member and a return side support member that are connected and supported in parallel, and are substantially parallel to each other in the horizontal direction. A transport-side support member and a return-side support member having substantially the same length, and the transport-side and return-side support members move in the width direction of the sheet-like material while maintaining substantially parallel to form a divergent shape. By arranging the rails that are arranged in a distributable manner and are arranged in a divergent shape in parallel with each other, and extending the sheet-like material,

  6) In the above 5), the conveyance side and return side rail support members are connected to each other and configured to be movable in the width direction of the sheet-like material while maintaining substantially parallelity.

  7) In the above 5) or 6), each of the endless link devices includes an intermediate rail support member and an extension region for extending the sheet-like material, including a portion of the rail supported by the intermediate rail support member. Heat-fixed by transporting in parallel between the pre-heating area arranged on the inlet side of the drawing area to preheat the sheet-like material and the end-less link device arranged on the outlet side of the drawing area facing each other. By providing a heat fixing area for

  8) In any one of the above 5) to 6), the rail support member on the outlet side moves in the width direction of the sheet-like material as the transport-side and return-side support members move in the width direction of the sheet-like material. And configured to be movable in the transport direction,

  9) Further, in any one of the above 1) to 8), when the rail includes rails on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side, and the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral rail are arranged in a divergent shape, This is achieved by changing the distance between the rails on the side and the outer peripheral side and extending the sheet-like material in the conveying direction.

  According to the present invention, in a sheet-shaped material stretching machine, the amount of stretching can be variably adjusted in a plurality of directions with a simple structure, and the efficiency and yield of sheet-shaped material stretching can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of a sheet-like material drawing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the outline of the configuration of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a top view for explaining the outline of the configuration of the sheet-like material drawing machine of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the outline of the configuration of the link device of the sheet-like drawing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of a configuration of a preheating unit according to the sheet-like material drawing machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of a configuration of a stretching section according to the sheet-like material stretching machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of a configuration of a heat fixing unit of the sheet-like material drawing machine shown in FIG. 1. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of the guide rail portion of the extending portion shown in FIG.

  First, the structure of the sheet-like material drawing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the link device used therefor will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  A sheet-like material drawing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a conveyance space 2 in which a sheet-like material made of thermoplastic resin or the like that extends to the center is conveyed, and a link guide rail that forms a closed path. Endless link devices 4 and 5 are arranged on both sides in the conveyance direction of the sheet-like material in the conveyance space 2 to grip and convey and release each end of the sheet-like material while being driven around.

  In these endless link devices 4 and 5, sprockets 6, 7 and 8 disposed on the entrance side and the exit side of the sheet-like material in the conveyance space 2 are connected to a drive device such as a motor (not shown) and are driven to rotate. The link device 200 meshed with the sprockets 6, 7, and 8 slides on the link guide rail 3 and moves.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, an endless link device 4 or 5 (one of the links in the figure) provided with a plurality of (many) gripping devices 202 on both sides of the sheet-like material. The link device 200 includes a plurality of (multiple) equal-length links 201 connected in a folded shape and closed in an annular shape. The link device 200 is driven by a sheet-like material entrance-side sprocket 6 or 7 and travels on the link guide rail 3 by an opening / closing means (not shown) such as an opening / closing guide provided at the entrance of the conveyance space 2. The gripping device 202 is opened and closed to grip the sheet-like material and travel on the transport side rail of the link guide rail 3 while heating the sheet-like material to a temperature required for stretching in the preheating region 9.

  Further, in the wake extension region 10, the gripping pitch between the gripping devices 202 is gradually increased from P <b> 1 to P <b> 2 by being guided by the link guide rails 3 arranged in a divergent shape in the traveling direction, thereby forming a sheet shape The object is stretched simultaneously in two directions. Then, after heat-fixing the sheet-like material at a predetermined temperature in the heat-fixing region 11, the gripping device 202 is opened and closed by an opening / closing means (not shown) such as an opening-and-closing guide provided at the outlet, and is removed from the sheet-like material. The removed sheet is advanced as it is. Furthermore, the link device 200 is configured to be driven by the outlet-side sprocket 8 and travel on the return rail of the link guide rail 3 to return to the inlet-side sprocket 6.

  That is, in the sheet-like material drawing machine 1 according to the present invention, the endless link devices 4 and 5 having a large number of gripping devices 202 for holding the end portions of the thermoplastic resin sheet-like material on both side ends of the sheet-like material. The endless link devices 4 and 5 are provided with a link device 200 in which a large number of equal-length links 201 formed in a fold shape are connected in an annular shape, and are driven by an inlet-side sprocket 6 or 7 of a sheet-like material. The The sheet is composed of a pair of inner and outer peripheral rails arranged opposite to each other at both ends in the width direction of the sheet-like material, and the sheet-like material is stretched by being guided by the link guide rail 3 arranged in a divergent shape in the traveling direction. It is configured to remove the object and be driven by the sprocket 8 on the outlet side of the conveyance space 2 and return to the sprocket 6 on the inlet side. Note that chain links 203 a and 203 b that limit the maximum pitch of the equal-length links 201 in the endless link device 4 or 5 are provided between adjacent link shafts 204. In addition, as a link structure of the endless link apparatus 4 or 5, the endless link apparatus described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-4896 can be referred to.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the link guide rail 3 is composed of a pair of beams on the inner and outer peripheral sides, which are composed of beam-like members having a substantially rectangular cross section arranged so as to be convex. It consists of A joint link shaft in which a gripping device 202 for gripping a sheet-like object is connected to a rail 205 on the outer peripheral side closer to the sheet-like object in a conveyance-side rail that travels while the isometric link 201 grips the sheet-like object. 207 is disposed, and a joint link shaft 208 without the gripping device 202 is disposed on the inner rail 206.

  The link shaft 207 and the link shaft 208 are connected by link plates 209 and 210. Bearing holders 211 and 212 having bearing rollers 211a and 212a, which are first rolling bearings, are connected to the lowermost ends of the link shafts 207 and 208, and both sides of the bearing holders 211 and 212, that is, outer circumferences of the bearing rollers 211a and 212a. A pair of radial bearings 213 [213a, 213b] and 214 [214a, 214b], which are a pair of second rolling bearings, are attached to the portion. The flanged radial bearings 213 and 214 roll on both side surfaces of the rails 205 and 206 that restrict the movement of the isometric link 201, and the upper surface of the rails 205 and 206 and the flanges of the flanged radial bearings 213 and 214 contact each other. It arrange | positions so that the dead weight of the equal length link 201 may be hold | maintained.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the crossing angle (θ) between the link plate and the guide rail is different from θ1 and θ2 between the closed state and the open state. Even at this time, the radial bearings 213 [213a, 213b] and 214 [214a and 214b] supported by the bearing holders 211 and 212 are operated (rotated) by the bearing rollers 211a and 212a with respect to the link shafts 207 and 208. It always changes (rotates) so as to be positioned substantially perpendicular to both side surfaces of the rails 205 and 206, that is, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rails 205 and 206.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the pair of flanged radial bearings can always be at a constant angle with respect to the guide rail, so the crossing angle (θ) between the link plates 209 and 210 and the rails 205 and 206 and the guide The link device 200 can be made to travel without depending on the rail width.

  FIG. 2C shows a state where the amount of stretching in the MD direction (magnification, magnification in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like material) is larger than 1.0. That is, the rail 206 and the rail 205 shown on the right side of the figure approach each other, and the link opening angle of the isometric link 201 increases. Thereby, the sheet-like material is stretched in the traveling direction (the gripping device is omitted in the figure). Furthermore, the guide rail can be disposed endlessly by using spring steel to connect the guide rail in a portion not shown in the drawing and the guide rail in the drawing.

  In the present embodiment, the method of stretching the sheet-like material with respect to the film traveling direction is shown. However, the rail 206 and the rail 205 shown on the left side of FIG. 2C, and the rail 206 shown on the right side of FIG. It is also possible to make θ1 and θ2 substantially the same by making the distance to the rail 205 the same, that is, to make the amount of extension in the MD direction the same, as shown in FIG. By making the distance between the rail 205 closer than the distance on the right side and making the opening angle of the link device smaller on the left side in the figure, the sheet-like object can be contracted with respect to the film traveling direction. . In this case, the sheet-like material is stretched in the TD direction. Furthermore, the amount of stretching in the TD direction and MD direction can be freely set by combining it with a continuously variable technique (configuration in which the link guide rail 3 is arranged in a divergent shape) for the amount of stretching (magnification) in the TD direction. Is possible.

  As described above, the conveyance space 3 between the endless link devices 4 and 5 is roughly divided into three regions, and is divided into a preheating region 9, an extending region 10, and a heat fixing region 11 from the inlet side toward the outlet side. It is done. In each of these regions, a plurality of blowers 12 are arranged below the end of the link device that holds the sheet-like material. Each blower 12 is connected to a duct 13 extending to the side of the sheet end side, and air that is a heated gas introduced from the duct 13 is introduced into the blower 12. The high-temperature air introduced into the space in the blower 12 is blown out from the blow-out opening opened toward the upper part of the upper part of the blower 12 toward the lower surface of the sheet-like material passing therethrough.

  In response to the supply of such high-temperature air from the plurality of blowers 12, in the preheating region 9, the sheet-like material is heated to a high temperature, so that the deformation of the thermoplastic sheet-like material is facilitated, and the rear It is possible to suppress the occurrence of damage during the deformation in the region and the bias of the deformation. The preheating region 9 is an inlet through which the sheet-like material is introduced into the conveyance space 2, and the film side end portion of the link device guided and driven by the link guide rail 3 at the entrance is the end portion of the sheet-like material. Is gripped and the sheet-like object is pulled toward the exit side of the conveyance space 2 which is the direction of the circular operation of the link device, and conveyance is started.

  In the stretched region 10 that is a region adjacent to the rear side of the preheating region 9, the link guide rails 3 of the endless link devices 4 and 5 that face each other at both ends of the sheet-like material are arranged so as to spread toward the other end. The link device guided by the link guide rail 3 can extend (extend) the end of the sheet-like object to be gripped in the direction of both ends. Also in the stretching region 10, air having a temperature higher than that of the plurality of blowers 12 is supplied and blown to the lower surface of the sheet-like object, so that damage during stretching of the sheet-like object and unevenness in the amount of stretching are suppressed.

  In the heat fixing region 11, which is a region adjacent to the rear of the extending region 10, the link guide rails 3 of the endless link devices 4 and 5 are arranged substantially in parallel with each other at a distance of the exit portion of the preheating region 10. The sheet-like material gripped by the link device is transported with a substantially constant width, and is stretched by a predetermined amount by receiving the supply of high-temperature air from a plurality of blowers 12 arranged below this region. The shape and length are fixed by heating while maintaining the state.

  As will be described later, in this embodiment, the link device can be extended not only in the direction (width direction, TD direction) on both ends of the sheet-like material, but also in the conveying direction (MD direction) of the sheet-like material. In addition, the stretching ratio in these directions is variable. That is, by making the distance between the film side rails of the link guide rail 3 variable, the distance between the film ends can be changed in the transport direction so that the film can be stretched in the width direction (TD direction), and contrary to this. By making the distance between the film-side rails variable, the opening degree of the link device in the stretching region 10 can be made variable, and the amount of stretching in the sheet conveyance direction (MD direction) (for example, stretching ratio) Is configured to be changeable.

  In the present embodiment, such a change in the amount of stretching in the TD direction can be performed independently of a change in the MD direction, and a change in the amount of stretching in the MD direction is parallel to the change in the TD direction. It is possible to do it.

  With reference to FIG. 12, the outline of the operation of the present embodiment for stretching the sheet-like material will be described. FIG. 12 is a front view and a side view showing an outline of the arrangement of each part of the apparatus in the stretching region 10 when the sheet stretching apparatus shown in FIG. 1 operates to stretch the sheet. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an arrangement of apparatuses when performing an operation in which the amount of stretching in the width direction of the sheet-like material is 0 (stretching ratio is 1.0). FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the arrangement of apparatuses when performing an operation in which the amount of stretching in the width direction of the sheet-like material is 0 or more (stretching ratio is 1.0 or more).

  In FIG. 12 (a), since the amount of stretching in the width direction of the sheet-like material is 0, the sheet-like material is the same in any of the preheating region 9, the stretching region 10 and the heat fixing region 11 of this example. The width is substantially the same. That is, the opposed rails of the link guide rails 3 of the endless link devices 4 and 5 arranged on both ends of the sheet-like material are arranged substantially in parallel at substantially the same height. The gripping position of the gripping device in which the link device 200 that is guided and travels above grips the sheet-like object side end is also substantially parallel.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, when the amount of stretching in the width direction of the sheet-like material is 0 or more (stretching ratio is 1.0 or more), the stretching region 10 of the endless link devices 4 and 5 is used. The link guide rail 3 in FIG. 12 is displaced to the outside of the sheet-like object in the width direction as compared with the state shown in FIG. 12A, and the distance between the link guide rails 3 positioned on both ends of the sheet-like object is increased. It is located so as to increase in the shape of the end. For this reason, the distance between both ends of the arrow in the figure is larger in the case of (b).

  In this embodiment, the distance between the link guide rails 3 in the extension region 10 can be freely changed, and the amount of extension can be variably adjusted. In response to a signal for instructing a change in the amount of stretching, the respective rail bases are moved in the width direction of the sheet by the connected driving means, and the size of the end spread of the link guide rail 3 is changed. .

  Furthermore, in the heat fixing part 11 located on the downstream side of the extending region 10 (the outlet side of the sheet-like material), the opposing rails of the link guide rail 3 are substantially parallel at a distance at the outlet of the extending region 10. Are arranged as follows. As a result, the sheet-like material is maintained with the length in the width direction substantially the same as that of the outlet of the extending portion 10, and high-temperature air is supplied from below so as to fix the shape of the sheet-like material. After being conveyed to the outlet, the link device is removed.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when stretching is performed in the conveyance direction of the sheet-like material and the amount of this stretching is made variable, both ends of the sheet-like material are opposed in the stretching region 10. The distance between the film side rail (outer peripheral rail) and the anti-film side rail (inner peripheral rail) of each of the rails on the conveyance side of the link guide rail 3 is reduced in a narrow shape in the sheet conveyance direction. It is configured to be possible. By disposing the two rails in a narrow shape, the distance between the fold-like link devices guided on them increases, and the sheet-like object is positioned on the sheet-like object side of the link device. The interval between the gripping positions for gripping the end portion is increased, and the sheet-like material is stretched in the traveling direction of the link device (sheet-like material transport direction).

  Moreover, in the heat setting area | region 11 adjacent to the extending | stretching area | region 10, the film side rail of the link guide rail 3 set at the exit of the extending | stretching area | region 10 so that the distance between link apparatuses may become substantially constant through the heat fixing area | region 11, and The distance between the anti-film side rails is maintained. In the heat setting region 11, the distance between the film-side rail and the anti-film-side rail from the entrance to the place where the sheet-like material on the exit side is removed is substantially constant, and both are arranged substantially in parallel.

  Since the distance varies depending on the amount of stretching in the stretching region 10, in the heat fixing region 11, the film-side rail and the anti-film-side rail are adjusted in accordance with the spacing of the link guide rail 3 that is variable in the stretching region 10. It is configured to be able to adjust the interval between them.

  Further, in this embodiment, at least a part of the return side rail of the heat fixing region 11 increases the rail interval, and decreases the interval of the link device which is enlarged to extend the sheet-like material. In other words, since the number of links is constant on the link guide rail 3 that is a closed path, another portion that increases the amount of decrease in the number of links per unit length in the extending region 10 is required. In the present embodiment, the link guide rail 3 is arranged at a location on a substantially straight line on the return rail on both ends of the heat fixing region 11 of the apparatus.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the configuration of one endless link device 4 in the preheating region 9 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. In this figure, the endless link device 4 in the preheating region 9 is configured by being roughly divided into three stages in the vertical direction. An installation base 13 is disposed above the floor surface to which the endless link device 4 is grounded. The members of the endless link device 4 are connected and disposed above the installation base 13, and the installation base 13 becomes a basic member that supports the load generated when driving the link together with the weight of these members. Yes.

  Above the installation base 13, a traveling table 15 is connected via an intermediate member 14, and its position is fixed. The traveling table 15 supports a member connected to the upper side thereof, and also supports a load at the time of link driving and transmits the load to the lower installation base 13. Further, the traveling table 15 includes a slide base 16 for moving the position of the link guide rail 3 and a plurality of links guided by the link guide rail 3 in the width direction of the sheet-like object, a drive unit 17 for moving the slide base 16 and the drive. The drive shaft 18 driven by the part 17 is connected. In other words, the slide base 16 to which the link guide rail 3 is grounded is disposed on the end portion side of the sheet-like object of the traveling table 15, and the motor that rotationally drives the drive shaft 18 on the opposite end (outside of the apparatus). A drive unit 17 including the unit 19 is disposed.

  Furthermore, at least one TD guide rail 20 that extends in the width direction (TD direction) of the sheet-like material and on which the slide base 16 is slidably mounted thereon is disposed on the upper surface of the traveling table 15. The slide base 16 moves along the TD guide rail 20 along with the operation of the drive shaft 18. Further, a rail base 21 that supports the link guide rail 3 is placed above the end of the slide base 16 on the sheet-like object side, and the TD of the link guide rail 3 is moved along with the movement of the slide base 16. Its position is moved in the direction.

  As described above, the driving unit 17 is connected and fixed to the end of the traveling table 15 in the sheet width direction, and the rotation of the driving shaft 19 is transmitted to the slide base 16 by the driving of the motor unit 19 in the driving unit 17. Thus, the slide base 16 moves along the substantially straight TD guide rail 20 extending on the upper surface of the slide base 16 in the width direction of the sheet-like material.

  In the above-described configuration, a screw-like groove is disposed on the surface of the drive shaft 18 that forms a substantially cylindrical axis, and the screw portion 22 formed with a screw-like groove that meshes with the groove has the slide base 16. It is arrange | positioned on the lower surface of. Due to the rotation of the screw-like groove by the rotational drive of the drive shaft 18, the slide base 16 having the threaded portion 22 meshed therewith is directed in the direction toward the film side which is the axial direction of the drive shaft or the opposite device outer side (the anti-film side). Moving.

  The rail base 21 disposed above the end portion of the slide base 16 on the transport space 2 side is disposed so as to be connected to the slide base 16 below the pair of transport side and return side rails of the link guide rail 3. In this embodiment, the positions of the rail base 21 that supports the four rails and the link guide rail 3 that is supported by the rail base 21 are fixed with respect to the slide base 16.

  FIG. 4 shows an outline of the configuration of the endless link device in the extending region of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this figure, the endless link apparatus 4 in the extending | stretching area | region 10 is divided and comprised by the structure of about 3 steps | paragraphs about the up-down direction. An installation base 23 is disposed above the floor surface to which the endless link device 4 is grounded. The members of the endless link device 4 are connected and arranged above the installation base 23, and the installation base 23 becomes a basic member that supports the load generated when the link is driven together with the weight of these members. Yes.

  Above this installation base 23, a traveling carriage 25 is connected via a support 24, and its position is fixed. The traveling carriage 25 supports a member connected to the upper side of the traveling carriage 25 and supports a load at the time of driving the link and transmits the load to the lower installation base 23 side. Further, on the traveling carriage 25, a link base rail 3 and a slide base 26 for moving the positions of the plurality of links guided by the link guide rail 3 in the width direction of the sheet-like material, and a drive unit 27 for moving the slide base 26, A drive shaft 28 driven by the drive unit 27 is connected. That is, the slide base 26 on which the link guide rail 3 is arranged is arranged on the end side of the sheet-like object of the traveling carriage 25, and the drive shaft 28 is rotated on the opposite side (outside of the apparatus). A drive unit 27 including a motor unit 29 to be driven is disposed.

  Further, a TD guide rail 30 on which the slide base 26 is slidably mounted is disposed on the upper surface of the traveling carriage 25, and the TD guide rail 30 is moved according to the operation of the drive shaft 28. Move along this up. Also, rail bases 31, 32, 33 for supporting the link guide rail 3 thereon are placed above the film side end of the slide base 26, and the link guide rail 3 is moved along with the movement of the slide base 26. The position of the sheet is moved in the width direction (TD direction).

  Further, between the installation base 23 or the support 24 and the traveling carriage 25, it extends to the entrance side or the exit side (conveying direction, MD direction) of the conveyance space 2, and the traveling carriage 25 is MD direction thereon. Two MD guide rails 34 that are movably mounted are arranged. This is because, as will be described later, when the link guide rail 3 or the slide base 26 is moved in the width direction of the sheet-like object, the MD direction of the ring guide rail 3 necessary for realizing a necessary amount of stretching. It is installed to realize the movement.

  In the present embodiment, as in the case of the preheating region 9, the driving unit 27 is connected and fixed to the end of the traveling carriage 25 in the sheet width direction, and is driven by the motor unit 29 in the driving unit 27. The rotation of the drive shaft 29 having the screw-like groove disposed on the surface thereof is transmitted through the screw portion 35 disposed below the slide base 26 and meshed with the screw-like groove on the surface of the drive shaft 29, so that the slide base The slide base 26 moves in the TD direction along a substantially linear TD guide rail 30 that extends in the width direction of the sheet-like material on the upper surface. At this time, the positions of the rail bases 31, 32 and 33 arranged on the slide base 26 are moved together with the slide base 26. Further, the MD direction is configured to be movable together with the slide base 26.

  Further, in this embodiment, in the stretching region 10, not only the amount of stretching in the width direction (TD direction) of the sheet material but also the amount in the transport direction (MD direction) can be changed. That is, in order to make it possible to change the distance in the TD direction between the two link guide rails 3 disposed on the two rail bases 31 and 32 disposed on the film side end portion of the slide base 26, The film-side rail base 31 having a film-side rail 36 on the upper side, which is a rail close to the end of the article, is placed on the opposite side of the sheet-like article across the film-side rail 37 with respect to the width direction end of the sheet-like article The structure which displaces with respect to the rail base 32 which has the rail 37 in the upper part is provided.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, another motor unit 38 disposed above the motor unit 29 in the upper part of the drive unit 27, and coupled to the motor unit 38 and disposed directly above the drive shaft 28 and coupled to the rail base 31. The drive shaft 39 is provided. Thus, in the present embodiment, the motor units 29 and 38 and the drive shafts 28 and 39 are arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction.

  A threaded portion in which a thread-like groove is formed is disposed on the surface of the cylindrical portion at the end of the upper drive shaft 39 having a substantially cylindrical shape on the sheet-like object side, and the rail base 31 is engaged with the groove of the threaded portion. It is connected and arranged, and moves to the side of the sheet-like material in the TD direction or to the outside of the apparatus with the rotation of the screw portion by the rotation of the drive shaft 39.

  FIG. 6 shows an outline of the configuration in the vicinity of the end portion on the sheet-like object side of the slide base 26 in the extending region 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 6A is a top view showing the configuration of the slide base 26 and the rail bases 31, 32, 33 on the traveling carriage 25 in the extending region 10. FIG. 6B is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of the configuration of the upper portion of the traveling carriage 25 in the extending region 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in this embodiment, since the link guide rails 3 in the extending region 10 are arranged in a divergent shape, a plurality of rails are provided below the inner and outer peripheries of the link guide rail 3 in the extending region 10. A support member configured by connecting the members is disposed. That is, a plurality of rail bases 31a to 31f that extend from the entrance to the exit of the extending region 10 and are connected to and connected to each of the film-side rail 36 and the anti-film-side rail 37 that are the respective link guide rails 3; 32a-f are arranged, and these rail bases are connected to each other to constitute one rail base that supports each of the inner and outer peripheral rails of the ring guide rail 3. In addition, the two rail bases 33 that support the inner and outer rails of the return side rail of the extending region 10 from below are each made up of six members 33a to 33f, similar to the rails on the sheet conveyance side. It is comprised as two rail bases 33 comprised by connecting 33a'-f '.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the extending region 10 is partitioned into a plurality of regions 65a to 65f that are continuous in the sheet conveyance direction, and each of the regions 65a to 65f corresponds to the corresponding rail base 31a to f, 32a to f, 33a. -F, 33a'-f 'and the part of the link guide rail 3 supported above it. The four parts of the inner and outer circumferences of the link guide rail 3 arranged in the extension region 10 are six rail bases 31a to f, 32a to f, 33a to f, 33a ′ from the entrance to the exit of the extension region 10, respectively. Are supported by a support member that is connected to be rotatable about a shaft in a substantially horizontal direction by a joint 63 having an axial center extending in a substantially vertical direction. For this reason, in the extending | stretching area | region 10, it is supported from the downward direction by the supporting member provided with six beam-shaped members and the seven joint parts which connect these about one guide rail.

  Furthermore, in the case of rail bases arranged corresponding to the regions 65a to 65f in the width direction (TD direction) of the sheet-like material, for example, 31a, 32a, 33a, 33a ′, the traveling cart 25a and the slide arranged below It is connected to the base 26a, is moved in the TD direction and the MD direction by the corresponding drive unit 27a and drive shafts 28a, 39a, and the distance between the rail base 31a and the rail base 32a is variably adjusted.

  In the present embodiment, members corresponding to each of the regions 65a to 65f, for example, the rail bases 31a, 32a, 33a, 33a ′, 32a, 33a, 33a ′ are connected to the connecting rod 64a, and any TD The movement in the direction is transmitted to the other members and moved. Further, these corresponding members are beam-like members having substantially the same length, and when the link guide rail 3 moves in the TD direction, these corresponding members are approximately the sides between the joints 63 at both ends. Form parallelograms. In addition, since the rail base 31a is connected to the rail base 32a, when the amount of extension in the MD direction is not 1 or more, the rail bases 31a and 32a also form a substantially parallelogram with joints at both ends. To do. The other regions 65b to 65f have the same configuration.

  The driving operation in each of the regions connected in the extending region 10 having such a configuration interlocks the rail bases 31, 32, 33 in each region to form a substantially parallelogram shape, and these are connected. Thus, the divergent shape of the link guide rail 3 connected and supported upward is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in this embodiment, the link guide rail 3 and rail bases 31, 32, 33 arranged below and support the link guide rail 3 at the sheet-like object side end portion of the slide base 26, as shown in FIG. Is arranged. Among these, the rail base 33 is fixedly connected to a connection box 40 that is connected to the upper surface of the slide base 26 with its position fixed.

  The two guide rails arranged on the rail base 33 are configured such that the link device that grips the sheet-like material and conveys the sheet-like material to the exit side of the conveyance space 2 releases the end of the sheet-like material at the exit side end. This is a return-side rail 41 that guides a route that rotates after meshing with the sprocket 8 disposed on the outlet side and rotating after being released.

  Further, the rail base 32 to which the anti-film side rail 37 is disposed and connected is connected to the slide base 26 and the upper portion of the connecting column 42. Further, the rail base 31 with the film side rail 36 disposed and connected thereabove is connected to the threaded portion at the tip of the drive shaft 39, and the connecting column 42 and the rail base thereabove are connected via the drive shaft 39. 32, connected to the anti-film side rail 37. Therefore, the rail bases 31 and 32 move in the TD direction as the slide base 26 moves in the TD direction due to the operation of the drive shaft 28 (not shown).

  On the other hand, the connecting column 42 is connected to the inside of the drive shaft 39 via a spherical bearing 45 arranged around the rotation axis, and the rotation operation of the drive shaft 39 is not transmitted to the connecting column 42. For this reason, it is possible to move in the TD direction together with the rail bases 32 and 33, the non-film side rail 37 and the return side rail 41 in accordance with the operation of the slide base 26. On the other hand, the drive shaft 39 is rotated by moving the rail base 31 against the anti-film side rail 37, the rail base 32, or the return side rail 41 and the rail base 33 connected to the rail base 31 via the threaded portion at the tip. , It can be moved by a desired distance. As described above, the rail base 31 below the film side rail 36 is connected to the screw portion 110 disposed in the cylindrical portion at the tip of the drive shaft 39.

  Furthermore, the rail base 31 above the screw portion 110 is connected to the inside thereof by inserting a trunnion 43 that is a cylindrical member connected to the screw portion 110 of the drive shaft 39. The trunnion 43 is disposed so that the axis of the cylinder forms an angle substantially perpendicular to the axis of the drive shaft 39, and slides along the surface of the rail base 31 and the axis of the cylinder to each other. It is configured to be able to rotate.

  The drive shaft 39 is connected to the connection box 40 by a bearing portion 111 disposed on the side wall in the width direction of the sheet-like material of the connection box 40 and is rotatably supported. As described above, on the drive shaft 39 between the bearing portion 111 and the screw portion 110 on the sheet-like object side of the connection box 40, flexible couplings 68 and 69 are arranged at two locations in the rotational axis direction. The drive shaft 39 is configured to be able to transmit the rotation to the screw portion 110 while maintaining the bending angle in a state where the rotation shaft is bent at these two locations.

  In such a configuration, the screw portion of the tip portion thereof is rotated by the rotation of the drive shaft 39, the trunnion 43 connected to the portion engaged with the screw portion of the drive shaft 39, and the rail base 31 in which this is disposed. And the position of the upper film side rail 36 is moved. The drive shaft 39 is driven by a driving force transmitted from a motor unit 38 arranged separately from the motor unit 29 that drives the drive shaft 28 arranged below the drive shaft 39. The motor units 29 and 38 are arranged so as to be able to send and receive command signals from a control device (not shown), and the two drive shafts 28 and 39 correspond to the corresponding motor units 29 and 38 that have received signals from the control device. The operation is transmitted and received, and can be driven independently.

  Therefore, the rail base 31 and the film side rail 36 can be freely changed in distance with respect to the anti-film side rail 37 which is the link guide rail 3 adjacent to the outer side in the width direction of the film. The distance in the running direction of the plurality of endless links that are guided by the film-side rail 36 and the anti-film-side rail 37 and run on them, that is, the amount of stretching in the MD direction can be changed. From the above configuration, the slide base 26 is driven in the TD direction on the TD guide rail 30 with respect to the traveling carriage 25 by driving the drive shaft 28, and the tip of the drive shaft 39 with respect to the sli base 26 of the rail base 31 by driving the drive shaft 39 The movement along the axial direction is performed independently.

  When the slide base 26 is driven by the drive shaft 28 and moves in the TD direction in a state where the rail base 31 is not driven by the drive shaft 39 and does not change its position with respect to the slide base 26, the sheet-like object is sandwiched between them. The distance between the endless link devices arranged on the both end sides is changed, and only the amount of stretching in the TD direction is changed.

  In such an operation, the drive shaft 39 disposed above expands and contracts in accordance with the movement of the lower slide base 26 relative to the traveling carriage 25. The drive shaft 39 of the present embodiment has a configuration including at least two inner and outer substantially coaxially arranged cylinders and cylinders, one of which is connected to the traveling carriage 25 or the driving unit 27 coupled thereto, and the traveling carriage 25. The position is fixed to the slide base 26, and the other is connected to the slide base 26 at least at one place, and the position is fixed to the slide base 26. With such a configuration, in accordance with the above operation, one side slides along the axis inside the other, and is retracted and retracted to change the length.

  In this embodiment, the location on the drive shaft 39 and the rail base 32 below the anti-film side rail 37 are connected. That is, a trunnion 44, which is a cylindrical member, is inserted into the rail base 32 and connected to the lower drive shaft 39. The trunnion 44 is arranged so that the cylinder axis forms an angle substantially perpendicular to the axis of the drive shaft 39 and slides around the axis of the rail base 32 and the cylinder along the surface thereof to rotate relative to each other. Is configured to be possible.

  Further, the drive shaft 39 and the trunnion 43 or the members connected below the drive shaft 39 are connected by a spherical bearing 45 that supports a spherical portion of the surface disposed on the drive shaft 39, and the trunnion 43 and the rail base 32 are connected to each other. The drive shaft 39 is connected to restrain the position.

  Further, when the drive shaft 28 is not driven and the slide base 26 is not displaced with respect to the traveling carriage 25 and the rail base 31 is displaced with respect to the slide base 26 by the operation of the drive shaft 39, a plurality of connected The distance between the link devices is changed, and only the amount of stretching in the MD direction is changed.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of the configuration of the endless link device in the heat fixing region of the embodiment shown in FIG. The structure of the heat fixing region 11 of the endless link devices 4 and 5 is also composed of roughly three parts in the vertical direction, like the extending region 10. That is, an installation base 46 connected and fixed above the floor surface on which the apparatus is installed, a support carriage 47 connected to the upper part of the installation base 46, and a traveling carriage 48 arranged so as to be movable in the MD direction. The slide base 49 is arranged so as to be movable in the TD direction above.

  Further, above the slide base 49, rail bases 50, 51 and 52 for supporting the link guide rail 3 from below are arranged. Further, a driving unit 53 including a motor for moving the slide base 49 and the rail bases 50 and 52 in the TD direction is fixed to the traveling carriage 48 at an end portion in the TD direction of the traveling carriage 48. .

  The traveling carriage 48 is placed on and connected to two MD guide rails 54 disposed above the lower support 47 and extending in the MD direction, and can slide in these directions and move in the MD direction. It is configured. With this configuration, it is possible to move in the MD direction according to the displacement in the TD direction of the connected stretched regions 10. Further, at least one TD guide rail 55 extending in the TD direction is disposed above the traveling carriage 48, and these are coupled between the slide base 49 disposed above the motor and the motor of the drive unit 53. The drive shaft 56 transmits the rotational operation of the motor to the slide base 49, and the slide base 49 slides on the upper part and moves in the TD direction.

  Further, in the configuration of the endless link device 4 in the heat fixing region 11 shown in this figure, a drive shaft 57 is provided that is disposed so that the position of the shaft is superimposed directly above the drive shaft 56 that moves the slide base 49 in the TD direction. It has been. The drive shaft 57 has a threaded portion 58 at the tip thereof, similarly to the drive shaft 39 in the extending region 10, and a cylindrical shape in which the threaded portion 58 and the rail base 50 thereabove are disposed. Are connected via a trunnian 59. The drive shaft 57 is rotated by being connected to a motor disposed above the motor for driving the drive shaft 56 in the TD direction in the drive unit 53, and the upper trunnian 59 connected through a screw part 58. The distance between the film side rail 60, which is transmitted to the rail base 50 as movement in the TD direction and is connected to the upper side of the rail base 50, is changed above the rail base 51 with respect to the anti-film side rail 61 connected thereto.

With such a configuration, the slide base 49 is set to the TD in accordance with the reference length in the width direction of the sheet-like material that is changed and set in the preheating region 9 and the amount of stretching in the TD direction that is adjusted and set in the stretching region 10. Moved in the direction.
Further, depending on the amount of stretching in the MD direction that is adjusted and set in the stretching region 10, the position of the rail base 50 and the film side rail 60 connected thereto above the rail base 51 or the anti-film side rail 61 is changed. And the distance between them is set.

  Furthermore, the rail base 52 of this figure is arranged on another TD guide rail arranged between and above another slide base connected to this on another traveling carriage (not shown). It is connected. In addition, the other slide base is connected to the outer end of the endless link device 4 in the TD direction of another travel cart through a drive shaft and a drive shaft, similarly to the travel cart 48 and the slide base 49, When the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the drive shaft, another slide base moves on the other trolley in the TD direction on the TD guide rail.

  In addition, the rail base 52 moves in the TD direction together with the slide base connected thereto, and at a distance from the rail base 51 (or relative to the inner return side return rail 112 disposed above the rail base 51). The position can be variably adjusted, and the distance between them can be changed. With such a configuration, for example, by increasing the distance between the outer peripheral return side rail 113 and the inner peripheral return side rail 112 that are arranged on and supported by the rail base 52, the sheet is stretched in the stretch region 10. When the amount of stretching in the MD direction of the object is increased to reduce the number of links existing in this region, the storage portion, which is the location where the number of links is increased, is set as the return side rail of the heat fixing region 11 Form on top.

  The effect | action of the said storage part is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the link device 200 on the link guide rail of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this schematic diagram, two states of the arrangement of the link devices in the endless link device 5 shown in FIG. 1 are illustrated. In these drawings, the inner and outer double dotted lines indicate the link guide rail 3, and the sawtooth line shown between them indicates the link device.

  Among these drawings, FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state where the amount of stretching in the MD direction is small, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state where the amount of stretching in the MD direction is large. In the state of FIG. 7B, the number of isometric links 201 existing in the extension region 10 is smaller than the number in FIG. That is, the distance in the width direction of the sheet-like material between the film-side rail 36 and the anti-film-side rail 37 in the stretching region 10 becomes smaller toward the exit side of the conveyance space 2, and the equal-length links 201 move together. The interval in the direction (direction of the link guide rail 3) is increased. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the reduced number of links on the return side of the link guide rail 3.

  That is, the number of links is adjusted on the return side rail between the sprocket 6 at the entrance of the preheating region 9 and the sprocket 8 at the exit side of the heat fixing region 11. That is, a location for increasing the distance between the rail on the return side of the device (inner side of the link guide rail 3) and the rail on the outside of the device (outer side of the link guide rail 3) is arranged. The distance between the equal-length links 201 is decreased to increase the number of links per unit length of the link guide rail 3.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, a storage section 62 is arranged on the return side rail of the heat fixing region 11 to adjust the distance between the inner and outer link guide rails 3 to increase the number of links. Therefore, as described above, the rail base 52 that supports the return rail on the outer peripheral side from below is configured to move in the TD direction with respect to the slide base 49 or the rail base 51. In this storage portion 62, the inner peripheral side link guide rail 3 is substantially linear, and the rail base 52 that supports the outer peripheral side link guide rail 3 is made of a beam material extending substantially linearly. Thus, the change of the link interval by the movement of the rail base 52 in the storage section 62 is facilitated, and the movement of the link device is made smooth.

  As described above, the endless link devices 4 and 5 in the heat fixing region 11 include the rail base 50 that supports the film side rail 60 on the sheet-like object side of the slide base 49 and the rail base 52 that supports the outer peripheral rail of the return side rail. However, the width direction (TD direction) of the sheet-like material with respect to the slide base 49 disposed therebetween and the rail base 51 disposed above and supporting the anti-film side rail 61 and the inner peripheral side return rail. The distance (gap) is variable.

  Then, on the downstream side of the sprocket 8 of the link guide rail 3 in the heat fixing region 11, the outer peripheral rail is arranged in a divergent shape with respect to the moving direction of the link device with respect to the substantially linear inner peripheral rail. The interval is increased as it goes to the flow. Thereby, the space | interval of links reduces, a link apparatus shrink | contracts, and the number of links per unit length of the link guide rail 3 increases. On the downstream side of the storage section 62, the link device is a sprocket on the inlet side of the endless link device 5 with the number of links per unit length determined by the link interval set by the return-side rail inner / outer rail interval of the preheating region 10. Move towards 6. The same applies to the upstream side of the sprocket 6 on the return side rail of the preheating region 9.

  The relationship between the drive shaft 39 and the link guide rail 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the operation of the drive shaft 39 and the operation of the link guide rail 3 in an arbitrary region of the extending region 10 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8A shows an operation in an arbitrary region between the regions 65a to 65f when the amount of stretching only in the TD direction is increased in the stretching region 10 (stretching ratio is 1.0 or more). Is shown. Since it is an arbitrary region, the symbol is represented by the drive shaft 39 and the rail bases 31 and 32.

  Since the rail base 31 below the film side rail 36 and the rail base 32 below the anti-film side rail 37 of the link guide rail 3 are connected to the drive shaft 39 by driving the drive shaft 39, the rail base 31 is in the TD direction. Moved. In this figure, the slide base 26 arranged below the drive shaft 39 and connected to the rail bases 31 and 32 and moving in parallel and the traveling carriage 25 connected to and below the slide base 26 are omitted.

  Thus, when only the amount of stretching in the TD direction is changed, as described above, the corresponding rail bases 31 and 32 are formed in the width direction of the sheet-like material so as to form a substantially parallelogram having the joints 63 at both ends as apexes. Move to. This figure shows a case where the endless link device 4 moves upward, which is the device outer side direction, to increase the amount of stretching. At this time, the drive shaft 28 is rotationally driven so that the slide base 26 moves to the outside (upward in the figure) of the endless link device 4, and the drive is disposed above and connected to the rail base 32 by a spherical bearing 45 (not shown). As the shaft 39 moves upward in the figure, the inner and outer double cylindrical structures are contracted to shorten the length.

  On the other hand, the rail bases 31 and 32, which form a substantially parallelogram with the joint 63 as the apex, move so as to rotate upward in the figure with the joint 63 on the left side in the figure as a fulcrum in accordance with the extending operation. Thus, the positions of the connecting portions 66 and 67 between these and the drive shaft 39 move upward and move to the left in the figure. That is, even when the amount of stretching is changed only in the TD direction, the connecting portions 66 and 67 move in the MD direction. Therefore, a configuration for moving the drive shaft 39 in the MD direction is required.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the traveling carriage 25 is slidably disposed on the MD guide rail 34 disposed below the traveling carriage 25. For this reason, as the traveling base 25 moves in the MD direction as the slide base 26 moves in the TD direction, the drive shaft 39 moves, and the rail bases 31 and 32 can move smoothly. 32, the drive shaft 39 and the application of a large external force to the connecting portions 66 and 67 are suppressed.

  FIG. 8B shows not only the amount of stretching in the TD direction of the sheet material but also the rail bases 31 and 32, the drive shaft 39, and the connecting portion when the amount of stretching in the MD direction is changed. 66 and 67 are shown. As shown in this figure, when the amount of stretching in the MD direction is changed, for example, when the amount of stretching is increased (the stretching ratio is increased), the distance between the film side rail 36 and the anti-film side rail 37 is increased. It is necessary to arrange the gap in a tapered shape in the sheet conveyance direction (traveling direction of the link device).

  For this reason, the drive shaft 39 is driven so that the distance between the joints 63 at the corresponding ends of the rail bases 31 and 32 in any region becomes smaller on the travel direction side of the link device. On the other hand, as shown in the drawing, in this case, the connecting portions 66 and 67 are in a positional relationship having an inclination from a position parallel to the axial direction of the original drive shaft 39 in the TD direction, and therefore, one highly rigid member. With the structure of the drive shaft 39 configured as described above, it is difficult to displace the rail bases 31 and 32 in the tapered manner.

  In this embodiment, in order to change the amount of stretching in the MD direction, the drive shaft 39 is configured to bend according to the displacement of the connecting portion 66 or 67 that occurs according to the change in the amount of stretching. For this reason, in the drive shaft 39, flexible couplings 68 and 69 are arranged at two different locations on the drive motor side (outside of the link device) of the connecting portion 67 connected to the rail base 32 on the anti-film side. These flexible couplings 68 and 69 transmit two rotations from one to the other in the axial direction of the drive shaft 39 and are two axes substantially orthogonal to each other configured to be able to maintain a predetermined angle between both sides. It is a connecting member that can rotate around.

  Since the flexible couplings 68 and 69 are provided, the drive shaft 39 can be connected to the rail base 31 corresponding to the film side rail 36 and the flexible coupling 68 when the amount of stretching in the MD direction is changed. The drive shaft 39a between the flexible couplings 68 and 69 and the drive shaft 39b between the flexible couplings 68 and 69 are at different angles with respect to the drive shaft 39c on the drive unit 27 side from the flexible coupling 69, particularly on the opposite side in the MD direction ( In the conveying direction upstream side and downstream side), the shape is inclined. FIG. 8B shows a case where the rail bases 31 and 32 are tapered in an example in which the draw ratio in the MD direction is 1.0 or more. In this example, the drive shaft 39a is located upstream in the conveying direction ( The drive shaft 39b is inclined to the downstream side in the conveying direction (the heat fixing region 11 side).

  The structure of the location where the rail bases 31, 32, or 33 belonging to a plurality of regions constituting the extending region 10 are connected will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a top view schematically illustrating a configuration in the vicinity of the joint 63 that connects the rail bases 31 and 32 belonging to any adjacent region of the extending region 10.

  In this figure, in particular, the vicinity of the joint 63 between the regions 65a and 65b is shown. The joint 63 is a place where the film side rails 36 and 37 on the rail bases 31a, 31b and 32a and 32b bend according to the movement of the lower rail bases 31a, 31b and 32a and 32b. That is, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the film-side rail bases 31a and 31b have through-holes (not shown) formed at the respective ends of the joints 63, and have axes in a substantially vertical direction (paper surface direction in the drawing). The connection pin 70 having a substantially cylindrical shape is connected by penetrating, and is configured to be rotatable around an axis.

  Further, the two rail bases 32 a and 32 b corresponding to the anti-film side rail 37 are similarly connected through the end portions thereof by connecting pins 71 having axes in the substantially vertical direction, and are rotated around the axis of the connecting pins 71. It is configured to be movable. By the relative rotation of each pair of the rail bases 31a and 31b or 32a and 32b, the upper film side rails 36 and 37 are bent above the connecting pins 70 and 71 to change their directions. It is configured to be possible.

  In the present embodiment, each of the inner and outer peripheral rails of the link guide rail 3 in the extension region 10 includes a portion disposed on each support member supported from below and this portion on the adjacent support member. And a portion disposed between and connected to the rail or the supporting members on both sides.

  More specifically, as shown in the drawing, film side rails 36a and 36b, which are parts constituting the film side rail 36, are arranged above the rail bases 31a and 31b, respectively, and the rail bases 31a and 31b are respectively provided below the rail bases 31a and 31b. It is connected and supported. These film-side rails 36a and 36b are shorter than the corresponding rail bases 31a and 31b, and are portions of both ends of the rail bases 31a and 31b that are connected to other adjacent support members. It is arranged between these without covering the top. The same applies to the rail bases 32 a and 32 b corresponding to the anti-film side rail 37.

  Further, the joint base rail 72 constituting the film side rail 36 and the anti-film side rail 37 are formed on the joint 63 between the rail bases 31a, 31b or 32a, 32b between them and the connecting pins 70 or 71. A joint rail 73 is disposed. Both ends of the joint rail 72 are fastened to the rail bases 31a and 31b on both sides or the film side rails 36a and 36b by means such as bolts, and the positions thereof are fixed. The same applies to the joint rail 73. Further, each of the joint rails 72 and 73 includes a plurality of slits 74 and 75 at positions above the connecting pins 70 and 71 in order to realize bending or bending according to a change in the amount of extension.

  Each of the slits 74 and 75 is arranged on both side surfaces in the extending direction of the joint rails 72 and 73 having a substantially rectangular cross section or the traveling direction of the link, and the tip from one side surface to the other side surface is from the other side surface. It extends to a position left by a predetermined distance. The slits 74 of the present embodiment are each configured by a substantially planar gap having a predetermined width, and are arranged in parallel in a staggered manner so as to alternately extend from each side surface of the joint rail 72 toward the other side surface. Yes. Thus, the joint rail 72 can be bent or bent in the direction in which the slits 74 extend. The slit 75 is similarly provided in the joint rail 73.

  As described above, the joint rail 72 is connected to the lower adjacent rail bases 31a and 31b or the film side rails 36a and 36b by connecting means such as bolts 76, and the positions of both ends thereof are fixed to these. Yes. On the other hand, in a portion above the connecting pin 70 constituting the joint 63, a gap is formed between the upper surface of the connecting pin 70 and the lower surface of the joint portion rail 72, thereby facilitating bending or bending and suppressing consumption. Similarly, the joint rail 73 is connected at both ends with bolts 77 to be fixed in position, and the lower surface thereof has a gap with the connecting pin 71.

  The configuration of the slits arranged in the bent portion of the link guide rail 3 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement and shape of the slits arranged in the link guide rail 3 of the embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the arrangement of the joint 63 of the link guide rail 3 and the sprockets 6, 7, 8 of one endless link device 4 of the endless link devices 4, 5 of FIG. 1. . In this figure, the link guide rail 3 of the extending | stretching area | region 10 has shown the state which moves to the apparatus outer side of TD direction, and extends | stretches a sheet-like material. The link device guided by the link guide rail 3 is driven by the sprocket 6 or 7 on the inlet side or the sprocket 8 on the outlet side, travels from the inlet side to the outlet side, and is an outlet of the preheating region 9 and extends. The sheet-like material gripped by changing the traveling direction to the outside (upward in the figure) with respect to the sheet-like material conveying direction at the bent portion of the entrance 10 is stretched in the TD direction or MD direction, and is the exit of the stretching region 10. Then, after the traveling direction is made again parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet-like material and reaches the outlet side at the bent portion of the inlet of the heat fixing region 11, the sprocket 6 on the inlet side is engaged with the sprocket 8 to change the direction to the inlet side. Drive to the return rail and drive.

  As described above, the stretched region 10 is divided into six regions 65a to 65f connected by the joint 63. Further, the heat fixing region 11 is provided between the film side rail 36 and the anti-film side rail 37 of the stretched region 10. In order to set this in accordance with the distance, the bent portions 78 and 79 are respectively provided on the upstream side of the sprocket 8 and on the downstream side of the sprocket 8 in order to form the storage portion 62 by adjusting the inner and outer rail spacing on the return side. Is arranged.

  FIGS. 10B and 10C are enlarged views showing the configuration of the link guide rail 3 in the vicinity of each joint 63 in the extension region 10 and the link guide rail 3 in the vicinity of the bent portions 78 and 79 of the heat fixing region 11. It is. In particular, it is a figure which shows the structure of the slit arrange | positioned at the link guide rail 3 in these places.

  In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the slits arranged on the link guide rails 3 of the joints 63 and the bent portions 78 and 79 is varied depending on the location. FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of each slit 74 or 75 of the joint rail 72 or 73 in the joint 63 at both ends of the region 65a of the extension region 10. In this figure, the slits 74 or 75 extending from one side surface of the joint rail 72 or 73 to the other side surface are alternately arranged in the link device traveling direction at an interval of a distance W1. Each of the slits 74 or 75 extends from the surface on one side toward the other side to a position separated from the other side surface by a predetermined distance W2.

  The distances W1 and W2 of the slits 74 and 75 of the joint rails 72 and 73 at both ends of the region 65a are such that W1 is larger than W2. In the present embodiment, such a configuration is such that the location of the link guide rail 3 corresponding to the joint 63 that is a connecting portion between the exit region 65f of the extension region 10 and the entrance of the heat fixing region 11 and the return side rail heat fixing. The location of the link guide rail 3 corresponding to the joint 63 of the connecting portion between the region 11 outlet and the extending region 10 inlet is also provided.

  FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of each slit 74 or 75 of the joint rail 72 or 73 in the joint 63 at both ends of the region 65c to 65e of the extending region 10. A distance W2 between the slits 74 or 75 arranged in the link guide rail 3 on the joint portion 63 corresponding to these regions 65c to 65e is made larger than in the case of FIG. 10B, and is equal to the distance W1. Or have been bigger. Such a configuration of the slits 74 and 75 also includes a portion of the link guide rail 3 corresponding to the bent portions 78 and 79 of the heat fixing region 11.

  By making W1 larger than W2 in the slits 74 and 75 of the joint rail 72 or 73 in the joint 63 at both ends of the region 65a of the extending region 10, the rigidity of the joint rails 72 and 73 is reduced to allow bending or bending. The degree can be increased. In the joint rails 72 and 73, the members between the side surfaces of the joint rails 72 and 73 and the slits 74 and 75 having a distance W2 as the link device travels, in particular, the joint rails in the vicinity of the tips of the slits 74 and 75. A large force acts on the members 72 and 73. This force repeatedly acts when a plurality of fold-like link devices travels, and the above portions are structurally susceptible to fatigue.

  Further, since the force applied by the link device traveling is generated in a portion where the bend of the link guide rail 3 is large, in this embodiment, the portion of the link guide rail 3 where the bend of the link guide rail 3 such as the inlet and outlet joints 63 of the extending region 10 is large. The distance W2 is made larger than the distance W2 between the other joints 63 and the bent portions 78 and 79 in order to suppress the occurrence of damage due to the action of the force and fatigue.

  Next, the flow of operation when the stretching machine 1 of this embodiment changes the amount of stretching for stretching the sheet-like material in the MD direction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation when the stretching amount of the sheet material in the MD direction of the stretching machine 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is changed.

The stretching machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the amount of stretching the sheet-like material can be changed not only in the TD direction but also in the MD direction.
When the amount of extension in the MD direction is changed, the link device on the transport side rail of the link guide rail 3 from the inlet of the preheating region 9 to the sprocket 8 on the outlet side of the heat fixing region 11 through the sprocket 7. The number of fluctuates. In this embodiment, the number of links on the return-side rail is increased or decreased by the amount changed.
At this time, the travel of the link device is adjusted according to the change of the position of the link guide rail 3 in the stretching region 10 and the heat fixing region 11 for changing the amount of stretching in the MD direction, The number of links on the transport side and return side rails can be increased and decreased smoothly.

  When changing the amount of stretching (stretching ratio) in the MD direction of the stretching machine 1 of the present embodiment, the amount of stretching using an input device (not shown) arranged so that the user can communicate with the stretching machine 1. Is transmitted to the stretching machine 1 (step 80). The command is for placing the devices including the endless link devices 4 and 5 according to the amount of stretching of the sheet-like material (step 80).

  The drawing machine 1 that has received a command including information on the draw ratio from the input device uses a calculator in the control device (not shown) and uses software such as a recorded operation program read from the recording device in the control device. Based on the wear, the operation of the stretching machine 1 is detected, and a command is transmitted to the drive units 17, 27, 53, etc. to adjust the operation of the stretching machine 1.

  In the stretching machine 1 of the present embodiment, since the operation steps of the stretching machine 1 differ depending on whether the stretching ratio is increased or decreased, the control device that has received a command from the input device first determines the amount of stretching according to the command. Increase / decrease is determined (step 81). If the amount of stretching is to be increased, the process proceeds to step 82. If it is to be decreased, the process proceeds to step 93.

  In step 82 and the subsequent steps, the arithmetic unit in the control device sets the MD magnification, calculates the rail movement amount according to the stretching magnification, inputs it to the storage device in the control device, and holds information on this movement amount. That is, in step 82, the distance between the film-side rail 36 and the anti-film-side rail 37 in each of the regions 65a to 65f of the stretching region 10 for the controller to realize a stretching ratio corresponding to the amount of stretching in the MD direction and the rails. The amount of movement of the bases 31a to 31f and the amount of movement of the rail base 50 in the heat fixing region 11 are calculated. Further, the number of link devices to be moved is calculated based on the draw ratio (step 83).

  Further, the number of rotations of the sprocket 8 is calculated based on the number of link devices to be moved (step 84), and the distance between the inner and outer rails in the reservoir 62 or the distance between the slide base 49 and the rail base 52 is calculated. Then, the amount of movement of the rail or rail base 52 is calculated (step 85).

  Next, the rail base 52 arranged on the return side of the heat fixing region 11 is driven, and the distance between the inner and outer rails on the return side of the heat fixing unit 11 is adjusted so that the value detected in step 85 is obtained. Set (step 86). After the start of the adjustment to the predetermined interval in step 86, the sprocket 8 is driven to rotate by the number obtained in step 84 after the predetermined time t1 has elapsed, and the link device is caused to travel from the conveyance side to the return side, and the storage unit The number of links in 62 is increased (steps 87 and 88).

  When the rotation of the sprocket 8 in step 88 is performed for a predetermined time t2 and it is determined that there is a sufficient isometric link 201 in the reservoir 62, the film side rail 36 and the anti-film side rail 37 detected in step 82 are detected. The rail bases 31a to 31f and the rail base 50 are driven and moved so as to be a distance between (steps 89 and 90).

  After the movement of step 90 is completed, the sprocket 6 or 7 and 8 is driven and rotated for a predetermined time t3, and the entire link device 200 is driven on the link guide rail 3 whose predetermined shape has been changed. Check if there are any abnormalities. At this time, the traveling speed of the link device is made smaller than the speed at which the sheet-like material is actually stretched to facilitate the detection of the abnormality (step 91). Abnormality is detected by a sensor that is arranged on at least one of the sprockets 6, 7, 8 and detects the rotational speed, a sensor that is arranged at a predetermined location on the link guide rail 3 and detects the number of passages of the link device and its running speed, etc. Done in In addition, when an abnormality is confirmed in the test run in step 91, the user is notified using a display on a display device (not shown) or a buzzer.

  In the present embodiment, when the input change amount of the stretching amount is large, the operations from step 86 to step 91 are repeated a predetermined number of times to achieve the above-described stretching amount change. That is, if a large change in the MD magnification is attempted in one operation, there is a high possibility that the running of the link device immediately after the shape is changed will be abnormal, and it is arranged at each joint 63 and the bent portions 78 and 79. Since the change in the force applied to the link guide rail 3 is large and there is a high risk of damage or deformation, the positions and links of the rail bases 31, 50, 53, etc. are divided into a plurality of times so that the desired change amount is obtained. The shape of the guide rail 3 is changed (step 92).

  In step 81, if it is determined that the input command is to reduce the amount of stretching, in step 91 and subsequent steps, the arithmetic unit in the control device sets the MD magnification and sets the rail according to the stretching magnification. The movement amount is calculated and input to a storage device in the control device, and information on this movement amount is held.

That is, in step 93, the control device realizes a stretching ratio corresponding to the amount of stretching in the MD direction, and the distance between the film-side rail 36 and the anti-film-side rail 37 in each of the regions 65a to 65f of the stretching region 10 and the rails. The amount of movement of the bases 31a to 31f and the amount of movement of the rail base 50 in the heat fixing region 11 are calculated. Further, based on the draw ratio, the number of link devices to be moved from the current-side draw area 10 and the heat-fixed area 11 from the transport-side link guide rail 3 and the return-side link guide rail 3 is calculated (step 94).
Further, the number of rotations of the sprocket 6 or 7 is calculated based on the number of link devices to be moved (step 95), and the distance between the inner and outer rails in the reservoir 62 or the distance between the slide base 49 and the rail base 52 is calculated. To calculate the amount of movement of the rail or rail base 52 (step 96).

  Next, the rail bases 31a to 31f and the rail base 50 are driven and moved so as to be the distance between the film side rail 36 and the non-film side rail 37 detected in step 91 (step 97).

  After the adjustment of the above steps to the predetermined interval is started and a predetermined time t4 has elapsed, the sprocket 6 or 7 is rotationally driven by the number obtained in step 84 to move the link device from the return side of the link guide rail 3 to the transport side. Further, the traveling side preheater 9 is traveled to the stretching side 10 to increase the number of links in the stretching region 10 (steps 98 and 99).

  When the sprocket 8 is rotated in step 88 for a predetermined time t5 and it is determined that there is sufficient equal-length link 201 at the portion where the film-side / anti-film-side rail spacing of the stretching region 10 is changed, heat setting is performed. The rail base 52 disposed on the return side of the region 11 is driven, and the distance between the inner and outer peripheral rails on the return side of the heat fixing unit 11 is adjusted so as to be the value detected in step 85, and the link device 200. Is set so that a desired number of equal-length links 201 exist in the storage unit 62 during the travel (steps 100 and 101).

  Similarly to step 91, after the movement of steps 97 to 101 is completed, the sprocket 6 or 7 and 8 is driven and rotated for a predetermined time t6, and the link device 200 is moved on the link guide rail 3 whose predetermined shape has been changed. Run the entire vehicle and check if there is any abnormality in the vehicle. (Step 102). Also, when the amount of stretching in the MD direction is decreased, the position of the rail bases 31, 50, 53, etc. and the link guides are divided into a plurality of times so that the desired amount of change is obtained as in the case of increasing the amount of stretching. The shape of the rail 3 is changed (step 103).

It is an upper surface explaining the outline of a structure of the drawing machine of the sheet-like material of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline of a structure of the link apparatus of the drawing machine of the sheet-like material shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the outline of a structure of the preheating part which concerns on the drawing machine of the sheet-like material shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the outline of a structure of the extending | stretching part which concerns on the extending | stretching machine of the sheet-like material shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the outline of a structure of the heat setting part of the drawing machine of the sheet-like material shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the guide rail part vicinity of the extending | stretching part shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the link apparatus on the link guide rail of the Example shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the operation | movement of a drive shaft and the operation | movement of a link guide rail in the arbitrary area | regions of the extending | stretching area | region shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the outline of the structure of the joint vicinity which connects the rail base which belongs to the arbitrary adjacent area | regions of an extending | stretching area | region. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning and the shape of the slit arrange | positioned at the link guide rail of the Example shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement in the case of changing the quantity of the extending | stretching of the sheet-like material of MD direction of the extending | stretching machine based on the Example shown in FIG. It is the front view and side view which show the outline of arrangement | positioning of each part of the apparatus in the operation | movement which the extending | stretching machine of the sheet-like material shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... stretching machine,
2 ... transport space,
3. Link guide rail,
4, 5 ... endless link device,
6,7,8 ... sprocket,
9 ... Preheating area,
10 ... stretched region,
11 ... heat setting region,
12 ... Blower,
13 ... Installation base,
14: Intermediate member,
15 ... Travel platform,
16 ... slide base,
17 ... Drive unit,
18 ... drive shaft,
19 ... motor part,
20 ... TD guide rail,
21 ... Rail base,
22 ... thread part,
23 ... Installation base,
24 ... support,
25 ... Travel cart,
26 ... slide base,
27 ... Drive unit,
28 ... drive shaft,
29 ... motor section,
30 ... TD guide rail,
31, 32, 33 ... rail base,
34 ... MD guide rail,
35 ... thread part,
36 ... Rail on the film side,
37 ... An anti-film side rail,
38 ... motor section,
39 ... drive shaft,
40 ... Connection box,
41 ... return side rail,
42. Connecting pillar,
43, 44 ... Trunnion,
45 ... spherical bearing,
46 ... Installation base,
47 ... support,
48 ... Travel cart,
49 ... slide base,
50, 51, 52 ... rail base,
53 ... Drive unit,
54 ... MD guide rail,
55 ... TD guide rail,
56, 57 ... drive shaft,
58 ... threaded part,
59 ... Tranian,
60 ... Rail on the film side,
61 ... An anti-film side rail,
62 ... Reservoir,
63 ... joint part,
64 ... connecting rod,
65 ... area,
66, 67 ... connecting part,
68, 69 ... flexible coupling,
70, 71 ... connecting pins,
72, 73 ... joint rail,
74, 75 ... slits,
76,77 ... bolts,
78, 79 ... bend,
110 ... thread part,
111 ... Bearing part,
112, 113 ... return rail,
200 ... Link device,
201 ... isometric link,
202 ... grabbing device,
203a, 203b ... chain links,
204 ... link shaft,
205, 206 ... rails,
207, 208 ... link shaft,
209, 210 ... link plate,
211, 212 ... Bearing holder,
211a, 212a ... bearing rollers,
213a, 213b, 214a, 214b ... radial bearings.

Claims (9)

A plurality of connected isometric links that grip both ends in the width direction of the sheet-like material having thermoplasticity are guided along a closed path on a substantially horizontal plane, and the sheet-like object is moved from the inlet side to the outlet side of the path. After stretching while being transported, it is equipped with a pair of endless link devices that travel back to the entrance side,
Each of the endless link devices
A preheating area arranged on the inlet side for preheating while being conveyed while keeping the width of the sheet-like material substantially constant; and a preheating area arranged on the downstream side of the preheating area for elongating while conveying the sheet-like material A stretching region provided with a divergent portion in the path, and a heat-fixing region for heat-fixing while transporting the sheet-like material disposed on the downstream side of the stretching region while maintaining a substantially constant width. And comprising
A conveyance side portion arranged on the side close to the sheet-like material that guides the isometric link and conveys the sheet-like material, and a return arranged on the side far from the sheet-like material that guides the return of the equal-length link. A rail having side portions;
An inlet-side sprocket and an outlet-side sprocket that are arranged inside the rail and are respectively disposed on the inlet side and the outlet side and drive the plurality of equal-length links;
A first support member for supporting the rail disposed in the preheating region, the inlet side sprocket being fixedly mounted, and the outlet sprocket being mounted and disposed in the heat fixing region. A second support member that supports the rail, and the transport-side rail that is disposed between the first and second support members and that is rotatably coupled in a substantially horizontal direction and disposed in the extension region. A transport-side rail support member that is connected and supported; and a third support member that has a return-side rail support member that is connected to and supported by the return-side rail;
Each of the transport side and return side rail support members is composed of substantially equal-length members arranged in parallel with each other in the horizontal direction, and can move in a divergent form while maintaining the substantially parallel state. A sheet-shaped material stretching machine configured to be configured so that the second support member is movable in the width direction of the sheet-shaped material in conjunction with the movement of the transport side and return side rail support members.   The sheet-like material stretching machine according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance-side and return-side rail support members are connected to each other and are movable in the width direction of the sheet-like material while maintaining the substantially parallel state.   The sheet-like material stretching machine according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance-side and return-side rail support members are composed of a plurality of members that are connected in the conveyance direction of the sheet-like material.   The said 2nd support member is a structure in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 comprised so that a movement in the width direction and the conveyance direction of the said sheet-like material was accompanied with the movement of the said conveyance side and return side rail support member. Sheet drawing machine. A plurality of connected equal-length links that grip both ends in the width direction of the sheet-like material having thermoplasticity are guided along a closed path on a substantially horizontal plane, and the sheet-like object is moved from the inlet side to the outlet side of the path. After stretching while being transported, it is equipped with a pair of endless link devices that travel back to the entrance side,
Each of the endless link devices
A rail that constitutes the closed path and travels while being guided by a plurality of the isometric links;
An inlet-side sprocket and an outlet-side sprocket that are arranged inside each of the rails and are arranged on each of the inlet side and the outlet side to drive the plurality of equal-length links;
An inlet side rail support member that is mounted with the inlet side sprocket fixed in position and supports the rail; and
An outlet side rail support member which is mounted with the outlet side sprocket fixed in position and supports the rail;
The entrance side rail support member and the exit side rail support member are rotatably connected in a horizontal direction and have an intermediate rail support member disposed therebetween.
The intermediate rail support member is connected to each of a transport side portion of the rail that travels when the isometric link transports the sheet-like material and a return side portion that travels when returning from the outlet side to the inlet side. A transport-side support member and a return-side support member that are supported and have a transport-side support member and a return-side support member having substantially the same length arranged in parallel with each other in the horizontal direction,
The transport side and return side support members are configured to be movable in the width direction of the sheet-like material while maintaining the substantially parallel shape, and can be arranged in a divergent shape, and are connected above the transport side and return side support members. A sheet-like stretching machine that stretches the sheet-like material by arranging the rails in a substantially parallel and divergent shape.   The sheet-like material stretching machine according to claim 5, wherein the conveyance side and return-side rail support members are connected to each other and are movable in the width direction of the sheet-like material while maintaining the substantially parallel state. Each of the endless link devices
An extension region for extending the sheet-like material including the intermediate rail support member and the portion of the rail supported by the intermediate rail support member;
A preheating region disposed on the inlet side of the stretching region for preheating the sheet-like material;
The heat fixing area | region for conveying in parallel between the said endless link apparatuses which were arrange | positioned at the exit side of the said extending | stretching area | region, and were extended | stretched, and heat-fixed the area | region. Sheet-like material stretching machine.   The rail support member on the outlet side is configured to be movable in the width direction and the conveyance direction of the sheet-like material as the conveyance side and return-side support members move in the width direction of the sheet-like material. The sheet | seat-shaped extending | stretching machine in any one of thru | or 7. The rail includes inner and outer rails, and when the inner and outer rails are arranged in a divergent shape, the interval between the inner and outer rails is changed. The sheet-like material stretching machine according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-like material is stretched in a conveying direction.

Images