US2643827A - Winding apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 30, 1953 w. H. FRANZMANN 2,643,827

l WINDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MANUAL INVENTOR.

WILLIAM H. FRANZMANN BY F|G.s m

ATT RNE Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT Noi-Ficii WINDING APPARATUS William H. Franzmann, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to The Hamilton Tool Company, Hamilton, Ohio,acorporation of Ohio ,A Application January 25, 1951, serial No. 207,817 Claims. (Cl. 242-75) windingl apparatus which includes means forV automatically and continuously controlling the tension of the material being wound.

A further object of the invention is to provide a winding apparatus having the hereinabove described characteristics which includes tension applying means engageable with and supported by the web of material prior to being wound.

Still a further object of the invention is to prol vide a winding apparatus wherein the means for applying tension to the web or webs of material is adjustable, thereby greatly enhancing the flexibility of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winding `device which includes a shaft upon which one or more continuous webs of material may be wound under conditions of substantially uniform tension, wherein the driving torque applied to the shaft is selectively variable through means actuated by the web tension vfor automatically correlating the torque to the tension requirements of the web.

Still another `object of the invention is to provide a rewinder device which is portable in the sense that it may be associated with a wide variety of other `devices from which one or more continuous webs are drawn for -rewinding, thereby greatly enhancing its utility.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a rewinder having the hereinabove 'described characteristics and which includes a plurality of guide rollers over which the individual continuous webs of material are fed after being subjected to the action of tensioning means and prior to being wound, said guide rollers being inclined relative to one another for effecting uniform lateral spacing of the adjacent edges of ad- Vjoining rolls of rewound material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winding apparatus wherein the tension on the web is substantially constant whether the webv is stationary, is being inched, or is running at any speed. This feature eliminates the likelihood of slack developing in the web when `it is not in motion and eliminates web looseness heretofore encountered during start-outs of other 2 f types of rewinding apparatus with which I am familiar. f Y

These and other objects `are attained by the means described herein and as disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a winding apparatus embodying the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a slightly modied form of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View,v partly in section, of a detail of the driving and control mechanism of the device.

With reference now to Fig. 1, the numeral denotes generally a continuous web of material which it is desired to rewind under conditions of substantially uniform tension.

At the outset it should beunderstood that web It may be drawn from a roll, not illustrated, or it may, by way of example, represent the web drawn from a rotary printing press, slitter mechanism, combination rotary press and slitter device, or any other type of device from which a continuous web, printed or otherwise, is discharged.

Solely by way of example, it will be assumedthat web lil is being discharged from a rotary press having associated therewith a plurality of laterally spaced cutting knives I2 which sever the web into a series of strips of lesser width. Three such strips have been denoted by the numerals I4, I6 and I8.

A rotatable shaft-2c uponwhieh materiau m is to be wound lis suitably journaled in spanning' relationship with a pair of similar, laterallyy spaced side or end members 22.

With particular reference nowto Fig. 3, it will be noted that shaft Ztis adapted to be driven by gear 23 secured to and carried by drive shaft 24 suitably journaled in boss 26 ofend element 22.

A rotatable armature 3l] is secured to and carried by shaft 24 being keyed thereto as at 32. A rotatable iield assembly denoted generally by the numeral 34 may be rotatably mounted relative to armature 3B and shaft 24 on bearings 3B, the

3 for driving field assembly 314 at a substantially uniform speed. Motor 5|! may be suitably secured by bracket 52 to portions of end member 22, thereby disposing drive pulleys 54 in vertical alignment with driven pulleys 56 of the rotatable eld assembly.

A housing 58 may be utilized to inclose portions of the field assembly, saidhousing being mounted to a bracket 69 secured as at 62 to member 22, as illustrated. g

The present invention is neither directed tonor concerned with the particular structural details of the electromagnetic clutch arrangement hereinabove described and as more fully illustrated in Fig. 3, said device being commercially available from several manufacturers.

The torque imparted to shaft 24 is a function l of the magnetic coupling effected between armature 30 and the rotatable field assembly 34. The magnetic coupling is a function of the field strength of coil 42, which is a function of the voltage impressed thereon. v

Voltage impressed upon field coil 42 may be supplied through conductors 64 and 66, wherein Vconductor 64 is electrically connected to brush E8 which engages commutator ring 44.

Conductor B6 is connected to brush 'Hl through a pair of series connected rheostats denoted generally by the numerals 12 and 14 whereby the voltage delivered to eld coil 42 may be selectively varied. y

With particular reference now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that a dancer roll 18 is supported by web ||l of the material, said dancer roll being rotatably mounted between a pair of laterally spaced arms B. Arms 88 are pivotally mounted as at 82 to the upper endof side members 22.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, dancer roll 'i8 and arms 80 are shiftable between .the fully raised and lowered positions indicated in dotted outline, the particular position of the dancer arm being determined by the tension in web ie, it being understood that .the greater the tension the greater the elevation of dancer roll 73.

The degree of tension applied to web Hl is a function of the torque applied to shaft 2B on which the web of material lil is to be rewound. The torque required to rotate shaft 2i! increases proportionately as the diameter of the roll of material wound thereon increases, wherefore it is necessary to increase the torque delivered to shaft 2G as material is wound thereon.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide simple yet highly effective means for automatically and simultaneously applying a predetermined tension to web l0 and of utilizing the tension applying means for controlling the torque output of the shaft driving mechanism. This has been accomplished by providing a segment gear S0 in driven relationship with one of arms 80 whereby movement of the arm about axis S2 will result in rotation of the segment gear about the same axis. A pinion gear 92 is secured in driving relationship with shaft 94 of rheostat 14 whereby oscillation of the dancer roll will result in rotation of shaft 94, thereby actuating arm 96 of the rheostat for automatically controlling the voltage applied to iield coil 42.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that if it be assumed that the dancer roll be positioned in the uppermost position as indicated in the dotted lines of Fig. l at the start'of a winding operation, wherein the degree of tension applied to web I0 has been predetermined and controlled by means of weights |09 secured to and carried by shaft |2 pivotally secured as at |061 to the outer end of one or both of arms Si), any lessening of the torque will result in a lowering of the dancer roll, for a given tension. However, lowering of the dancer roll will result in actuation of rheostat 'i4 via segment gear-t, pinion 92 and shaft 94 whereby the amount of resistance in the field coil circuit will be decreased, thereby increasing the voltage applied to the ield coil for increasing the degree of magnetic coupling effected between the rotatable field assembly 3ft and armature l3D. In -this manner the torque delivered to shaft 213 is correlated to tension requirements of the web.

In thepreferred embodiment of the invention sudden movementl of arms 88 is precluded by means of a suitable damping assembly, such as, by way of example, a shock-absorber |2ii secured as at |22 relative to portion i2@ of end member 22. Rod |25 of the shock-absorber may be securedV as at |23 relative to arm 80.

With particular reference now to Figs. l and 2, the numerals i3d, |32 and l-Sl denote laterally spaced rollers mounted for rotation about axes |36, |38 and lll, respectively, wherein said axes are relatively inclined by an amount less than one degree, such as, by way'of example, from .2 to .5 degree. i. f

Preferably axis |353 may be in a substantial horizontal plane, in which event axis |3| may be inclined in one direction lwith reference thereto whereas axis Hi8 may beinclined in the opposite direction with reference thereto. l have found that by thus slightly inclining the axes of rotation of'rollers |30, |32 and iii-t the adjacent edges of the adjoining webs lll, I6 and I8 severed iroin web lil will be uniformly spaced, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. In this manner I have provided simple yet highly effective means for providing lateral separation of adjacent edges of adjoining rolls, thereby obviating any tendency for the adjacent edges of adjoining rolls to overlap incident to a rewinding operation. Such overlapping has presented a serious problem to the industry, particulariy in those instances wherein it has been desirable to simultaneously rewind at high speeds a plurality oi webs in sideby-side relationship.

It should be understoodthat if desired axis |36 or |40 may be considered as the horizontal axis, in which event the other two axes would be inclined relative thereto for effecting the desired separation of the adjacent edges of adjoining rolls of material wound onto shaft 2). It should further be noted that although I have illustrated threesuch rolls, |36, |32 and |32, such illustration is exemplary in natu-re rather than restrictive.

With particular reference now to Fig. l, it will be noted that web IB is caused to pass over a pair of idler rolls denoted generally by the numerals |50 and |52 for thereby effecting suspension of dancerroller l. In most instances idler rolls |50 and |52 will comprise part of a rotary printing press, slitting mechanism, or other suitable device from which web EG is drawn for rewinding, however it should be noted that if desired, idler rolls |50 and |52 may be secured to and carried by a suitable bracket or brackets, not illustrated, secured to end members, 22.

It should be noted that composite web I0, which has been severed into webs I4, |6 and I8 by slitting knives |2 will be fed over rolls |50, 18, |52

5 and to rolls |30, |32 and |34 with the adjacent edges of adjoining strips in substantial abutting relationship. These abutting edges are, however, neatly and uniformly laterally separated after webs lil, B and VI8 have been caused to ,passfover their respective rolls |30, |32 and |34.

With reference Vto Figs. v2 and .3, the numeral |66 denotes the control varm of .manually operable rheostat 12,said arm, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 3, being series connected with the resistance element |82 of the pinion driven rheostat lll. The purpose of providing a manually 4controllable rheostat 12 in series with the pinion driven rheostat 74 is to enable an operator to adjust the manual rheostat, at the start of a rewinding operation, whereby the desired torque will be delivered by shaft -20 with all of .the resistance of the pinion driven rheostat in .series with eld coil 42. Then, as the tension in web tends to decrease as the diameter of lthe roll .of rewound material increases about .shaft 20 (which .increase in diameter would, but for the actuation of the pinion driven rheostat 1'4, result in a 'decrease in the torque applied to 'shaft 20), the resultant lowering of dancer roll 18 effects an automatic actuation of rheostat 14 for increasing the voltage in field 42, thereby increasing the torque delivered through .the electromagnetic clutch assembly to shaft 20.

It will be noted that the tension Vapplied to the web, or webs of material by the dancer roll 'will be constant throughout all positions of the dancer roll assembly. The reason that the dancer .roll assembly will slowly and gradually shift from 'the uppermost `to the lowermost positions .indicated in dotted outline of Fig. 1 is not vbecause of a change of the tension in web ||J, but 'for the following reason, viz., as the diameter of the roll of material being wound'upon'sh'aft 2.0 increases, more torque is required to rotate the shaft. Since the tension applied to the web of material by the dancer roll assembly is constant, .any decrease in torque will result in a lessening of the pull on the web with a corresponding lowering of the dancer roll assembly which as has hereinabove been fully explained Ais utilized to increase the torque delivered by the electromagnetic clutch to shaft 2G.

The dancer roll assembly will not be elevated to its original fully lelevated position incident to the application of a greater turning torque to shaft 2E! incident to control ofthe voltage chai'- acteristics of field 42 of the vfield assembly by reason of actuation of the pinion driven rheostat lll, incident to lowering `of the dancer roll assembly, since to elevate the dancer rolliassembly to its initial position would require the application of a torque in excess of that required to maintain the desired tension in web l0. Therefore, the dancer roll assembly will gradually be lowered from an upper to a lower position, while maintaining a uniform load or tension on web l0.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the zone of travel of the dancer roll assembly is from l5 degrees above to 15 degrees below a horizontal axis at right angles with axis 82.

By reason of the electromagnetic clutch drive I am able to interrupt the feeding of web or websV v interrupted, armature 13|) will be stopped by reato which it was subjected while :in motion. Re-

'lease fof `.web |11 for permitting yit :to Vbe .fed onto .shaft L20 will vresult vin fthe 'immediate .rotation 4of .armature 30 whereby the formation of a slack condition in 'web In will .bepositively precluded.

with reference now to Figs. .1 and .2, .it win f be noted that .the oppositeends of fshaft 20 :are

received 'within suitable journals `:provided in end `members 2.2, `said journals preferably including -a shaft block rpivoted as at .|92 relative 'to :the supporting frame for facilitating quick, easy mounting .and demounting Yof shaft `2|). .In yactual Vvpractice, lseveral shafts', Yeach including a pinion 1| 8'8 fengag'eable with vdrive gear '23, .may be `utilized `in order that: one :shaft may be Loperati-vely kassociated with vvthe rewinder .during those periods oftime when the vroll or Vrolls of material previously wound vmay `be removed from Va lpriorshaftl 'To remove La .shaft `all `an :operator need 'do is to withdraw block pin v|94 for permitting -the shaft blocks |90 .to be swung outwardly for .releasing the shaft ends from the journals in Vwhich they were rotatably secured. Anothershaft may then 'be mountedbyclosing `blocks |93 whereupon the machine is vagain ready for use.

vIt should be understood that the rolls of material mounted upon shaft 20 are actually 'supported thereon by vtapered end lplugs vwhich engage the shaft, as well known in the industry.

From the foregoing, Vit will be noted that 'I have thus provided a simple, yet highly 'effective means for applying uniform tension to a web or webs of material being Wound upon a rotatable shaft driven through an electromagnetic clutch assembly, wherein the output of the driveassemlbly is controlled =by the tension applying means.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications in the structural details of the device .may be made #within the'scope o'f the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

W hat is vclaimed is:

1. In a rewinding apparatus, the combination of' rotatable means upon which a plurality of laterally spaced rolls of VVmaterial are adapted to be wound,'means for driving-said rotatable means including an electromagnetic clutch, 'means for rotatably mounting a roll of material to be slit and -revi/ound,` means for slitting'the material into continuous strips of lesser width, means for simultaneously applying a predetermined tension to said strips comprising a mem-ber extending across and suspended from said strips, vmeans for utilizing movement of said member for varying the magnetization of said clutch, and a plurality of idler rollers, one for each strip of material, over which a strip passes prior to being Wound onto said rotatable means, wherein the axis of rotation of each of said rollers is inclined relative to the other for effecting uniform lateral separation of adjacent edges of adjoining strips wound on said rotatable means. Y

2. In a rewinding apparatus, the combination of a frame including a pair of laterally spaced end members, a shaft upon which a continuous web of material of substantial width is adapted passes, means for feeding the material to be rewound from said idler roll under said dancer roll and in supporting relationship therewith, a second idler roll over which the web passes from the `dancer roll and thence to said shaft, said dancerroll applying a predetermined tension to the material, and means actuated by movement of said dancer roll for varying the magnetization of said clutch for maintaining the desired tension on the material being rewound at all speeds and when stationary. l

3. In a .rewinding apparatus for a plurality or continuous strips severed from a continuous strip of greater width, the combination of a rotatable shaft upon which the individual strips are Wound in laterally lspaced individual rolls, means including an independently driven, continuously operable electromagnetic clutch for driving said shaft, means for simultaneously applying a predetermined tension to the individual strips including a dancer roll spanning and suspended from said strips, means for utilizing elevational changes of the dancer roll for varying the degree of magnetization of said clutch for varying the torque applied to said shaft, and a plurality of freely rotatable idler rollers, one for each strip of material, over which a strip passes prior to being wound onto said shaft, the axis of rotation of each of said rollers being inclined relative to theothers for effecting uniform lat- `eral separation of the adjacent edges of adjoining strips wound on said shaft.

4. In arewinding apparatus, the combination of a frame including a pair of laterally spaced end members, a shaft upon which a plurality of laterally spaced rolls of material are adapted to be wound, means for securely though releasably mounting said shaft in spanning rotatable relationship with said end members, means including an independently driven continuously operable electromagnetic clutch for driving said shaft, means for rotatably mounting a roll of material to be slit and rewound, means for slitting the material into continuous strips of lesser Width, a dancer roll assembly pivotally mounted in spaced spanning relationship relative to said end members, meansior feeding the continuous strips severed from the web of material being reWound under said Vdancer roll and in supporting relationship therewith and thence to said shaft,

said dancer roll simultaneously applying a pre determined tension to said strips, and means ac tuated by movementof the dancer roll for varying the magnetization of the clutch, a plurality of rollers one for each strip of material over which the strip passes prior to being Wound onto the shaft upon which the material is rewound, said rollers being rotatably mounted in spanning relationship with said end members above the shaft upon which the material is rewound, the axis of one of said rollers being in substantial parallelism with the axis of said shaft, and the axes of the other rollers being inclined in opposite directions by less than one degree relative to the axis of said iirst roller and to one another for providing lateral separation of adjacent edges of adjoining continuous strips severed from the roll of material being rewound.

5. A rewinding apparatus comprising the combination of a frame, a shaft' rotatable in said frame upon which a continuous web of material of substantial width is adapted to be wound, shaft rotating means comprising an electromagnetic clutch including a rotatable armature mechanically coupled to said shaft and a rotatable eld assembly, means for independently and continuously driving the iield assembly at a substantially constant rate, a source of voltage for the iield of said field assembly for effecting a magnetic coupling between the rotatable field assembly and armature, a rheostat in the circuit or said llield, a pair or" arms pivotally secured to frame, a dancer roll spanning and rotatably mounted between said arms, an idler roll over which the web passes, means for feeding the material to be rewound from said idler roll under said dancer roll and in supporting relation therewith, a second idler roll over which the Web passes from the dancer roll and thence to said shaft, said dancer roll applying a predetermined tension to the material, and means actuated by movement of said arms relative to the frame for actuating said rheostat for Varying magnetization of said clutch for maintaining the desired tension on the material being rewound at all speeds and when stationary.l

WILLIAM H. FRANZMANN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,340,981 Reinhardt et al. May 25, 1920 1,819,989 Stevens Aug. 18, 1931 2,237,112 Parvin Apr. 1, 1941 2,317,290 Mclvried Apr. 20, 1943 2,365,691 Fodor Dec. 26, 1944

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