ROLL FEED WITH TUBE ROLL AND SIMPLIFIED MOUNTING/DISMOUNTING

Abstract

A roll feed includes a base body, a first tube roll having a rolling surface and a first bearing shaft, wherein the base body is configured to support the first tube roll and the first bearing shaft. The first bearing shaft and the first tube roll are configured to be detachably connected to each other for a rotationally fixed connection, wherein the base body is configured such that the first tube roll can be removed from the base body in an axial direction, wherein the axial direction is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the first tube roll.

Claims

1. A roll feed comprising: a base body; a first tube roll having a rolling surface; and a first bearing shaft; wherein the base body is configured to support the first tube roll and the first bearing shaft, wherein the first bearing shaft and the first tube roll are configured to be detachably connected to each other for a rotationally fixed connection, wherein the base body is configured such that the first tube roll can be removed from the base body in an axial direction, wherein the axial direction is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the first tube roll.

2. The roll feed according to claim 1, further comprising a first driver to detachably connect the first bearing shaft to the first tube roll for a rotationally fixed connection, wherein the first driver at least partially axially engages the first tube roll to contact a surface of the first tube roll which is substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the first tube roll.

3. The roll feed according to claim 2, wherein the roll feed comprises a first bearing, wherein the first tube roll has a bearing surface, an inner bearing surface, which is configured to interact with the first bearing.

4. The roll feed according to claim 3, wherein the base body comprises a first centered cover which is configured to be detachably connected to the base body and to interact with the first bearing.

5. The roll feed according to claim 4, wherein the first centered cover has a diameter which is at least 101% of the length of an outer diameter of the first tube roll, and wherein the first centered cover has a diameter which is at most 150% of the length of an outer diameter of the first tube roll, wherein the outer diameter of the first tube roll is preferably a maximum outer diameter.

6. The roll feed according to claim 4, wherein the first centered cover is arranged on an outer side of the base body.

7. The roll feed according to claim 4, wherein the first centered cover defines a transition from an axial end of the first tube roll through the base body to the environment.

8. The roll feed according to claim 4, wherein the first centered cover is configured to allow free access from the environment to the first tube roll after release from the base body.

9. The roll feed according to claim 1, wherein the roll feed comprises a second tube roll having a rolling surface, wherein the first and second tube rolls are arranged such that they are configured to convey a workpiece.

10. The roll feed according to claim 9, wherein the base body is configured to support the second tube roll, and wherein the base body is configured such that the second tube roll can be removed from the base body in an axial direction, wherein the axial direction is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the second tube roll.

11. The roll feed according to claim 10, wherein the roll feed comprises a second bearing shaft, wherein the second bearing shaft and the second tube roll are configured to be detachably connected to each other for a rotationally fixed connection, wherein the base body is configured to support the second bearing shaft, wherein the roll feed further comprises a second driver to detachably connect the second bearing shaft to the second tube roll for a rotationally fixed connection, wherein the second driver at least partially axially engages the second tube roll to contact a surface of the second tube roll which is substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the second tube roll.

12. The roll feed according to claim 9, wherein the roll feed comprises a second bearing, wherein the second tube roll has a bearing surface, an inner bearing surface, which is configured to interact with the second bearing.

13. The roll feed according to claim 12, wherein the base body comprises a second centered cover which is configured to be detachably connected to the base body and to interact with the second bearing.

14. The roll feed according to claim 13, wherein the second centered cover has a diameter which is at least 101% of the length of an outer diameter of the second tube roll, and wherein the second centered cover has a diameter which is at most 150% of the length of an outer diameter of the second tube roll, wherein the outer diameter of the second tube roll is a maximum outer diameter.

15. The roll feed according to claim 14, wherein the second centered cover is arranged on an outer side of the base body.

16. The roll feed according to claim 15, wherein the second centered cover defines a transition from an axial end of the second tube roll through the base body to the environment.

17. The roll feed according to claim 16, wherein the second centered cover is configured to allow free access from the environment to the second tube roll after release from the base body.

18. The roll feed according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the first and the second tube roll has only one bearing surface.

19. The roll feed according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the first and the second tube roll has a rolling surface having an outer diameter in the range of 20 mm to 200 mm.

20. The roll feed according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the first and the second tube roll has a rolling surface having an axial length in the range of 20 mm to 1000 mm.

21. The roll feed according to claim 20, wherein the bearing surface of at least one of the first and the second tube roll respectively is arranged within the axial extension of the rolling surface.

22. The roll feed according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and the second tube roll has a hollow inner region that forms one single and coherent hollow inner region.

23. The roll feed according to claim 22, wherein the hollow inner region of at least one of the first and the second tube roll comprises in the axial direction a range of at least 70%, of the axial length of the rolling surface of at least one of the first and the second tube roll; and comprises in the radial direction a range of at least 60% of an outer diameter, over at least 70% of the axial length of the rolling surface of the first and/or the second tube roll.

24. The roll feed according to claim 23, wherein the rolling surface of at least one of the first and the second tube roll is configured radially circumferential and integrally with at least one of the first and the second tube roll and has one layer that is one single layer, wherein at least one further layer is arranged in the region of the rolling surface; and at least one of the first and the second tube roll substantially consists of metal, being made of at least 80% metal.

25. The roll feed according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the the first and the second tube roll is configured to be mounted and operated without an axially continuous and internally disposed component, in particular an axle, shaft or spindle.

26. The roll feed according to claim 9, wherein the roll feed comprises an electric motor which can be coupled to the roll feed in order to drive at least the second tube roll, and wherein the roll feed comprises a gear arrangement, and wherein a first gear element is associated with the first tube roll and a second gear element is associated with the second tube roll, and wherein a rotational movement of the second tube roll is transmitted via the second gear element to the first gear element and then to the first tube roll.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0081] The accompanying figures are briefly described below.

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a roll feed according to the invention;

[0083] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a roll feed according to the invention during assembly/dismantling;

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a tube roll according to the invention (first and/or second tube roll);

[0085] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a roll feed according to the invention during partial assembly/dismantling;

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a roll feed according to the invention in an enlarged view; and

[0087] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a roll feed according to the invention during assembly/dismantling in an enlarged view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0088] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a roll feed 2 according to the invention. In the roll feed 2 shown, two rolls 300, 350 are formed as tube rolls. The tube rolls can be understood as the first tube roll 300 and second tube roll 350 according to the invention. The roll feed also comprises a base body 30 which can consist of a plurality of components and can contain a housing, for example. An electric motor (not shown) drives the lower roll 350 via a drive shaft which is at the same time a bearing shaft 85.

[0089] The tube rolls 300, 350 each have a bearing surface 309a, 359a which interact with a bearing 200a, 250a in order to rotatably support the tube rolls 300, 350 about an axis of rotation 301, 351. The bearing surfaces of the tube rolls are arranged at a first end of the tube roll and are designed as inner bearing surfaces. At the second end, which is opposite the first end, the tube roll 300 comprises a receptacle 308 which can receive a bearing shaft 80 in a rotationally fixed manner with a detachable connection. The bearing shaft 80 is supported on the bearing 200b and is connected via a roll coupling 90 (not shown) to a gear element 21 (not shown). At the second end, which is opposite the first end, the tube roll 350 comprises a receptacle 358 which can receive a bearing shaft 85 in a rotationally fixed manner with a detachable connection. The bearing shaft 85 is supported on the bearing 250b and is connected to an electric motor for driving the roll 350. In addition, a gear element 22 (not shown) is received in a rotationally fixed manner on the bearing shaft 85 and engages with the gear element 21 (not shown) in order to also drive the tube roll 300.

[0090] With the receptacle 308, the bearing shaft 80 is received in a rotationally fixed manner by the tube roll 300 in a detachable connection by means of a driver 330. The connection between the driver 330 and the tube roll 300 is detachable so that the tube roll 300 can be easily separated from the driver 330. For example, when mounting/dismounting the tube roll 300 into or out of the base body 30 of the roll feed 2, the tube roll 300 can be easily removed axially. The driver 330 represents the connection between the tube roll 300 and the bearing shaft 80. The driver 330 is connected to the bearing shaft 80 via a connecting element 331, for example a screw. Thus, advantageously a rotationally fixed connection between the tube roll 300 and the bearing shaft 80 can be provided which is detachable via the driver 330. In particular, the driver 330 can contact the tube roll 300 at a surface 307 of a groove 306 (shown in FIG. 3) of the tube roll 300. Here, the surface 307 of the groove 306 can be aligned perpendicular to the circumferential direction so that an effective force transmission between the bearing shaft 80 and the tube roll 300 is provided via the driver 330.

[0091] The tube roll 300 can thus be configured integrally without a fixedly connected bearing shaft or a fixedly connected hub at the tube roll end. This enables a simple mounting/dismounting of the tube roll 300 from the roll feed 2. Namely, the tube roll 300 can be easily separated from the bearing shaft by the driver 330, thus pulled off axially and then pushed in and out axially from the roll feed 2.

[0092] The bearings 200a, 250a are respectively received on bearing surfaces of the base body 30 of the roll feed 2. As described below with reference to FIG. 2, the bearings 200a, 250a are in particular respectively received on bearing surfaces of centered cover 34, 35 comprised by the base body 30. The centered cover 34, 35 is detachably connected to the base body 30. In one example, the bearing 200a is indirectly connected to the base body 30.

[0093] The embodiments relating to the first tube roll 300 and the first bearing shaft 80 likewise apply to the second tube roll 350 and the second bearing shaft 85, even if this is not explicitly mentioned. This likewise relates to the driver 380 and the connecting element 381.

[0094] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the roll feed according to the invention of the previous figure during assembly/dismantling. The simplified mounting/dismounting of the tube rolls from the roll feed 2 is illustrated. The base body 30 is formed in multiple pieces and comprises a housing. In particular, the base body 30 of the roll feed 2 is configured such that the tube rolls 300, 350 can be installed in the base body 30 in the axial direction (direction A) or removed therefrom (direction B). For this purpose, the base body 30 has at least one installation opening 31. In the embodiment shown, the base body 30 has two installation openings 31, 32. The roll 300 can be inserted (direction A) or removed (direction B) axially through a first installation opening 31. The roll 350 can be inserted (direction A) or removed (direction B) axially through a second installation opening 32. The installation openings are respectively closed with a cover, in particular a centered cover 34, 35, wherein the centered cover 34, 35 comprises a bearing surface of the base body 30 for the bearings 200a, 250a. Thus, a simple mounting/dismounting of the tube rolls can be achieved. In one example, a hood 36 can be comprised by the roll feed, which constitutes a lateral boundary of the base body 30 and is arranged, for example, at a side end of the base body 30. The base body 30 also comprises a roll carrier (or rocker) 310 (shown in FIG. 2 only on the left side of the base body 30, but also present on the right side), wherein the bearing 200a is located within the roll carrier 310 in the mounted state. In this way, the bearing 200a is indirectly connected to the base body.

[0095] The tube rolls could be mounted or dismounted one after the other or at the same time. For example, reference is made to the tube roll 300. Assembly of a tube roll 300 can also be referred to as installation of a tube roll 300. Dismantling of a tube roll 300 can also be referred to as dismounting of a tube roll 300. Advantageously, during assembly/dismantling, the entire roll feed 2 or the entire base body 30 of the roll feed 2 does not have to be disassembled. This is enabled, for example, by the arrangement of the bearing shaft 80, the driver 330 and the connecting element 331, so that the tube roll can be detachably connected to these components and does not have to be configured integrally with the tube roll 300.

[0096] The centered cover 34 is arranged on the left side of the base body 30 of the roll feed 2 and enables a simple removal of the tube roll 300, wherein the construction of the base body 30 remains substantially unchanged during removal. Conventional roll feeds do not have such an installation opening 31 and/or centered cover 34, since simplified axial mounting/dismounting is ruled out because of the multi-piece and fixedly connected construction of the conventional tube rolls. The centered cover 34 can be removed, for example, to the left side (in FIG. 2) of the base body 30. If a hood 36 is present, it can be removed before removal of the centered cover 34. When the centered cover 34 is removed, the installation opening 31 is no longer closed. The installation opening 31 only needs to have a diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the tube roll 300. In this way, the tube roll 300 can be removed and installed through the installation opening 31 in a minimally invasive manner. Minimally invasive can be understood to mean that a low effort is required for this purpose, there is a low influence on other components of the roll feed 2 and/or a low movement of other components of the roll feed 2 is necessary in order to carry out the exchange of the tube roll 300. In the event of wear of the tube roll 300 or a damaged tube roll 300, a new tube roll 300 can be installed in this way simply, quickly and with low effort.

[0097] Thus, the intervention in the ongoing operation of the roll feed is minimized in comparison with conventional tube rolls and the downtimes of the roll feed 2 are substantially reduced. This increases the efficiency and economy of the entire roll feed 2.

[0098] In one example, the diameters of the bearing shafts can be configured to be large, so that lower forces act on the material in the event of a torque transmission. This increases the durability of the components. In particular, in this way, roll fractures can occur less frequently in the event of overloading and the tube roll 300 can remain substantially undamaged. This is also enabled by the integral construction detachable from the bearing shaft, so that in the event of damage to the bearing shaft, the bearing shaft can be replaced without having to replace the tube roll. In conventional roll feeds, the entire construction of rolls with fixedly connected bearing shafts would have to be replaced.

[0099] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the tube rolls 300, 350 according to the invention of the previous figures. Without explicit reference, the embodiment of the first tube roll substantially also applies to the second tube roll. A surface 307 of a groove 306 is shown in the region of the receptacle 308 of the tube roll 300. The driver 330 (FIGS. 1, 2) is adapted in shape to the groove 306 and contacts the surface 307 during operation of the roll feed 2. The groove 306 can be understood as a notch, recess or the like in the tube roll 300. Here, the surface 307 of the groove 306 can be aligned perpendicular to the circumferential direction so that an effective force transmission between the bearing shaft 80 and the tube roll 300 is provided via the driver 330. If the surface 306 of the groove 307 is aligned perpendicular to the circumferential direction, this means that a normal of the surface 306 points in the circumferential direction, characterized by arrow C in FIG. 3. A force fit is thus provided by a surface of the driver wedge 332 (see FIG. 4) of the driver 330 and the surface 307 of the groove 306 lying flat on one another. The driver wedge 332 is arranged at the ends of the driver 330 and is configured such that it engages the groove 306 when the tube roll 300 is inserted axially. The driver 330 has two ends and has a driver wedge 332 at both ends. The groove 306 is attached to two opposite sides, in particular at an angular distance of 180°, of the end of the first tube roll 300 oriented towards the first bearing shaft 80. A rotational movement of the tube roll 300 can thus be transmitted to the bearing shaft 80 by the contact of the surfaces in the circumferential direction. A rotational movement of the bearing shaft 80 can also be transmitted to the tube roll 300 in this way. In this way, for example for transmitting a rotational movement, it is not absolutely necessary that a force fit is provided in the radial direction between the driver 330 or the bearing shaft 80 and the tube roll 300. As already described above, the second tube roll 350 likewise has a groove 356 and a surface 357, wherein a driver 380 engages the groove 356 of the second tube roll 350 with a driver wedge 382 at both ends of the driver 380 when the tube roll 350 is inserted axially. The tube roll furthermore has a rolling surface 302 and a hollow inner region 304. The receptacle 308 enables, inter alia, a centering of the tube roll 300 on the bearing shaft 80.

[0100] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the roll feed according to the invention of the previous figures during partial assembly/dismantling of the tube rolls 300, 350. The ends of the tube rolls 300, 350 oriented towards the bearing shafts 80, 85 are shown in part in a cross-sectional view, to illustrate engagement of the drivers 330, 380. The remaining region of the tube rolls, towards the opposite end, is shown in a full view, thus not in a cross-sectional view. The two tube rolls are partially pulled out axially and their ends oriented towards the bearing shafts are located axially close to the position of the drivers 330, 380. This figure illustrates the axial engagement of the driver wedges 332, 382 in the grooves 306, 356 of the tube rolls. When the driver wedges 332, 382 engage with the grooves 306, 356 of the tube rolls, a transmission of the rotational movement of the tube rolls to the bearing shafts and/or vice versa can take place in the circumferential direction. In particular, in this way a force fit can be provided in the circumferential direction, wherein the components (drivers and tube rolls) can nevertheless be separated from one another in the axial direction. For example, no shrinking or other force fit is required in the radial direction between the bearing shafts/drivers and the tube rolls, which would prevent simple separation of the components in the axial direction.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the roll feed according to the invention of the previous figures in an enlarged view. The first tube roll 300 and the second tube roll 350 are shown. Furthermore, the first bearing shaft 80 is shown, which is connected via the roll coupling 90 to the gear element 21. In addition, the second bearing shaft 85 is shown, which is connected to an electric motor for driving the second tube roll 350. In addition, a gear element 22 is received in a rotationally fixed manner on the first bearing shaft 85 and engages with the gear element 21 in order to also drive the first tube roll 300.

[0102] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the roll feed according to the invention of the previous figures during assembly/dismantling in an enlarged view. Here, the tube rolls 300 and 350 are removed from the roll feed 2. The base body 30 of the roll feed 2 also comprises a roll carrier 310. The diameter of the roll carrier 310 is configured such that the tube roll can be guided through in a space-saving manner during dismantling/assembly.