EP0383450A1

EP0383450A1 - Magnetic rolling apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0383450A1
Application number: EP90300886A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hideo C/O Bellmatic Limited Suzuki
Original assignee: Bellmatic Ltd
Current assignee: Bellmatic Ltd
Priority date: 1989-02-15
Filing date: 1990-01-29
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-29
Also published as: JPH081037B2; DE69003834D1; JPH02216294A; EP0383450B1; DE69003834T2

Abstract

A rolling apparatus applied with magnetic force established between a main roller (11) and a presser roller (13) such that a workpiece (17) undergoes a uniform and predetermined pressure throughout the rolling process, and the magnetic force is controllable by regulating the electric direct current to the magnet. Several ways of establishing magnetic force where the main roller is non-magnetic material and the presser roller is metallic magnetic and where both rollers (11, 13) are metallic magnetic materials are disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a rolling apparatus for rolling the metal foil or rolling the cloth or the paper for calendering, and more particularly to a rolling apparatus with a magnetic force applied thereto for pressing the workpiece.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to Fig. 14, one conventional way of rolling the metal foil or rolling the cloth for calendering is explained. Numeral 1, 2, 3 denote rollers, and numeral 5, 6, 7 denote guide rollers, and numeral 4 denotes a workpiece. The workpiece 4 is guided by the guide rollers 5, 6, 7 step by step and is rolled by the rollers 1, 2, 3 respectivey such that the workpiece 4 is flattened or calendered. Referring to Fig. 15 one conventional way of pressing the workpiece 4 is explaiend. A hydraulic pump 8 presses a bearing 1a which supports the roller 1 such that the workpiece 4 is pressed between a roller 1 and a roller 2. It is also possible to presses upwardly a bearing 2a which supports the roller 2 such that the workpiece 4 is pressed in between the roller 1 and the roller 2.
However, when the rollers 1, 2, 3 are made of metal, these rollers tend to deflect as shown in Fig. 15 because of the pressure applied to the bearing 1a or 2a. So, it is impossible to clamp the workpiece between the rollers with an uniform pressure, so the workpiece tends to be cut off unintentionally.
Further, the pressing by the hydraulic pump 8 against the bearing 1a or 2a can not be maintained always at a constant pressure, so the unbalanced pressure causes an unbalanced rolling as shown in Fig. 17. When one of the rollers 1, 2, 3 is an elastic roller, for instance, made of plastics or the like, its surface is easily scratched resulting in the degraded workpiece.
Further, since the plastic roller is not thermally resisted, when the workpiece is heated during the rolling process applying the heat to the metal roller with the steam or the line, the plastic roller is heated up resulting in the deterioration of roller and the shorter roller life. To prevent the conventional calendering process from the aforementioned disadvantages, some detecting means to detect the scratches in the workpieces is required, and also replacing the deteriorated roller with the new roller takes the considerable amount of times resulting in the higher manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Above-described disadvantages in mind, according to the present invention, an uniform pressure is applied on the workpiece along the axial direction of the roller when the workpiece is pressed between the rollers, and a controllable magnetic force is applied to clamp and press the workpiece resulting in the trouble-free manufacturing and the easy maintenance. To attain the above described object, a magnetic force is applied to attract the rollers such that a workpiece clamped and pressed between the rollers undergoes an uniform and predetermined pressure throughout the rolling process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals denote like members and of which:

Fig. 1 is a side view drawing of a rolling apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a partial section view drawing of rollers shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a partial section view drawing of a yoke portion in a main roller shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view drawing of a yoke shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is an explanatory drawing showing a magnetic flux along an axial direction, and around a circumference of a yoke shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view drawing of a yoke in a main roller according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is an explanatory drawing showing a magnetic flux along an axial line and around a circumference of yoke shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view drawing of a yoke according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is an explanatory drawing showing magnetic flux along an axial line and around a circumference of a yoke shown in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a side section view drawing of a rolling apparatus according to the forth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a side section view drawing of a rolling apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a side section view drawing of a rolling apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a side view drawing of a rolling apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a side section view drawing of a conventional rolling apparatus;
Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17 are explanatory drawings showing inconveniences of operation according to a conventional rolling apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the accompanying drawings, one preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
Referring Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter. Numeral 11 (Fig. 2) denotes a main roller which is shaped tubulary and in opposing relation with other presser rollers and is made of non-magnetic materials. The thickness of roller rim should be preferably thin such that the sufficient magnetic attractive force may be established between the main roller 1 and a presser roller 13. Although the thin roller rim is preferable but the roller rim should be mechanically strong enough to undergo the rolling pressure. The main roller 11 is rotatably supported by a frame 12. A suitable numbers of the presser rollers 13 which are made of magnetic material are provided around the circumference of the main roller 11. The presser rollers 13 are rotatably supported by the frame and in pressing relation against the main roller 11. In a hollow portion of the main roller 11, a yoke 14 which consists of magnetic material is inserted and both ends of the yoke 14 are fixed to the frame 12. The yoke 14 is provided with several solenoids 22 which are in opposing relation to the pressure rollers 13. Magnetic flux caused by these solenoids 22 are shown in Fig. 5. A suitable numbers of guide roller 16 are provided in planetary relation to the main roller 11, and these guide rollers 16 are rotatably supported by the frame 12. Referring to Fig. 1, a workpiece 17 is inserted and passed between the main roller 11 and the presser roller 13 being guided by the respective guide roller 16. Repeating several equivalent path ways, the workpiece 17 is finally drawn out. The yoke 14 is provided with salient poles 21a which establishes magnetic pole and also with grooves 21h which accomodates the solenoids 22 shaped annularly with the winding coil accomodated therein. The magnetic flux in the yoke established by the solenoids 22 is shown in Fig. 5. Along the axial line of yoke 14, N-pole and S-pole are alternately established, and around the circumference of the yoke 14, N-pole or S-pole is established. In this drawing, N-pole is shown. It is also possible to eliminate the guide rollers such that the workpiece 17 is advanced along teh circumference of the main roller 11 being inserted and pressed between the main roller 11 and the presser roller 13. When the main roller 11 is rotated by any driving source, the workpiece 17 is rolled and advanced. During the rolling process, the presser roller 12 is attracted to the main roller 11 because of a magnetic force established by the solenoids 22. The presser roller 13 is rotated by the friction between the presser roller 13 and the workpiece 17.
Thus, the pressing of workpiece between the presser roller 13 and the main roller 11 is conducted by the magnetic force established by the solenoids 22, and the magnetic force is controlled by regulating the electric direct current to the solenoids.
Referring to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. A yoke 26 is provided with solenoids 25 and with salient poles 26a which establishes the magnetic poles and with grooves 26b in which solenoids are accommodated. The magnetic flux in the yoke 26 is shown in Fig. 7. Along the axial line of the yoke 26, N-pole and S-pole are alternately established, and around the circumference of the yoke 26, N-pole or S-pole is established. In this drawing, N-pole is shown.
Referring to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. A yoke 31 is provided with solenoids 32 and salient poles 13b established by the solenoids and grooves 31a grooved in parallel with the axial line of yoke such that the solenoids 32 are accommodated therein. Under such construction of the yoke 31, the magnetic flux will be shown as in Fig. 9. Along the axial line of yoke 31, N-pole or S-pole is established. In this drawing Fig. 9, N-pole is shown. Around the circumference of yoke 31, N-pole or S-pole is established. According to the above described three embodiments, the yoke 14, 26, 31 establish the uniform magnetic attractive force of which direction is perpendicular to the axial of yoke such that the presser roller is attracted to the main roller with uniform attractive force established along its axial line throughout. The uniform magnetic attractive force can be easily controlled by regulating the electric direct current to the solenoid such that the pressing by the presser roller can be adjusted. It is also possible to use a permanent magnet in lieu of solenoids 22, 25, 32.
Referring to Fig. 10, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Two main rollers 36, 37 are placed in opposing relation and the distance between these two rollers are adapted to be adjusted. Elactromagnets 38, 39 are disposed such that the attractive force between these two main rollers 36, 37 is established. To establish such attractive force, the main roller 36, 37 are made of magnetic material and are adapted to be moved in the direction of attractive force and rotatably supported by frame 40, 41 respectively. One of the main rollers is driven by a belt 42 connected to a drive source 43. The electric magnets 39, 39 are provided with yokes 44, 45 respectively which are fixed to the frame 40, 41. The yokes 44, 45 are provided with solenoids 46, 47 respectively. Salient poles 44a, 45a are placed adjacent to the main rollers 36, 37 respectively. It is so adapted that when the electric magnetic 39 establishes N-pole, the electromagnet 38 establishes S-pole such that both main rollers 36, 37 attract each other. According to the fourth embodiment, when a workpiece 49 is inserted between the main rollers 36, 37, and solenoids 46, 47 are energized, the main rollers 36, 37 approach each other and clamp the workpiece 49. Further, when the drive motor 43 energizes, the main roller 36 rotates and the workpiece 49 is advanced by the friction force established between the workpiece and the main roller. Thus the workpiece is rolled and the pressing force by the these main rollers is controlled by regulating the electric direct current to the solenoids 46, 47.
Referring to Fig. 11, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. A middle roller 50 is placed between main rollers 36, 37. The middle roller 50 is made of magnetic material, and is attracted to both main roller and in contacting relation to both main rollers 36, 37 since solenoids 46, 47 are energized. When the main roller 36 is rotated by a belt 42 driven by a motor 43, a workpiece 49 clamped between the middle roller 50 and the main roller 36, 37 is advanced by the friction force established between the middle roller and the main roller. According to the fifth embodiment, several guide rollers 48 are placed such that the workpiece 49 is guided between the middle roller and the main roller. When solenoids 46, 47 are energized, the main roller 36, 37 tend to approach each other, and the workpiece 49 is pressed between the main roller and the middle roller. Further, when the main roller 36 rotates being driven by a belt 42 connected to a motor 43, the workpiece is advanced by the friction force established between the main roller and the middle roller. The pressing force against the workpiece can be controlled by regulating the electric direct current to the solenoids 46, 47.
Referring to Fig. 12 the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Two middle rollers 50a, 50b of which material are magnetic are placed between main rollers 36, 37. The constitution of the sixth embodiment is very similar to the fifth embodiment. A workpiece 49 is inserted between the middle roller 50a and a main roller 37 and is drawn out finally being inserted between the middle roller 50a and a main roller 36. When solenoids 46, 47 energizes, the attractive force is established between the main rollers 36, 37 and between the middle roller 50a, 50b. When the main roller 36 is rotated by a belt connected to a motor 43, the workpiece 49 is advanced by the friction force established between the workpiece and the main roller. The pressing force against the workpiece can be controlled by regulating the electric direct current to the solenoids 46, 47.
Referring to Fig. 13, the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be explained. One object of the seventh embodiment is to increase the numbers of rolling steps. Several auxiliary rollers 51 are disposed between main rollers 36, 37. The auxiliary rollers 51 are made of magnetic material. Increasing of numbers of auxiliary roller causes the magnetic force established between solenoids 46, 47 to be weakened. To strengthen the weakened magnetic force, auxiliary solenoids 52 are placed. The auxiliary rollers 51 are rotatably supported by frames 53 and are adapted to be moved vertically. The frames 53 are disposed between the main rollers 36, 37, and are adapted to be replaced. Providing yokes on the frame 53 or substituting the frame for the yoke, the auxiliary solenoids 52 can be eliminated. It is also possible to establish the necessary magnetic force with the auxiliary solenoids 52 only. The direction of magnetic force established by the auxiliary roller 52 is in accordance with the direction of magnetic force established by the solenoids 52. According to the seventh embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13, several guide rollers 48 are located at suitable positions, and a workpiece 49 is inserted between the main roller 37 and the auxiliary roller 51, and further between the main roller 36 and the auxiliary roller 51 being rolled and guided steppingly. When the solenoids 46, 47 and the auxiliary solenoids 52 are energized, the attractive force between the main rollers 36, 37 and between the auxiliary rollers 51 are established. When the main roller 36 is rotated by a belt 42 connected to a drive motor 43, the workpiece 49 is rolled by the main rollers and auxiliary rollers step by step being guided by guide rollers. The workpiece 49 is advanced by the friction force established between the workpiece and the opposing roller. In this embodiment, the solenoids 46, 47 and the auxiliary solenoids 52 are used but these solenoids can be replaced by permanent magnets. According to the aforementioned embodiments, the presser rollers undergo the forced drive.
As aforementioned, according to the present invention of rolling apparatus applying the attractive magnetic force between the main roller and the presser roller, the uniform pressure can be applied perpendicularly on the workpiece clamped between the main roller and the presser roller and the pressure can be freely controlled by regulating the electric direct current to the solenoid.
Further, where both main roller and pressure roller are made of metals, the workpiece is pressed between the main roller and the presser roller by the magnetic attractive force established therebetween, and the problem of shorter roller life is eliminated although the pressing force is considerably strong, and the frequency of exchanging rollers becomes less because the rollers are made of hard metals.
As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rolling apparatus comprising:
a main roller;
a presser roller adapted to press a workpiece between said main roller; and
a magnet adapted to establish a magnetic attractive force between said main roller and said presser roller.

2. A rolling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said main roller is made of non-magnetic material and adapted to be tubularly shaped and provided with a magnet in the hollow section of said tubularly shaped main roller, and said presser roller is made of magnetic material and adapted to press said main roller.

3. A rolling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said main roller and said presser roller are made of magnetic material and disposed to clamp and roll a workpiece therebetween, and said magnet is disposed adjacent to said main roller and said presser roller such that an magnetic attractive force is established between said two rollers.

4. A rolling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 in which said magnet is a permanent magnet.

5. A rolling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 in which said magnet is an electromagnet and the electric direct current to said magnet is controllable.