JP4341557B2 - Sheet stretching device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet stretching apparatus, and in particular, there are a preheating part, a stretching part, and a heat fixing part sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side in conveying a belt-like sheet such as a thermoplastic resin film, and from the preheating part to the heat fixing part. A thin film that is stretched in at least one of its conveying direction (or longitudinal direction) and width direction (or lateral direction) while gripping and conveying both edges in the width direction of the belt-like sheet with a plurality of sheet clips that circulate until And a sheet stretching apparatus that applies heat to the stretched sheet to maintain the stretched state.

  As proposed in Patent Document 1 below, this type of conventional apparatus sequentially arranges a preheating part, a stretching part, a heat fixing part, and a cooling part in the conveying direction of the belt-like sheet, and the conveying direction on both sides of the belt-like sheet The endless guide rails that circulate around each part are arranged along with the two endless guide rails, and a plurality of pairs of sheet clips that grip the edge in the width direction of the belt-like sheet are moved in synchronization with the two endless guide rails. Is configured to hold the edge in the width direction of the belt-like sheet at the preheating portion, and release the holding at the cooling portion to return to the preheating portion.

  Each seat clip is connected with an endless chain front and back on the endless guide rail side, and a sprocket that meshes with the endless chain is driven by a servo motor, so that each seat clip is preheated, stretched, heat fixed, cooled I make a round between the clubs. Some sheet stretching apparatuses do not have a cooling part on the downstream side of the heat fixing part.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-96619

  In conventional equipment, each sheet clip is permanently connected with an endless chain, so the dimensions and types of the thermoplastic resin film change, and some or all of the dimensions of the preheating part, stretching part, heat fixing part, cooling part, Especially when a device with extended dimensions in the transport direction is required, a long endless chain is prepared, and the number of seat clips to be connected is increased, so that the drive system to be permanently connected becomes heavy and the servo motor needs to be replaced. It was necessary to redesign the entire device.

  In addition, remodeling of existing equipment requires reconnecting after removing the permanent connection, so it is not only a difficult task, but it is also necessary to disassemble the entire part even if some parts are broken, and the repair work is also difficult. Met.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet stretching apparatus that can easily cope with partial design changes and modifications and that can be easily repaired.

  In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet stretching apparatus that ensures that each sheet clip makes a circuit between the upstream side and the downstream side even with a simple configuration that can easily cope with partial design changes and modifications. It is to provide.

  The sheet stretching apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object is characterized in that there are a preheating part, a stretching part, and a heat fixing part sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance of the belt-like sheet, and from the preheating part to the heat fixing part. In the sheet stretching apparatus for maintaining the stretched state by stretching in at least one of the transport direction and the width direction while gripping and transporting both edges in the width direction of the belt-shaped sheet with a plurality of sheet clips that circulate until Endless guide rails are provided on both sides in the width direction of the belt-like sheet from the preheating portion to the heat fixing portion, and the both endless guide rails can be moved along the endless guide rails. Each of the circulation units is provided with a pair of sheet clip units that grip each edge in the width direction of the belt-like sheet so as to be movable in the width direction of the belt-like sheet. Endless chains are provided along the endless guide rails so as to correspond to the preheating portion, the extending portion, and the heat fixing portion, and each circulation unit is engaged between the roller pitches of the endless chain in the preheating portion. And a connecting block that engages with an endless chain of the extending portion and an endless chain of the extension portion, a connecting block that engages with the back prevention block, and a chuck that grips the endless chain in the heat fixing portion, and moves with the driving force of each endless chain And extending guides that guide the movement of each sheet clip unit in each circulation unit in the width direction of the belt-like sheet on both sides in the width direction of the belt-like sheet from the preheating portion to the heat fixing portion. It is in.

  In the apparatus of the present invention, each circulation unit provided with each seat clip unit is adapted to move by appropriately engaging with each endless chain corresponding to the preheating portion, the extending portion, and the heat fixing portion. If you want to extend or shorten some or all of the preheating section, extension section, and heat fixing section, especially in the transport direction, you can use both endless guide rails or preheating. It is only necessary to change the dimensions of each endless chain corresponding to the section, extension section and heat fixing section, and adjust the number of each circulation unit required, and can easily cope with partial design changes and modifications and repairs. Work is easy.

  In addition, since the insertion pin is inserted between the roller pitches of the endless chain in the preheating portion and is securely engaged with the endless chain until the insertion is released in the extending portion, each seat clip unit is provided in the preheating portion. Each circulation unit is securely inserted.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment shown in the drawings will be described.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a belt-like sheet such as a thermoplastic resin film, the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line is the center of the apparatus in the conveyance direction indicated by the arrow, and the direction of the horizontal belt-like sheet 100 orthogonal to the conveyance direction indicated by the arrow is The width direction of the belt-like sheet 100.

  Endless guide rails 200 are provided on both sides of the belt-like sheet 100 around the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line (in FIG. 1, only one guide rail is shown). Although the belt-like sheet 100 is conveyed horizontally, the surface formed by the endless guide rails 200 is a vertical one.

  There are a preheating part A, an extending part B, and a heat fixing part C sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side of the endless guide rail 200 in the conveying direction of the belt-like sheet 100. Each of these parts A to C is a region. In the preheating part A, there are preheating heaters not shown above and below the belt-like sheet 100, and the heat fixing part C also has a heat fixing heater. A fan for cooling the belt-like sheet 100 may be provided downstream of the heat fixing heater.

  Reference numeral 300 denotes a plurality of circulation units suspended so as to be able to move along both endless guide rails.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the circulation unit 300 is centered on the base 1 having a length comparable to the interval between the endless guide rails 200 indicated by the one-dot chain line on both sides so that both ends thereof are V-shaped. There are two suspension arms 2 inclined in opposite directions, and each arm 2 is provided with rollers 3 that roll on both endless guide rails 200 on the base 1 side and the terminal side. Since each arm 2 and the roller 3 are arranged so as to sandwich the endless guide rail 200 in the width direction and the vertical direction of the belt-like sheet 100, the circulation unit 300 is displaced in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 100 or the endless guide rail 200 Even if it is moved and reversed to the lower side of the endless guide rail 200, the endless guide rail 200 will not come off or drop off.

  In FIG. 2, the base 1 of the circulation unit 300 has a linear guide 4 on the belt-like sheet 100 side indicated by a one-dot chain line, and a pair of sheet clip units 5 can move in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 100 on the linear guide 4. It is attached to.

  Each sheet clip unit 5 includes a sheet clip 6 that grips each edge in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 100 and a cam follower that moves each sheet clip unit 5 in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 100 according to a stretching guide described later. 7 is provided.

  On the base 1 of the circulation unit 300, an inner insertion pin mechanism that engages with an endless chain provided corresponding to a preheating part A and a heat fixing part C, which will be described later, on the opposite side of the belt-like sheet 100 indicated by a one-dot chain line. 8 and an outer high-speed chuck mechanism 9 are provided. Further, a connecting block mechanism 10 that engages with a drive block of an endless chain provided corresponding to the extending portion B is provided in the center portion. Further, the base 1 of the circulation unit 300 is provided with a lever mechanism 11 that sets a distance between the circulation units 300 in the preheating part A.

  The detailed configuration and operation of the seat clip unit 5, the insertion pin mechanism 8, the high-speed chuck mechanism 9, the connecting block mechanism 10, the lever mechanism 11 and the like, which are shown schematically so as to show the positional relationship in FIG. 2, will be described later. To do.

  Returning to FIG. 1, reference numeral 400 denotes an endless chain that moves the circulation unit 300 in the preheating section A, and reference numeral 500 denotes a drive motor for the endless chain 400. Reference numeral 600 denotes an endless chain that moves the circulation unit 300 in the extending portion B, and reference numeral 700 denotes a drive motor for the endless chain 600. Reference numeral 800 denotes an endless chain that moves the circulation unit 300 in the heat fixing part C, 900 denotes a driving motor for the endless chain 800, and 1100 denotes an extension guide.

  Endless chains 400 and 800 are provided one by one in the transport direction along both endless guide rails 200 and move at a constant speed. However, a plurality of endless chains 600 are arranged in the width direction and move in the transport direction. However, each endless chain 600 is individually driven by a plurality of installed motors 700, and the moving speed of the endless chain 600 changes in accordance with the longitudinal (conveying direction) and lateral (width direction) stretch ratio of the belt-like sheet 100. It is like that.

  Each circulation unit 300 that has reached the heat fixing part C is returned to the preheating part A side by a circulation unit accumulation mechanism (not shown). The configuration and operation of the return will be described later.

  FIG. 3 shows about half of the width direction in the state where the circulation unit 300 is suspended by the endless guide rail 200 in the heat fixing portion C, and the upper circulation unit 300 proceeds in the downstream direction, and the lower circulation unit 300 The unit 300 is in a state of returning in the upstream direction. The place is the heat fixing part C, and the drawing of the stretching guide 1100 is omitted.

  2 and 3, reference numeral 12 denotes a receiving plate in the lever mechanism 11 provided on the base 1 of the circulation unit 300. The receiving plate 12 is provided like a partition on the front side of the circulating unit 300 in the direction of travel of the base 1, and the interval setting lever mechanism 11 of the preceding circulating unit 300 comes into contact with the receiving plate 12 of the succeeding circulating unit 300. The interval of the circulation unit 300 (before and after) is set, and the state of the interval setting will be described later.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the sheet clip unit 5 and the operation in which the sheet clip 6 grips the belt-like sheet 100 will be described.

  In FIG. 4, a lever 16 is pivotally supported on a frame 15 for each seat clip unit 5 fixed to the base 1 of the circulation unit 300, and a seat clip 6 is pivotally supported and hung on the lower end portion of the lever 16. Yes. The lower surface of the seat clip 6 is always horizontal by the posture control spring 17 for the seat clip 6. A receiving plate 18 is provided on the frame 15 so as to face the seat clip 6. Reference numeral 19 denotes a toggle spring provided between the frame 14 and the lever 15 so that the state is maintained even if the lever 15 is tilted in either the left or right direction.

  In FIG. 4A, when the lever 16 is tilted leftward, the seat clip 6 moves rightward (inward in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 100). At this time, if the belt-like sheet 100 is on the backing plate 18 as shown in FIG. 4B, the belt-like sheet 100 is held between the lower surface of the sheet clip 6 and the upper surface of the backing plate 18.

  In FIG. 4B, when the lever 16 is tilted to the right, the sheet clip 6 moves to the left (outside in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 100), and the grip of the belt-like sheet 100 is released. A means (dog) for tilting the lever 16 in the left-right direction will be described later.

  Next, the configuration of the insertion pin mechanism 8 and the connection between the endless chain 400 and the circulation unit 300 in the preheating portion A by the insertion pin mechanism 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 5, a lever 21 is pivotally supported on a frame 20 for the insertion pin mechanism 8 fixed to the base 1 of the circulation unit 300, and the lower end of the lever 21 is biased toward the lever 21 by a compression spring 22. The top of the insertion pin 23 is in contact with the head. An endless chain 400 in the preheating portion A exists at the tip of the insertion pin 23.

  The endless chain 400 is formed by integrating two chains in parallel, one engaging with the sprocket connected to the motor 500 shown in FIG. 1 and the other engaging with the insertion pin 23. And used to drive the circulation unit 300.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a toggle spring provided between the frame 20 and the lever 21 so that the state is maintained even if the lever 21 is tilted in either the left or right direction.

  In FIG. 5A, the lever 21 is tilted to the left, the insertion pin 23 is biased upward by the compression spring 22, and the insertion pin 23 is pulled out from between the roller pitches of the endless chain 400.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the lever 21 is tilted to the right and the insertion pin 23 is pushed down by the lower end of the lever 21, the lower end portion of the insertion pin 23 enters between the roller pitches of the endless chain 400 and is in a state by the toggle spring 24. Therefore, the circulation unit 300 is integrated with the endless chain 400 and is guided by the endless guide rail 200 to start circulation.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the lever 21 is tilted to the left, the lower end portion of the insertion pin 23 comes out from between the roller pitches of the endless chain 400, and the integration of the circulation unit 300 and the endless chain 400 is released. As for 300, the movement by the endless chain 400 stops.

  Next, the configuration of the high-speed chuck mechanism 9 and the connection between the endless chain 800 of the heat fixing portion C and the circulation unit 300 by the high-speed chuck mechanism 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 6, a lever 26 is pivotally supported on a frame 25 for the high-speed chuck mechanism 9 fixed to the base 1 of the circulation unit 300, and the lower end of the lever 26 is biased toward the lever 26 by a compression spring 27. The slider 28 is in contact with the head at the upper end. An inclined portion is provided at the lower portion of the slider 28.

  A frame 229 fixed to the base 1 of the circulation unit 300 horizontally holds the push pin 30 so that the left side head of the push pin 30 is a cam follower with respect to the inclined portion of the slider 28. The part is in contact with the chuck 31 to open and close the high-speed chuck (chuck) 31. The chuck 31 is pivotally supported by the frame 29. The opening / closing and gripping of the chuck 31 is a reverse motion to the operation of sandwiching the laundry with a so-called laundry scissors. When the laundry scissors are closed, the chuck 31 has an endless chain 800. It is in an open state.

  Like the endless chain 400, the endless chain 800 is formed by integrating two chains in parallel, one engaging with a sprocket connected to the motor 900 shown in FIG. 1, and the other being a chuck. It is used to drive and circulate the unit 300 by engaging and integrating by holding by opening and closing 31.

  In FIG. 6A, the lever 26 is tilted to the left, the slider 28 is biased upward by the compression spring 27, the push pin 30 moves to the left, and the chuck 31 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, when the lever 26 is tilted to the right and the slider 18 is pushed down by the lower end of the lever 26, the push pin 30 moves to the right at the inclined portion of the slider 28 and opens the chuck 31. Then, the chuck 31 sandwiches the endless chain 800, and the chuck 31 engages with the endless chain 800. The means (dog) for tilting the lever 26 will be described later.

  An inclined member 32 for returning the push pin 30 is provided at the lower end portion of the slider 28. When the lever 26 is tilted leftward as shown in FIG. 6A, the inclined member 32 rises together with the slider 28. The inclined surface moves the push pin 30 in the left direction, and the chuck 31 is closed by the movement, so that the engagement with the endless chain 800 is released.

  Reference numeral 33 denotes a toggle spring provided between the frame 25 and the lever 26 so that the state is maintained even if the lever 26 is tilted in either the left or right direction. Reference numeral 34 denotes a guide rail of the endless chain 800.

  Next, the circulation unit accumulation mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The circulation unit accumulation mechanism returns the circulation units 300 that have reached the heat fixing part C to the preheating part A side by a desired number.

  FIG. 7 shows the main part of the circulation unit stacking mechanism 1000 looking upward from the lower side of the apparatus. Like the endless guide rail 200 shown in FIG. Two integrated chains 41 and 42 that circulate intermittently around the heat fixing portion C are wound between the front sprockets 43 and 45 and the rear sprockets 44 and 46. That is, the front sprocket 43, 45 side is the preheating part A side, and the rear sprocket 44, 46 side is the heat fixing part C.

  Since the two integrated chains 41 and 42 are symmetrically arranged in the width direction with respect to the center of the apparatus, only the two integrated chains 41 and 42 on one side are shown in FIG.

  The front sprockets 43 and 45 are for driving the integrated chains 41 and 42, respectively, and are driven individually or simultaneously by a controller omitted from the servo motors 47 and 50, the speed reducers 48 and 51, and the powder clutches 49 and 52. ing.

  FIG. 7 shows the circulating unit stacking mechanism 1000 as viewed from above the apparatus, so that the stacking chains 41 and 42 are moved from the left to the right in FIG. The circulating units 300 that have reached the heat fixing part C by the movement are returned to the preheating part A side.

  Each accumulation chain 41 and 42 is provided with conveyance blocks 41a and 42a, respectively, and these conveyance blocks 41 and 42 engage with each circulation unit 300 to return each circulation unit 300 to the preheating part A side.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 55 is provided on a device base (not shown), and the lever 21 of the insertion pin mechanism 8 shown in FIG. 5 is tilted to the right as shown in FIG. It is a dog engaged with.

  When the dog 55 tilts the lever 21 to the right side, the circulation unit 300 is integrated with the endless chain 400 and is guided by the endless guide rail 200 by the movement of the endless chain 400 and lifts to the most upstream side in the preheating part A of FIG. Reference numeral 56 denotes an interval adjusting plate cam provided on an apparatus base (not shown), which sets an interval before and after the circulation unit 300 as will be described later. Specifically, after the interval adjusting plate cam 56 sets the front and rear intervals of the circulation unit 300, the dog 55 engages the insertion pin 23 with the endless chain 400, and the circulation unit 300 is preheated one by one in FIG. Lift up to the most upstream side in part A.

  In FIG. 7, there are three circulation units 300 on the preheating part A side. However, if all three units are lifted to the most upstream side in the preheating part A, the load on the servomotor 50 is reduced, so that the transport block 42a is fast. The integrated chain 42 is circulated so as to move to the heat fixing part C side. A sensor 57 detects that the transport block 42a toward the heat fixing section C has moved. When the sensor 57 detects the transport block 42a, the servo motor 50 is stopped and the integrated chain 42 is set in a standby state.

  Reference numeral 58 denotes a sensor installed on the heat fixing part C side, which counts the circulation units 300 passing through the integrated chains 41 and 42. FIG. 7 shows a state where three circulation units 300 are accumulated on the integrated chain 41 side.

  When the sensor 58 measures the desired number (here, 3), the servo motor 47 is activated to circulate the integrated chain 41 to the preheating part A side. In this case, the conveyance block 41a is engaged with the circulation unit 300 at the end by the path configuration of the accumulation chain 41, and the three circulation units 300 are collectively pushed to move to the preheating part A side.

  The integrated chains 41 and 42 perform the above operations alternately. The servomotors 47 and 50 are moved until the circulating units 300 are transferred to the endless chain 400 by moving from the heat fixing part C side to the preheating part A side. Therefore, the powder clutches 49 and 52 are provided to reduce the load.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a dog for releasing the engagement between each circulation unit 300 and the endless chain 800 by tilting the lever 26 in the high-speed chuck mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 6 to the left as shown in FIG. 6A. It is provided on the equipment stand that is not.

  When each circulation unit 300 suspended between both endless guide rails 200 is rotated to the lower side of the heat fixing portion C by the endless chain 800, the dog 60 tilts the lever 26 and the engagement with the endless chain 800 is released. Each circulation unit 300 is free, but each circulation unit 300 that comes in succession pushes sequentially to the right in FIG. 7, the sensor 58 measures the number of passages, and the servo motors 47 and 50 are alternately switched as described above. To operate.

  Next, the configuration of the interval setting lever mechanism 11 and the situation in which the interval setting lever mechanism 11 sets the interval between the circulation units 300 by the interval adjusting plate cam 56 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows each circulation unit 300 as viewed from above from the lower side of the apparatus, as in FIG. Further, since each circulation unit 300 is configured symmetrically in the width direction except for the connection block mechanism 10 described in FIG. 9, the one-side interval setting lever mechanism 11 installed in each circulation unit 300 is shown.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 61 denotes a lever rotatably provided on a support shaft 62 established on the base 1 in each circulation unit 300, and has cam followers 63 at both ends.

  Each circulation unit 300 is moved rightward in FIG. 8 by the integrated chain 41 or 42, and when the upper cam follower 63 in the preceding circulation unit 300 contacts the interval adjustment plate cam 56, the interval adjustment plate cam 56 is Since the lever 61 does not move, the lever 61 rotates around the support shaft 62 and contacts the receiving plate 12 in the subsequent circulation unit 300. By the contact with the receiving plate 12, the movement of the subsequent circulation unit 300 becomes dull, and the distance from the preceding circulation unit 300 is set by the rotation of the lever 61. When the desired interval is reached, the dog 55 tilts the lever 16, and the preceding circulation unit 300 moves to the preheating part A by the endless chain 400.

  Note that the front-rear interval setting in the circulation unit 300 is changed by changing the position of the interval adjustment plate cam 56 in the width direction of the belt-like sheet 100 and adjusting the rotation angle of the lever 61 around the support shaft 62. Can do.

  Finally, the configuration and operation of the connecting block mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The connecting block mechanism 10 functions in the extending portion B.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of endless chains 600 are arranged in the extending direction B in the width direction, and each endless chain 600 is individually driven by a motor 700.

  FIG. 9 shows one endless chain 600 among them. One endless chain 600 drives one circulation unit 300, and each circulation unit 300 includes a connection block 71 on its base 1. The connection block 71 of each circulation unit 300 is installed at a position shifted in the width direction so as to match the position of the endless chain 600 that drives.

  Each endless chain 600 has a back prevention block 72 at a preceding position so as to sandwich the connection block 71 of each circulation unit 300, and a drive block 73 at a following position, and is upstream as shown in FIG. The circulation unit 300 and the endless chain 600 are engaged with each other with the connecting block 71 of each circulation unit 300 interposed therebetween, and the circulation unit 300 is conveyed to the left by the endless chain 600.

  In addition, 65 shown in FIG. 9A is provided on a device base (not shown), and the lever 21 in the insertion pin mechanism 8 is tilted to the left as shown in FIG. It is a dog that releases 300 engagement.

  The preheating part A and the extending part B are overlapped by a slight length d1 so that the endless chain 400 and each endless chain 600 have the same speed in this region, and each circulation unit 300 is associated with each endless chain 600. At the same speed when combined and integrated, the lever 21 releases the engagement between the endless chain 400 and each circulation unit 300 by the dog 65. By releasing the engagement between the endless chain 400 and each circulation unit 300, each circulation unit 300 is driven by each endless chain 600.

  FIG. 9B shows the downstream side of the extending portion B, and each endless chain 600 wraps downward so that the back prevention block 72 sandwiching the connection block 71 of each circulation unit 300 is connected. The drive block 73 that moves away from the block 71 also moves away, and the engagement between each circulation unit 300 and each endless chain 600 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the extending portion B and the heat fixing portion C are overlapped by a slight distance d2, and the endless chain 600 and the endless chain 800 are at the same speed at the distance d2.

  66 is provided on an apparatus base (not shown), and the lever 26 in the high-speed chuck mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 6 is tilted to the right as shown in FIG. 6B to engage each circulation unit 300 with the endless chain 800. A dog to be integrated.

  When the lever 26 of each circulation unit 300 is tilted by the dog 66 and each circulation unit 300 is integrated with the endless chain 800, the back prevention block 72 is separated from the connection block 71, and the drive block 73 that follows is also separated. 300 and each endless chain 600 are disengaged, and each circulation unit 300 is driven by the endless chain 800.

  Next, returning to FIG. 1, the stretching of the belt-like sheet 100 will be described in accordance with the movement of the circulation unit 300.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1100 denotes an extension guide, and the extension guide 1100 is an endless one that makes a circuit from the preheating part A to the heat fixing part C, similarly to the endless guide rail 200, and the preheating part A in the conveying direction of the circulation unit 300. In the heat fixing part C, the belt-like sheet 100 is inclined in parallel with the conveying direction of the belt-like sheet 100 and in the stretched part B according to the longitudinal and transverse stretching ratio of the belt-like sheet 100.

  The circulation unit 300 is restricted in position in the width direction by the cam follower 7 shown in FIG. 2, and moves in the width direction by the extension guide 1100 in accordance with the movement in the transport direction.

  The circulation unit 300 that reaches the heat fixing portion C is a return portion of the extension guide 1100 (not shown) when returning to the preheating portion A side by the integrated chains 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 7 on the endless guide rail 200. It is subject to position restrictions in the width direction.

  The endless chain 400 of the preheating part A is driven at a low speed by the motor 500, and the endless chain 800 of the heat fixing part C is driven at a high speed by the motor 900. In the region of the stretched portion B, four stretched chains 600 are arranged in parallel with the endless chains 400 and 800 as described with reference to FIG. The rotation speed of each servo motor 700 is assumed to be along the stretching of the belt-like sheet 100.

  In each endless guide rail 200, each circulation unit 300 arranged back and forth in the conveyance direction has four as one unit, and their connection blocks 71 (see FIG. 9) are arranged in the center side from both edges of the belt-like sheet 100. It is fixed at a position so as to be sequentially engaged with the extending chain 600 of the book.

  In the preheating portion A, the endless chain 400 drives the circulation unit 300 at a speed suitable for preheating by the motor 500 via the insertion pin mechanism 8, and in the extending portion B, the servo motor 700 passes the connection block mechanism 10 by the servo motor 700. The circulation unit 300 is driven by the four stretching chains 600 at a speed suitable for stretching. In the heat fixing section C, the endless chain 800 is suitable for heat fixing by the motor 900 via the high-speed chuck mechanism 9 described above. Drive at a different speed.

  The circulation unit 300 that has passed through the heat fixing part C returns to the preheating part A side along the endless guide rail 200 by the integrated chains 41 and 42.

  In FIG. 1, the cam followers 7 of the respective sheet clip units 5 are positioned outside the extending guide 1100 when viewed from the center of the belt-like sheet 100 indicated by a one-dot chain line. A biasing force is applied to the center side of the belt-like sheet 1 indicated by a one-dot chain line by a spring or the like, and the bias is regulated by the stretching guide 1100.

  The stretching guide 1100 is extended so as to move downstream from the center of the belt-like sheet 100 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line toward the edge at the stretching portion B, and the belt-like sheet 100 is formed into a desired shape depending on the extent of spreading. Stretch.

  As described with reference to FIG. 7, the circulation unit 300 is returned to the preheating portion A on the endless guide rail 200 by a plurality of integrated chains 41 and 42 at once.

  Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the circulating unit 300 that moves back and forth is set to a desired interval by the interval setting lever mechanism 11 and then integrated with the endless chain 400 by the insertion pin mechanism 8, and each circulation unit 300 is endless. Returning to the preheating part A on the belt-like sheet 100 side on the strip-shaped guide rail 2, each circulation unit 300 is suspended on the endless guide rail 200 by the roller 3 provided on the tip side of each arm 2 as shown in FIG. Is done.

  In this case, since the insertion pin 23 remains inserted between the roller pitches of the endless chain 400 by the toggle spring 24, when the endless chain 400 rotates upward from below at a place where the sprocket is located, the weight of the circulation unit 300 is increased. The engagement between the circulation unit 300 and the endless chain 400 is not released, and the desired interval before and after the circulation unit 300 set by the interval setting lever mechanism 11 is maintained.

  When the circulation unit 300 is rotated upward from below by the endless chain 400 at the place where the sprocket is present, the dog (not shown) tilts the lever 16 shown in FIG. 4 to the left, and the lower surface of the seat clip 6 The belt-like sheet 100 is held between the upper surface.

  Each circulation unit 300 is driven at a constant speed at equal intervals by the endless chain 400 in the preheating section A. When each circulation unit 300 approaches the extension part B from the preheating part A, the extension chain 600 moves upward from below at the transition part from the preheating part A to the extension part B and moves to the left as shown in FIG. However, each extending chain 600 is provided with a drive block 73 and a back prevention block 72 alternately, and both blocks 72 and 73 are open in the rotating part, but the distance is narrowed in the horizontal moving part. The connection block 71 of each circulation unit 300 is sandwiched between the blocks 72 and 73.

  At the time when both blocks 72 and 73 sandwich the connecting block 71 of each circulation unit 300, each circulation unit 300 is integrated with the endless chain 400. Therefore, in the rotating portion (range of distance d1) of each extension chain 600, Endless chain 400 and each extended chain 600 are assumed to have a constant velocity.

  As described above, when the dog 65 tilts the lever 21 to the left as shown in FIG. 5A, each circulation unit 300 is driven by each extending chain 600.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the extending portion B, the extending guide 1100 is inclined so as to expand toward the downstream with respect to the center of the belt-like sheet 100, and each sheet clip unit 5 follows the extending guide 1100 by the cam follower 7. As shown in FIG. 4B, the belt-like sheet 100 is stretched because the sheet clip 6 still holds the belt-like sheet 100 between the receiving plate 18 and the sheet clip 6.

  At this time, the servo motor 700 of each stretching chain 600 drives each circulation unit 300 independently, and the stretching state of the belt-like sheet 100 can be freely set by each servo motor 700, but the moving speed in the downstream direction is stretched. The angle of inclination of the guide 1100 is harmonized. That is, the longitudinal and lateral stretching ratios in the transport direction and the width direction can be adjusted by the drive speed of each servo motor 700 and the inclination angle of the stretching guide 1100.

  In the region where each circulation unit 300 transitions from the extending portion B to the heat fixing portion C (the location at the distance d2 in FIG. 9B), the driving speed of each extending chain 600 is changed to the driving speed of the endless chain 800 by the servo motor 700. It matches.

  The dog 66 is located at a position where the driving speeds coincide with each other. The dog 66 tilts the lever 26 to the right as shown in FIG. 6B, and the chuck 31 grips the endless chain 800.

  Therefore, when the circulation unit 300 is integrated with the endless chain 800, the extended chain 1100 rotates downward, and the connection block 71 of each circulation unit 300 held by the drive block 73 and the back prevention block 72 is released. . Thereafter, each circulation unit 300 is driven and conveyed by the high-speed endless chain 800 through the heat fixing portion C.

  In this way, in the transition from the preheating part A to the stretching part B and the transition from the stretching part B to the heat fixing part C, the speed at those transition points is continuous and does not cause a rapid speed change. In addition, no sudden tensile force or compressive force is applied, and the properties inherent to the strip sheet 100 such as the film thickness and optical characteristics of the strip sheet 100 are not adversely affected.

  Before the endless chain 800 rotates at the sprocket and descends, the dog (not shown) tilts the lever 16 to the right as shown in FIG. 4A, and the seat clip 6 grips between the receiving plate 18 and the seat clip 6. The belt-like sheet 100 that has been opened is opened.

  Then, each circulation unit 300 is driven and conveyed downward along the endless guide rail 200 by the endless chain 800 as shown in FIG. 7, and the endless guide is provided by the roller 3 of each arm 2 provided on the base 1 side. It will be in the state hung on the rail 200.

  Thereafter, the dog 60 tilts the lever 26 to the left as shown in FIG. 6A, and the chuck 31 disengages from the endless chain 800.

  Accordingly, each circulation unit 300 is returned to the lower position of the preheating portion A shown in FIG. 7 by the integrated chains 41 and 42, and makes a round along the endless guide rail 200.

  In the embodiment described above, the dogs for tilting the levers 16, 21, 26 can be replaced with appropriate operation means such as an air cylinder.

  Further, instead of the high-speed chuck mechanism 9, the circulation unit 300 may be moved by the endless chain 800 by the insertion pin mechanism 8 also in the heat fixing portion C.

  Further, in FIG. 7, servo motors 47 and 50 are installed to drive the integrated chains 41 and 42, respectively, but only one motor is installed and the connection between this motor and the speed reducers 48 and 51 is switched by a clutch. The integrated chains 41 and 42 may be driven alternately.

  FIG. 10 shows an interval setting mechanism 80 that replaces the interval setting lever mechanism 11.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a feed pin 81 is installed in each circulation unit 300 instead of the lever 61 shown in FIG. 8, and a feed screw 82 is provided on a device base (not shown). Rotate. The interval between the circulation units 300 is set by the screw pitch of the feed screw 82.

  The feed pins 81 of the circulation units 300 are fitted between the screw pitches of the feed screws 82, and the circulation units 300 are fed to the right side of FIG. A dog 55 is located at the position where the feed screw 82 is exited, and the lever 21 is tilted to the right as shown in FIG. 5B to engage the endless chain 400 and the insertion pin 23. In the case of this interval setting mechanism 80, the receiving plate 12 and the lever 61 are not required for each circulation unit 300, and each circulation unit 300 is lightened accordingly.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the sheet | seat stretching apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing one circulation unit in the sheet stretching apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a partial cross-sectional view along the width direction of the belt-like sheet in the sheet stretching apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the condition in which the sheet | seat clip unit in the circulation unit of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the condition where the insertion pin mechanism in the circulation unit of FIG. 2 engages with an endless chain. It is a figure for demonstrating the condition where the high-speed chuck mechanism in the circulation unit of FIG. 2 hold | grips an endless chain. FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram illustrating a circulation unit accumulation mechanism of the sheet stretching apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram illustrating a distance setting lever mechanism of the sheet stretching apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram illustrating a connecting block mechanism 10 of the sheet stretching apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a partial schematic diagram illustrating an interval setting mechanism that replaces the interval setting lever mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8.

Explanation of symbols

100 ... strip-shaped sheet
200 ... Endless guide rail
300 ... circulation unit
400,800 ... endless chain
500,900 Motor
600 ... Stretched chain
700 ... Servo motor
1100 ... Extension guide
A ... Preheating part
B ... Extension part
C ... Heat fixing part

Claims (5)

There are a preheating part, an extending part, and a heat fixing part sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance of the belt-like sheet, and the width direction of the belt-like sheet with a plurality of sheet clips that circulate between the preheating part and the heat fixing part. In the sheet stretching apparatus for maintaining the stretched state by stretching in at least one of the transport direction and the width direction while gripping and transporting both edges of
Endless guide rails are provided on both sides in the width direction of the belt-like sheet from the preheating portion to the heat fixing portion, and the both endless guides are arranged so that a plurality of circulation units can move along both endless guide rails. Suspended on a rail, each circulation unit includes a pair of sheet clip units that grip each edge in the width direction of the belt-like sheet so as to be movable in the width direction of the belt-like sheet, and the both endless guides An endless chain is provided along the rail so as to correspond to the preheating part, the extending part, and the heat fixing part, and each circulation unit has an insertion pin that engages between the roller pitches of the endless chain in the preheating part and the endless chain of the extending part. A connecting block that engages with a drive block and a back-preventing block, and a chuck that grips an endless chain in the heat fixing portion. The belt is moved by the driving force of the chain, and the sheet clip unit in each circulation unit is moved in the width direction in the belt-like sheet on both sides of the belt-like sheet in the width direction from the preheating portion to the heat fixing portion. A sheet stretching apparatus comprising a stretching guide for guiding the sheet.   In the sheet stretching apparatus according to claim 1, the preheating unit is further provided with setting means for setting the interval between the circulating units in front and back in accordance with the interval of the roller pitch of the endless chain in the preheating unit, The sheet stretching apparatus, wherein the setting means is adapted to engage between the roller pitches of the endless chain when the interval between the circulation units is matched with the roller pitch of the endless chain in the preheating unit.   3. The sheet stretching apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting means includes a lever provided rotatably on each circulation unit, a receiving plate provided at a position where a lever of each preceding circulation unit contacts, and the lever provided on the apparatus base. A sheet stretching apparatus comprising a rotating cam plate, wherein the rotation amount of the lever is adjusted at a set position of the cam plate, and the interval between the circulating units is set.   2. The sheet stretching apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a circulation unit integration mechanism that returns a desired number of circulation units that have moved from the heat fixing unit to the preheating unit and moved to the heat fixing unit to the preheating unit. The circulation unit integration mechanism is driven by a servo motor having an integration chain for returning the circulation unit to the preheating unit connected via a powder clutch, and the servo motor is connected to the heat fixing unit. A sheet stretching apparatus, wherein a sensor of a circulation unit provided is activated when a desired number is measured. 2. The sheet stretching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stretching unit includes an endless chain that individually moves each circulation unit and a driving unit thereof, and the driving unit includes the preheating unit, the stretching unit, the stretching unit, and the heat unit. A sheet stretching apparatus characterized in that the speed of the endless chain in each of the stretched portions is the same speed at a location adjacent to the fixed portion.

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