CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of strip conveying technologies, and
in particular, to a tape-adjustable roller and a strip conveying device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Roller members are required in the battery manufacturing industry, paper industry,
coating industry, etc. The roll members are not only configured to wind a strip, but
also are configured to convey the strip.
[0004] In a conveying process of the strip, since there is a tension difference between
left and right sides of the strip or a difference in device commissioning, a wrinkle
phenomenon often occurs in the conveying process of the strip, i.e., the two sides
in a width direction of the strip is inconsistent with tightness. The strip may be
wrinkled in a looser side of the strip, or the strip may be torn or deformed in a
tighter side of the strip.
SUMMARY
[0005] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a taper-adjustable
roller and a strip conveying device. A taper of a roll surface of the taper-adjustable
roller can be adjusted based on tightness of a strip at two sides. When the strip
passes the roll surface, an end of the roll surface with a larger diameter corresponds
to a looser side of the strip, and an end of the roll surface with a smaller diameter
corresponds to a tighter side of the strip, thereby reducing a tension difference
between the two sides of the strip, and reducing occurrence of wrinkling, tearing,
or deformation of the strip.
[0006] According to one embodiment of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a taper-adjustable
roller is provided. The taper-adjustable roller includes a support shaft, a plurality
of support sheets, and a first push member. The plurality of support sheets is arranged
circumferentially around the support shaft. Circumferential surfaces of the plurality
of support sheets at sides of the plurality of support sheets facing away from the
support shaft are assembled to form a roll surface. Each of the plurality of support
sheets has a first end and a second end in an axial direction of the support shaft,
and the plurality of support sheets is swingable relative to the support shaft. The
first push member is disposed on the support shaft, and is configured to push the
first ends of the plurality of support sheets in a substantially radial direction,
to move the first ends towards the support shaft and move the second ends away from
the support shaft, or to move the first ends away from the support shaft and move
the second ends towards the support shaft, enabling a diameter of the roll surface
to gradually vary from the first ends to the second ends.
[0007] With the above solution, when the taper-adjustable roller is configured to convey
the strip, the end of the roll surface with the larger diameter is configured to contact
with the looser side of the strip, and the end of the roll surface with the smaller
diameter is configured contact with the tighter side of the strip. A contact area
between the looser side of the strip and the roll surface is larger, and a contact
area between the tighter side of the strip and the roll surface is smaller, which
enables the looser side of the strip to be tightened by the taper-adjustable roller,
to balance the tightness of the strip at the two sides in a width direction of the
strip and reduce the tension difference between the two sides of the strip, thereby
reducing occurrence of wrinkling, tearing, or deformation of the strip.
[0008] In some embodiments, the taper-adjustable roller further includes a converging member
configured to press and/or tension the plurality of support sheets towards the support
shaft, enabling the plurality of support sheets to tend to converge towards the support
shaft
[0009] With the above solution, the converging member enables the plurality of support sheets
to tend to converge towards the support shaft, to prevent the plurality of support
sheets from being disengaged from the support shaft and being dispersed due to the
pushing of the first push member, which ensures structural integrity and stability
of the taper-adjustable roller.
[0010] In some embodiments, the taper-adjustable roller further includes a second push member
configured to support the second ends of the plurality of support sheets in the substantially
radial direction.
[0011] With the above solution, the diameter of the roll surface of the taper-adjustable
roller can be adjusted to gradually decrease from the first ends to the second ends
or gradually increase from the first ends to the second ends based on requirements
through the engagement between the first push member and the second push member. Therefore,
without changing a mounting position and a mounting direction of the taper-adjustable
roller, the taper-adjustable roller can be configured to adjust the tightness of the
strip at the two sides in different tensions, which allows the taper-adjustable roller
to be more adaptable, have a wider range of disclosures, and be more convenient to
use.
[0012] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of support sheets is provided with a swing
support portion. The swing support portion is engaged with the support shaft to support
the support sheet to swing on the support shaft about the swing support portion.
[0013] With the above solution, the plurality of support sheets swings on the support shaft
about the swing support portion, which enables a swing region and a swing amplitude
of the support sheets to be more controllable, and facilitates the taper-adjustable
roller to be applied in actual production.
[0014] In some embodiments, the taper-adjustable roller further includes a limit portion
provided at the support shaft and configured to limit the swing support portion to
swing within a range limited by the limit portion.
[0015] With the above solution, the swing support portion engages with the limit portion,
which enables the plurality of support sheets to drive the swing support portion to
swing within the range limited by the limit portion, and further improves controllability
of the swing region and the swing amplitude of the plurality of support sheets.
[0016] In some embodiments, the limit portion has a recess formed at the support shaft,
and the swing support portion partially swings in the recess.
[0017] With the above solution, the recess defines a position of the swing support portion
at the support shaft, which allows the plurality of support sheets to swing within
the groove and not easy to disengage from the recess in the axial direction of the
support shaft when the plurality of support sheets is pushed by the first push member
or the second push member. The roll surface formed by the plurality of support sheets
is therefore substantially constant in the axial direction of the taper-adjustable
roller, which facilitates conveying of the strips on a fixed path.
[0018] In some embodiments, a contact portion between the swing support portion and the
recess has an arc shape.
[0019] With the above solution, the swing support portion swings more smoothly in the recess.
[0020] In some embodiments, the first push member has a first push conical surface, and
the first push conical surface has an axis direction parallel to the axial direction
of the support shaft. The first push member is movable in the axial direction of the
support shaft, to bring the first ends of the plurality of support sheets to be into
sliding contact with the first push conical surface, and to push the first ends of
the plurality of support sheets by the first push conical surface to move close to
or away from the support shaft.
[0021] With the above solution, when the first push member moves in the axial direction
of the support shaft and the plurality of support sheets does not move in the axial
direction of the support shaft, the first push conical surface can convert a movement
of the first push member in the axial direction of the support shaft into swing of
the plurality of support sheets. That is, when the first push member moves in the
axial direction of the support shaft, the first push conical surface slides relative
to the plurality of support sheets, bringing the first ends of the plurality of support
sheets to gradually move close to or away from the support shaft.
[0022] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of support sheets is provided with a first
adjustment portion protruding towards the first push member, and the first adjustment
portion has a first contact surface in sliding contact with the first push conical
surface.
[0023] With the above solution, a relative movement between the plurality of support sheets
and the first push member is realized through the sliding contact between the first
contact surface and the first push conical surface, which makes the plurality of support
sheets and the first push member to have a larger force surface and less wear during
the relative movement therebetween.
[0024] In some embodiments, the first push member is threadedly connected to the support
shaft in the axial direction of the support shaft.
[0025] With the above solution, when the first push member rotates around the support shaft,
a position of the first push member in the axial direction of the support shaft can
be adjusted, thereby enabling the first push member to push the first ends of the
plurality of support sheets to move close to or away from the support shaft. When
the first push member moves to a position, self-locking can be performed by the threaded
connection. Therefore, the first push member cannot move under the pushing of the
plurality of support sheets, ensuring stability of the taper of the roll surface formed
by the plurality of support sheets.
[0026] In some embodiments, the second push member has a second push conical surface, and
the second push conical surface has an axis direction parallel to the axial direction
of the support shaft. The second push member is movable in the axial direction of
the support shaft, to bring the second ends of the plurality of support sheets to
be into sliding contact with the second push conical surface.
[0027] With the above solution, when the second push member moves in the axial direction
of the support shaft and the plurality of support sheets does not move in the axial
direction of the support shaft, the second push conical surface can convert a movement
of the second push member in the axial direction of the support shaft into the swing
of the plurality of support sheets in the radial direction of the support shaft. That
is, when the second push member moves in the axial direction of the support shaft,
the second push conical surface slides relative to the plurality of support sheets,
bringing the second ends of the plurality of support sheets to gradually move close
to or away from the support shaft.
[0028] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of support sheets is provided with a second
adjustment portion protruding towards the second push member, and the second adjustment
portion has a second contact surface in sliding contact with the second push conical
surface.
[0029] With the above solution, a relative movement between the plurality of support sheets
and the second push member is realized through the sliding contact between the second
contact surface and the second push conical surface, which makes the plurality of
support sheets and the second push member to have a larger force surface and less
wear during the relative movement therebetween.
[0030] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of support sheets includes a roll surface
forming portion and a positioning portion. A surface of the roll surface forming portion
at least partially forms the roll surface. The positioning portion is located at a
radially inner side of the roll surface forming portion. The support shaft is provided
with stop portions, and the stop portions are respectively disposed at two ends of
the support shaft. The stop portions are engaged with the positioning portion to limit
an axial movement of the support sheet.
[0031] With the above solution, the stop portions can position the plurality of support
sheets in the axial direction of the support shaft, enabling each of the plurality
of support sheets to swing only within a range limited by the stop portion. Under
an action of the first push member or second push member, the plurality of support
sheets cannot easily move in the axial direction of the support shaft, and the taper-adjustable
roller is more structurally stable. In addition, the roll surface formed by the plurality
of support sheets is more regular, and the taper of the roll surface is more controllable.
[0032] In some embodiments, the support shaft includes an inner shaft and an outer shaft
having a through hole in an axial direction of the outer shaft. The inner shaft is
disposed in the through hole and configured to rotatably support the outer shaft,
and the plurality of support sheets is connected to the outer shaft.
[0033] With the above solution, the inner shaft can be configured to fix the taper-adjustable
roller to an external device. Since the inner shaft rotatably supports the outer shaft,
when the inner shaft is fixedly connected to the external device, the outer shaft
is able to rotate around the inner shaft to convey the strip under a friction of the
strip and reduce the tear of the strip to avoid damage to the strip.
[0034] In some embodiments, the first push member is disposed between the outer shaft and
the inner shaft. The plurality of support sheets at least partially penetrates a sidewall
of the outer shaft to be in sliding contact with the first push member.
[0035] With the above solution, the first push member is arranged between the inner shaft
and the outer shaft. Therefore, the first push member does not occupy the space between
the support shaft and the plurality of support sheets, allowing a larger range for
taper adjustment of the plurality of support sheets to be possible outside the support
shaft.
[0036] According to another embodiment of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a strip
conveying device is provided. The strip conveying device includes the taper-adjustable
roller according to any one of the above embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0037] With the above solution, the tightness of the strip at the two sides can be adjusted
by the taper-adjustable roller during the conveying process, which reduces problems
of wrinkling, deformation, and tearing of the strip.
[0038] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first push member pushes
the plurality of support sheets, which allows the diameter of the roll surface formed
by the plurality of support sheets to change gradually from the first ends to the
second ends to form a conical surface. When the tape-adjustable roller is configured
to convey the strip, the end of the roll surface with the larger diameter can be configured
to contact the looser side of the strip, and the end of the roll surface with the
smaller diameter can be configured to contact the tighter side of the strip. The contact
area between the looser side of the strip and the roll surface is larger, and the
contact area between the tighter side of the strip and the roll surface is smaller,
which enables the looser side of the strip to be tightened by the taper-adjustable
roller, to balance the tightness of the strip at the two sides in the width direction
of the strip and to reduce the tension difference between the two sides of the strip,
thereby reducing occurrence of wrinkling, tearing, and deformation of the strip.
[0039] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solutions of the embodiments
of the present disclosure. To facilitate a clear understanding of technical means
of the embodiments of the present disclosure to implement the technical solutions
in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to clarify and explain the
above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure, specific
embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] In order to clearly explain technical solutions of embodiments of the present disclosure,
drawings used in the description of the embodiments are briefly described below. The
drawings as described below are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Based on these drawings, other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art
without creative effort.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an overall structure of a tape-adjustable roller according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the tape-adjustable roller in a first state according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the taper-adjustable roller in a second state according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view of the tape-adjustable roller according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a tape-adjustable roller according to another embodiment
of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a tape-adjustable roller according to further another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a tape-adjustable roller according to still another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a structure of a first push member according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 3.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a structure of a second push member according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 6.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a structure of support sheets according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a support shaft according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a structure of a support shaft according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0041] Reference numbers of the accompanying drawings are illustrated below:
1 support shaft; 11 limit portion; 111 recess; 12 positioning groove; 13 inner shaft;
14 outer shaft; 141 through hole; 15 bearing; 16 stop portion; 2 support sheet; 21
first end; 22 second end; 23 swing support portion; 24 first adjustment portion; 241
first contact surface; 25 roll surface forming portion; 26 positioning portion; 27
second adjustment portion; 271 second contact surface; 3 roll surface ; 4 first push
member; 41 first push conical surface; 5 converging member; 6 second push member;
61 second pushing conical surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] In order to make objectives, technical solutions and advantages of embodiments of
the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of embodiments of the present
disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with accompanying
drawings in the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described below are
only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not all embodiments
of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, other
embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within
scope of the present disclosure.
[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the
same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure.
Terms in a specification of the present disclosure herein are only used for the purpose
of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.
[0044] Terms "including", "having", and any variations thereof in the specification, claims,
and accompanying drawings of the present disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive
inclusions. The word "one" or "a" does not preclude the existence of more than one.
[0045] In the present disclosure, reference to "embodiment" means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment or implementation
may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The presence
of the term at each place in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same
embodiment, nor does it refer to a separate or alternative embodiment that is mutually
exclusive of other embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art,
both explicitly and implicitly, that the embodiments described herein may be combined
with other embodiments.
[0046] In the present disclosure, the term "and/or" only represents a relationship between
correlated objects, including three relationships. For example, "A and/or B" may mean
three situations: A only, B only, or both A and B. In addition, the character "/"
in the present disclosure generally represents an "or" relationship between the correlated
objects preceding and succeeding the symbol.
[0047] Orientation words shown in the following descriptions are in the directions shown
in the drawings and are not intended to limit a specific structure of a taper-adjustable
roller or a strip conveying device of the present disclosure. For example, in the
description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the orientation or the position
indicated by terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width",
"thickness", "over", "below", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal",
"top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "anti-clockwise", "axial", "radial",
and "circumferential" should be construed to refer to the orientation and the position
as shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the embodiments
of the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating
or implying that the pointed device or element must have a specific orientation, or
be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood
as a limitation of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0048] In addition, in the specification and claims of the present disclosure or in the
above-mentioned drawings, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish
different objects, rather than describing a particular order, and may expressly or
impliedly include one or more of such features.
[0049] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise
specifically defined, "a plurality of' refers to more than two (including two). Similarly,
"a plurality of groups" refers to more than two groups (including two groups).
[0050] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that terms such
as "installed", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense,
unless otherwise clearly specified and limited. For example, the "connected" or "coupled"
of a mechanical structure may refer to a physical connection. The physical connection
may be a fixed connection, e.g., by means of fixing members. The connection may be
fixed by screws, bolts or other fixings. The physical connection may also be a detachable
connection, such as a mutual snap-fit or snap-fit connection. In addition, the physical
connection may also be an integral connection, such as welded, bonded, or integrally
molded to form a connection to attachment. The "connected" or "coupled" of a circuit
structure may refer not only to a physical connection, but also to an electrical or
signaling connection. For example, it may be a direct connection, i.e., a physical
connection, or an indirect connection through at least one intermediate element. As
long as the circuit is connected, the connection may be internal to the two elements.
In addition to a signal connection through a circuit, the signal connection can also
refer to a signal connection through a media medium such as radio waves. For those
of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above-mentioned terms in
the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.
[0051] Common strips in production include paper, clothes, plastic films, battery electrode
plates, battery isolation films, etc. These strips need to be transferred from one
process to another process in a production process, or need to be unwound, transported,
and wound in the same process.
[0052] Taking battery manufacturing as an example, an electrode plate of a battery needs
to undergo many processes in the production process, such as coating, cold pressing,
die cutting, striping, and winding, and each of the processes needs to be carried
out during a conveying process of the electrode plate. However, it has been found
in the production process that the electrode plate often appears wrinkles, deformation,
or tears.
[0053] It was found through research that the above problems are due to an inevitable occurrence
of different tension at two sides in a width direction in a process of conveying the
electrode plate in a length direction. Since there is a tension difference between
the two sides of the electrode plate, the strip does not have the same tightness at
the two sides of the strip in the conveying process. The electrode plate may be wrinkled
in a looser side of the electrode plate, and the electrode plate may be torn or deformed
due to a larger force in a tighter side of the electrode plate.
[0054] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a tape-adjustable
roller. A taper of a roll surface of the tape-adjustable roller is adjustable based
on tightness at the two sides of the strip. When the strip passes the roll surface,
an end of the roll surface with a larger diameter corresponds to the looser side of
the strip, and another end of the roll surface with a smaller diameter corresponds
to the tighter side of the strip, thereby reducing a tension difference between the
two sides of the strip, and reducing occurrence of wrinkling, tearing, or deformation
of the strip.
[0055] As shown in FIG 1, FIG 2, FIG 3, and FIG 4, the taper-adjustable roller of the embodiments
of the present disclosure includes a support shaft 1, a plurality of support sheets
2, and a first push member 4. The plurality of support sheets 2 is arranged circumferentially
around the support shaft 1. Circumferential surfaces of the plurality of support sheets
2 at sides of the plurality of support sheets 2 facing away from the support shaft
1 are assembled to form a roll surface 3. Each of the plurality of support sheets
2 has a first end 21 and a second end 22 in an axial direction of the support shaft
1, and the plurality of support sheets 2 is swingable relative to the support shaft
1. The first push member 4 is disposed on the support shaft 1. The first push member
4 is configured to push the first ends 21 of the plurality of support sheets 2 in
a substantially radial direction, to move the first ends 21 toward the support shaft
1 and move the second ends 22 away from the support shaft 1, or to move the first
ends 21 away from the support shaft 1 and move the second ends 22 toward the support
shaft 1, such that a diameter of the roll surface 3 gradually varies from the first
end 21 to the second end 22.
[0056] The entire support shaft 1 is in a shape of a shaft rod, which may be an integral
member or an assembled member. The support shaft 1 provides support and positioning
for the plurality of support sheets 2, enabling the plurality of support sheets 2
to be arranged with respect to the support shaft 1 as a center and to be converged
or dispersed with respect to the support shaft 1 as the center. The support shaft
1 may further be configured to fix the tape-adjustable roller to an external device,
such as a rack of a strip conveying device.
[0057] The plurality of support sheets 2 is arranged circumferentially around the support
shaft 1. In FIG. 4, the plurality of support sheets 2 is partially illustrated to
facilitate a clear view of a structure of the plurality of support sheets 2. It can
be understood that more support sheets 2 are arranged more densely in an actual use
process. When a distance between a side of the plurality of support sheets 2 away
from the support shaft 1 and the support shaft 1 is approximately equal, connecting
lines of the side of the plurality of support sheets 2 away from support shaft 1 forms
an enclosed polygon. When the number of the support sheets 2 is large enough, the
polygon may be approximately circle, i.e., the plurality of support sheets 2 is combined
at the side facing away from the support shaft 1 to form an approximately cylindrical
structure as the roll surface 3.
[0058] The first push member 4 is configured to push the first ends 21 of the plurality
of support sheets 2 in the substantially radial direction. A pushing direction may
be a direction toward the support shaft 1 in the substantially radial direction to
move the first ends 21 toward the support shaft 1 and move the second ends 22 away
from the support shaft 1, or may be a direction away from the support shaft 1 in the
substantially radial direction to move the first ends 21 away from the support shaft
1 and move the second ends 22 toward the support shaft 1. The substantially radial
direction refers to a direction that is within 90° with respect to a radial direction
of the support shaft 1.
[0059] In order to always form a cylindrical or conical roll surface 3 among the plurality
of support sheets 2, the first push member 4 needs to be able to push the plurality
of support sheets 2 simultaneously and move the plurality of support sheets 2 in a
substantially same displacement in respective radial directions where the plurality
of support sheets 2 is located. On the basis of satisfying this condition, a shape
and a structure of the first push member 4 can be arbitrarily selected, which is not
limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0060] It should be noted that the first push member 4 is not limited to push the first
ends 21 of the plurality of support sheets 2 by contacting tips of the first ends
21 of the plurality of support sheets 2, and the first push member 4 may contact a
position within a region of a half length of the plurality of support sheets 2 close
to the first ends 21 in a length direction, to push the first ends of the plurality
of support sheets 2.
[0061] When a distance between different positions of the plurality of support sheets 2
and the support shaft 1 changes, the diameter of the roll surface 3 also changes.
When different positions of the plurality of support sheets 2 have different distance
from the support shaft 1, the roll surface 3 has different diameters at different
positions. The embodiment of the present disclosure utilizes this principle to control
the distances from the plurality of support sheets 2 to the support shaft 1 through
the first push member 4, which enable the diameter of the roll surface 3 to vary.
When the first push member 4 only pushes the first ends 21 of the plurality of support
sheets 2, a diameter of each of the first ends 21 can be changed, which enables that
the diameter of the roll surface 3 varies in a direction from the first end 21 to
the second end 22 of the roll surface 3. This means that the roll surface 3 has a
taper, and the taper of the roll surface 3 may be adjusted by the first push member
4 to allow the roll surface 3 to accommodate a tension difference between two sides
of the strip in a width direction. The tape-adjustable roller in FIG. 2 is in an initial
state, and in this case, the first push member 4 has not pushed the plurality of support
sheets 2 outwards or inwards. Therefore, the roll surface 3 of the tape-adjustable
roller is in a column shape. FIG. 3 shows a state after the first push member 4 pushes
the first ends of the plurality of support sheets 2 outwardly, and in this case, the
diameter of the roll surface 3 of the tape-adjustable roller gradually decreases from
the first end 21 to the second end 22 of the roll surface 3. In addition, the roll
surface 3 is a conical surface.
[0062] With the above solution, when the taper-adjustable roller is configured to convey
the strip, the strip wraps a part of the roll surface 3 of the taper-adjustable roller.
The end of the roll surface 3 with the larger diameter is configured to contact with
the looser side of the strip, and the end of the roll surface 3 with the smaller diameter
is configured to contact with the tighter side of the strip. In the case that a wrap
angle between the width direction of the strip and the roll surface 3 is substantially
unchanged, a contact area between the looser side of the strip and the roll surface
is larger, and a contact area between the tighter side of the strip and the roll surface
is smaller, which enables the looser side of the strip to be tightened by the taper-adjustable
roller, to balance the tightness of the two sides of the strip in the width direction
of the strip and reduce the tension difference between the two sides of the strip,
thereby reducing occurrence of wrinkling, tearing or deformation of the strip.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the tape-adjustable roller further includes
a converging member 5. The converging member 5 is configured to press and/or tension
the plurality of support sheets 2 toward the support shaft 1, such that the plurality
of support sheets 2 tends to converge toward the support shaft 1.
[0064] The converging member 5 may be disposed at the side of the plurality of support sheets
2 facing away from the support shaft 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the converging
member 5 is an elastic rubber sleeve arranged around the roll surface 3 at an outer
side of the plurality of support sheets 2, and the plurality of support sheets 2 is
converged toward the middle under a pressing action of the elastic rubber sleeve.
The elastic rubber sleeve may be rubber, plastic, silicone, resin materials, and the
like. In addition, the elastic rubber sleeve may be partially arranged around the
plurality of support sheets 2, e.g., the elastic rubber sleeve may be arranged around
an end of the plurality of support sheets 2, a middle portion of the plurality of
support sheets 2, and the like. The elastic rubber sleeve may also be relatively wide
to be arranged around the whole roll surface 3, which can not only be used to press
the plurality of support sheets 2 toward the middle, but also cover gaps between adjacent
support sheets 2, preventing the strip from being cracked in the gaps between the
adjacent support sheets 2.
[0065] The converging member 5 may be disposed at the side of the plurality of support sheets
2 close to the support shaft 1. For example, the converging member 5 is a spring,
and a plurality of springs is provided. Each of the plurality of springs is respectively
connected to the support shaft 1 and one of the plurality of support sheets 2. The
plurality of support sheets 2 tends to move towards the support shaft 1 under a pulling
force of the plurality of springs. The converging member 5 may be a tension band,
an elastic adhesive strip, and the like, which is not limited by the embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0066] In absence of an external force, the converging member 5 converges the plurality
of support sheets 2 towards the support shaft 1 to form a compact and small diameter
cylindrical or cylindrical-like, conical or conical-like structure around the support
shaft 1. When the first push member 4 pushes the plurality of support sheets 2 in
the direction away from the support shaft 1, the converging member 5 provides a force
for pushing the plurality of support sheets 2 towards the support shaft 1 to resist
the pushing force of the first push member 4. In this way, structural integrity of
the plurality of support sheets 2 is maintained at a position away from the support
shaft 1, preventing the plurality of support sheets 2 from separating from the support
shaft 1 and ensuring the structural integrity and stability of the taper-adjustable
roller. When the first push member 4 removes the pushing force on each of the plurality
of support sheets 2, or when the pushing force applied on each of the plurality of
support sheets 2 decreases, the plurality of support sheets 2 converges towards the
support shaft 1 by the converging member 5 to reduce the taper of the roll surface
3, thereby achieving the purpose that the taper of the tapered surface of the tape-adjustable
roller can be flexibly adjusted.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the tape-adjustable roller further includes
a second push member 6, which is configured to support the second ends 22 of the plurality
of support sheets 2 in the substantially radial direction.
[0068] The structure of the second push member 6 is the same as or similar to the structure
of the first push member 4, and related descriptions of the first push member 4 in
the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the second push member
6. The structure and effect of the second push member 6 in the embodiments of the
present disclosure are not described in detail.
[0069] It should be noted that the second push member 6 is not limited to push the second
ends 22 of the plurality of support sheets 2 by contacting tips of the second ends
22 of the plurality of support sheets 2. Alternatively, the second push member 6 may
contact the plurality of support sheets 2 at a position within the region of the half
length of the plurality of support sheets 2 close to the second ends 22 in the length
direction.
[0070] According to the above solution, the cooperation between the first push member 4
and the second push member 6 allows the diameter of the roll surface 3 of the tape-adjustable
roller to be adjusted to gradually decrease from the first ends 21 to the second ends
22 or gradually increase from the first ends 21 to the second ends 22 based on requirements.
Therefore, the taper-adjustable roller is configured to adjust the tightness at the
two sides of the strip in different tensions without changing a mounting position
and a mounting direction of the taper-adjustable roller. In addition, the mutual cooperation
between the first push member 4 and the second push member 6 can not only allow the
roll surface 3 of the tape-adjustable roller to form conical surfaces with different
tapers, but also allow the roll surfaces 3 of the tape-adjustable roller to form cylindrical
surfaces with different diameters, which allows the taper-adjustable roller to be
more adaptable, have a wider application range, and be more convenient to use.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of support
sheets 2 is provided with a swing support portion 23. The swing support portion 23
is engaged with the support shaft 1 to support the support sheet 2 to swing on the
support shaft about the swing support portion 23.
[0072] The swing support portion 23 may be a protrusion provided at the support sheet. The
protrusion may abut against the support shaft 1, or may be connected to the support
shaft 1 in a hinged manner, which enables that the support sheet 2 can swing on the
support shaft 1 about the swing support portion 23.
[0073] With the above solution, the support sheet 2 swings on the support shaft 1 about
the swing support portion 23 as a fulcrum, which enables a swing region and a swing
amplitude of the support sheet 2 to be more controllable, thereby facilitating the
taper-adjustable roller to be applied in actual production.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the tape-adjustable roller further
includes a limit portion 11 provided at the support shaft 1, and the limit portion
11 is configured to limit the swing support portion 23 to swing within a region defined
by the limit portion 11.
[0075] The limit portion 11 may be a concave structure provided at the support shaft 1,
or a hole or a groove provided at the support shaft 1 to be connected to the swing
support portion 23 in a hinged manner. The limit portion 11 may be integrally formed
with the support shaft 1, or may be a portion attached to the support shaft 1. The
limit portion 11 may also be a flexible member, such as a rope. An end of the flexible
member is connected to the support shaft 1, and another end of the flexible member
is connected to the swing support portion 23, which allow the swing support portion
23 to be limited to swing within a region limited by the flexible member, and further
improve controllability of the swing region and the swing amplitude of the plurality
of support sheets 2.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, the limit portion 11 may be disposed at the middle of the support
shaft 1 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the limit portion 11 may be disposed
close to any end of the support shaft 1.
[0077] It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 6, a cooperating structure of the swing
support portion 23 and the limit portion 11 may be disposed at the middle of the tape-adjustable
roller in the length direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the cooperating structure of the
swing support portion 23 and the limit portion 11 may also be disposed close to any
end of the tape-adjustable roller in the length direction, which is not limited by
the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the limit portion 11 has a recess
111 formed at the support shaft 1. The swing support portion 23 partially swings in
the recess 111.
[0079] The recess 111 is a structure recessed from a surface of the support shaft 1. The
recess 111 may be formed by removing materials from the support shaft 1. This form
of limit portion 11 is unnecessary to occupy a space at an outer side of the surface
of the support shaft 1.
[0080] When the swing support portion 23 partially swings in the recess 111, an inner wall
of the recess 111 abuts against a portion of the swing support portion 23 located
in the recess 111. The recess 111 provides a resistance for the swing support portion
23, such that when the support sheet 2 is pushed by the first push member 4 or the
second push member 6, the swing support portion 23 swings in the recess 111 and is
not easy to disengage from the recess 111 to move in the axial direction of the support
shaft 1. In this way, the position of the roll surface 3 formed by the plurality of
support sheets 2 is substantially fixed in the axial direction of the tape-adjustable
roller, which facilitates conveying of the strips on a fixed path.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in some embodiments, a contact portion between the
swing support portion 23 and the recess 111 is in an arc shape.
[0082] When the swing support portion 23 rotates along with the support sheet 2 in the recess
111, a contact surface between the swing support portion 23 and the recess 111 is
smoother, and rotation resistance is smaller, which enable the swing support portion
23 to swing more smoothly in the recess 111.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the first push member 4 has a
first push conical surface 41, which has an axis direction parallel to the axial direction
of the support shaft 1. The first push member 4 is movable in the axial direction
of the support shaft 1, to bring the first ends 21 of the plurality of support sheets
2 to be into sliding contact with the first push conical surface 41 and push the first
ends 21 of the plurality of support sheets 2 against the first push conical surface
41 to move close to or away from the support shaft 1.
[0084] With the above solution, when the first push member 4 moves in the axial direction
of the support shaft 1 and the plurality of support sheets 2 cannot move in the axial
direction of the support shaft 1, the first push conical surface 41 is configured
to convert a movement of the first push member 4 in the axial direction of the support
shaft 1 into swing of the plurality of support sheets 2. That is, when the first push
member 4 moves in the axial direction of the support shaft 1, the first push conical
surface 41 slides relative to the plurality of support sheets 2, to bring the first
ends 21 of the plurality of support sheets 2 to move gradually close to or away from
the support shaft 1.
[0085] Since the axis direction of the first push conical surface 41 is parallel to the
axial direction of the support shaft 1, when the axial direction of the first push
conical surface 41 coincides with the axial direction of the support shaft 1, a distance
between a generatrix of the first push conical surface 41 and the axial direction
of the support shaft 1 is constant. When the first push member 4 moves in the axial
direction of the support shaft 1, the first push conical surface 41 drives the plurality
of support sheets 2 to simultaneously swing in the same amplitude or similar amplitudes,
which enables the plurality of support sheets 2 to form a relatively smooth conical
surface at any angle.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 9, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of support sheets
2 is provided with a first adjustment portion 24 protruding towards the first push
member 4. The first adjustment portion 24 has a first contact surface 241 in sliding
contact with the first push conical surface 41.
[0087] The first adjustment portion 24 protrudes towards the support shaft 1, and the first
contact surface 241 is located at an end surface of the first adjustment portion 24
close to an end of the support shaft 1. The first contact surface 241 may be a partial
region of the end surface or an entire end surface.
[0088] The first contact surface 241 may be an inclined surface or a curved surface. When
the first contact surface 241 is the inclined surface, an inclined direction of the
first contact surface 241 is substantially the same as an inclined direction of the
first push conical surface 41, which means that the first push conical surface 41
is configured to be gradually close to the support shaft 1 in the direction from the
first end 21 to the second end 22. An inclined surface of each of the plurality of
support sheets 2 is configured to be gradually close to the support shaft 1 in the
direction from the first end 21 to the second end 22. An inclination degree of the
first push conical surface 41 and an inclination degree of the inclined surface are
not specifically limited. When the first contact surface 241 is the curved surface,
an axis of the curved surface is located at a side of the curved surface away from
the support shaft 1.
[0089] Although a relative angle between the first contact surface 241 and the first push
conical surface 41 may change during the movement of the first push member 4 in the
axis of the support shaft 1, engagement between the first contact surface 241 and
the first push conical surface 41 can still increase the contact area between the
plurality of support sheets 2 and the first push member 4 and absorbing impact when
the plurality of support sheets 2 and the first push member 4 move relative to each
other, thereby reducing wear between the plurality of support sheets 2 and the first
push member 4.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the first push member 4 is threadedly connected
to the support shaft 1 in the axial direction of the support shaft 1.
[0091] With the above solution, when the first push member 4 rotates around the support
shaft 1, a position of the first push member 4 in the axial direction of the support
shaft 1 can be adjusted, thereby enabling the first push member 4 to push the first
ends 21 of the plurality of support sheets 2 to move close to or away from the support
shaft 1. When the first push member 4 moves to a position, self-locking can be performed
by the threaded connection. Therefore, the first push member 4 cannot move under the
pushing of the plurality of support sheets 2, ensuring stability of the taper of the
roll surface 3 formed by the plurality of support sheets 2.
[0092] Furthermore, when the first contact surface 241 coincides with the axis of the support
shaft 1 and an axis of the threaded connection coincides with the axis of the support
shaft 1, distances from the first contact surface 241 to the axis of the support shaft
1 in various directions are the same or substantially the same during the rotation
of the first push member 4 relative to the support shaft 1. Therefore, the plurality
of support sheets 2 controlled by the first contact surface 241 has the same or substantially
same inclination angle from the first ends 21 to the second ends 22, i.e., the first
push member 4 pushes each of the plurality of support sheets 2 at the same inclination
angle from the first end 21 to the second end 22 during the movement. In this way,
the plurality of support sheets 2 forms a more regular conical roll surface 3.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, in some embodiments, the second push member 6 has
a second push conical surface 61, which has an axis direction parallel to the axial
direction of the support shaft 1. The second push member 6 is movable in the axial
direction of the support shaft 1 to bring the second ends 22 of the plurality of support
sheets 2 to be into sliding contact with the second push conical surface 61.
[0094] Possible structures and functions of the second push conical surface 61 are the same
as or similar to those of the first push conical surface 41, and are not described
in detail in this embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0095] With the above solution, when the second push member 6 moves in the axial direction
of the support shaft 1 and the plurality of support sheets 2 does not move in the
axial direction of the support shaft 1, the second push conical surface 61 can convert
the movement of the second push member 6 in the axial direction of the support shaft
1 into the swing of the plurality of support sheets 2. That is, when the second push
member 6 moves in the axial direction of the support shaft 1, the second push conical
surface 61 slides relative to the plurality of support sheets 2, to bring the second
ends 22 of the plurality of support sheets 2 to move gradually close to or away from
the support shaft 1.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 11, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of support sheets
2 is provided with a second adjustment portion 27 protruding towards the second push
member 6. The second adjustment portion 27 has a second contact surface 271 in sliding
contact with the second push conical surface 61.
[0097] Possible structures and functions of the second adjustment portion 27 are the same
as or similar to those of the first adjustment portion 24, and possible structures
and functions of the second contact surface 271 are the same as or similar to those
of the first contact surface 241. For details, it can refer to descriptions of the
related embodiments of the first adjustment portion 24 and the first contact surface
241, and this embodiment of the present disclosure will not be described again.
[0098] With the above solution, a relative movement between the plurality of support sheets
2 and the second push member 6 is achieved through the sliding contact between the
second contact surface 271 and the second push conical surface 61, which makes the
plurality of support sheets 2 and the second push member 6 to have a larger force
surface and less wear during the relative movement therebetween.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of support
sheets 2 includes a roll surface forming portion 25 and a positioning portion 26.
A surface of the roll surface forming portion 25 at least partially forms the roll
surface 3. The positioning portion 26 is located at a radially inner side of the roll
surface forming portion 25. The support shaft 1 is provided with stop portions 16,
which are disposed respectively at two ends of the support shaft 1. The stop portions
16 are engaged with the positioning portion 26 to limit the axial movement of the
support sheet 2.
[0100] The roll surface forming portion 25 extends in the length direction of the tape-adjustable
roller, and a portion of the roll surface forming portion 25 that is configured to
form the roll surface 3 may be a plane or a curved surface. When a plurality of roll
surface forming portions 25 are arranged evenly, the plurality of roll surface forming
portions 25 forms a shape approximate to a cylindrical surface or a conical surface
between every two adjacent roll surface forming portions.
[0101] The positioning portion 26 may have a length and a width, both of which are smaller
than the roll surface forming portion 25. The number of positioning portions 26 may
be one or more. The positioning portion 26 may be mounted the outside of the support
shaft 1, or a groove may be formed in the support shaft to mount the positioning portion
26 in the groove.
[0102] For example, in an embodiment as shown in FIG. 14, a positioning groove 12 is provided
at an outer wall of the support shaft 1. A length direction of the positioning portion
26 is parallel to the length direction of the support shaft 1, and a width direction
of the positioning portion 26 is perpendicular to the length direction of the support
shaft 1. A width of the positioning portion 26 is smaller than a width of the positioning
groove 12, and a length of the positioning portion 26 is smaller than a length of
the positioning groove 12, enabling the positioning portion 26 to fit into positioning
groove 12. One positioning portion 26 is provided. A bottom surface of the positioning
groove 12 has a circular arc shape in the length direction thereof, and the positioning
portion 26 has a circular arc shaped surface that engages with the bottom surface
of the positioning groove 12. When the plurality of support sheets 2 is pushed by
the first push member 4 or the second push member 6, the positioning portion 26 rotates
in the positioning groove 12. The positioning portion 26 and the positioning groove
12 can always maintain a circular arc surface contact therebetween in the rotation
process. The positioning groove 12 has a better support effect on the plurality of
the support sheets 2, and is conducive to the smooth rotation of the plurality of
the support sheets 2.
[0103] With the engagement between the positioning portion 26 and the positioning groove
12, each of the plurality of support sheets 2 can only move or rotate within a range
limited by the positioning groove 12. The positioning groove 12 can not only position
the plurality of support sheets 2 in a circumferential direction of the support shaft
1, but also position the plurality of support sheets 2 in the axial direction of the
support shaft 1. The roll surface 3 formed by the plurality of support sheets 2 is
more regular, and the structure of the taper-adjustable roller is more stable.
[0104] The support shaft 1 is provided with the stop portions 16 at each of the two ends
thereof. A distance between the two stop portions 16 may be greater than a maximum
length of the positioning portion 26. Alternatively, a maximum distance exists between
two positioning portions 26 of a plurality of positioning portions 26 that are located
at two distal ends of the plurality of support sheets 2 in the length direction. In
this way, the plurality of support sheets 2 has a movable space in the axis direction
of the support shaft 1 in the swing process, to facilitate the plurality of support
sheets 2 to swing freely to form the roll surface 3 with different tapers.
[0105] In addition, when the movement region of the plurality of support sheets 2 exceeds
a space limited by the two stop portions 16, the two stop portions 16 can position
the plurality of support sheets 2 in the axial direction of the support shaft 1. In
this way, each of the plurality of support sheets 2 can only swing within the range
limited by the stop portions 16. Under an action of the first push member 4 or the
second push member 6, the plurality of support sheets 2 cannot easily move in the
axial direction of the support shaft 1. Therefore, the structure of the tape-adjustable
roller is more stable, and the roll surface 3 formed by the plurality of support sheets
2 is more regular. The taper of the roll surface 3 is more controllable.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the positioning portion 26 has a width
perpendicular to the axial direction of the support shaft 1, which is smaller than
a width of the roll surface forming portion 25.
[0107] The roll surface forming portion 25 is configured to form the roll surface 3. The
positioning portion 26 is configured to engage with the positioning groove 12 of the
support shaft 1. Therefore, the positioning portion 26 is located closer to the support
shaft 1 than the roll surface forming portion 25. That is, when the axis of the support
shaft 1 is an axle center, a circumference diameter of the roll surface forming portion
25 is larger, and a circumference diameter of the positioning portion 26 is smaller.
Therefore, when the width of the positioning portion 26 in a direction perpendicular
to the axial direction of the support shaft 1 is smaller than the width of the roll
surface forming portion 25, adjacent positioning portions 26 are unlikely to contact
before adjacent roll surface forming portions 25 in a process of reducing the diameter
of the roll surface 3 formed by the plurality of support sheets 2. Therefore, roll
surface forming portions 25 of two adjacent support sheets 2 can freely move close
to or away from each other. The diameter of the roll surface 3 of the tape-adjustable
roller depends on a spacing between the adjacent roll surface forming portions 25,
which enables that flexibility of diameter and taper adjustment of the roll surface
forming portion 25 is greater and an adjustment region is wider.
[0108] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the support shaft 1 includes
an inner shaft 13 and an outer shaft 14. The outer shaft 14 has a through hole 141
in an axial direction of the outer shaft 14. The inner shaft 13 is disposed in the
through hole 141 and rotatably supports the outer shaft 14, and the plurality of support
sheets 2 is connected to the outer shaft 14.
[0109] The inner shaft 13 may be a step shaft, and the through hole 141 of the outer shaft
14 may be a step hole. The inner shaft 13 and the outer shaft 14 may be rotatably
engaged in the circumferential direction, i.e., the outer shaft 14 may rotate only
and the inner shaft 13 does not move, or only the inner shaft 13 rotates and the outer
shaft 14 does not move. This engagement can be realized by a clearance cooperation
between the inner shaft 13 and the outer shaft 14 or by mounting a bearing 15 between
the inner shaft 13 and the outer shaft 14. In this mounted state, the inner shaft
13 may be fixedly mounted to an external device. In addition, under a friction force
of the strip, the outer shaft 14 rotates relative to the inner shaft 13 to convey
and tension the strip, and reduces tearing of the strip to prevent damage to the strip.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the first push member 4 is arranged between
the outer shaft 14 and the inner shaft 13. The plurality of support sheets 2 at least
partially penetrates a sidewall of the outer shaft 14 to be in sliding contact with
the first push member 4.
[0111] With the above solution, the first push member 4 is arranged between the inner shaft
13 and the outer shaft 14. Therefore, the first push member 4 does not occupy the
space between the support shaft 1 and the plurality of support sheets 2, allowing
a larger region for taper adjustment of the plurality of support sheets 2 to be achieved
outside the support shaft 1.
[0112] According to another embodiment of embodiments of the present disclosure, a strip
conveying device is provided. The strip conveying device includes the tape-adjustable
roller according to any one of the above embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0113] With the above solution, the tightness of the strip at the two sides can be adjusted
by the taper-adjustable roller during the conveying process, which reduces problems
of wrinkling, deformation and tearing of the strip.
[0114] In conclusion, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first
push member 4 pushes the plurality of support sheets 2, which allows the diameter
of the roll surface 3 formed by the plurality of support sheets 2 to change gradually
from the first ends 21 to the second ends 22 to form a conical surface. When the tape-adjustable
roller is configured to convey the strip, the end of the roll surface 3 with the larger
diameter can be configured to contact the looser side of the strip, and the end of
the roll surface 3 with the smaller diameter can be configured to contact the tighter
side of the strip. The contact area between the looser side of the strip and the roll
surface 3 is larger, and the contact area between the tighter side of the strip and
the roll surface 3 is smaller, which enables the looser side of the strip to be tightened
by the taper-adjustable roller, to balance the tightness of the strip at the two sides
in the width direction of the strip and reduce the tension difference between the
two sides of the strip, thereby reducing occurrence of wrinkling, tearing or deformation
of the strip.
[0115] It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although some embodiments
herein include certain features included in other embodiments, combinations of features
of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the present disclosure
and form different embodiments. For example, any one of the embodiments claimed to
be protected may be used in any combination in the claims.
[0116] Each of the above embodiments is used only to illustrate, rather than to limit, the
technical solutions of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has
been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is conceivable
for those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the technical solutions
described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent replacements can be made to
some or all of the technical features in the technical solutions described in the
foregoing embodiments. These modifications or equivalent replacements do not depart
the essence of corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions
of the embodiments of the present disclosure.