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EP3311932B1 - Roll forming machine and coupling device therefor, and coupling method therefor - Google Patents

Roll forming machine and coupling device therefor, and coupling method therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3311932B1
EP3311932B1 EP16195127.2A EP16195127A EP3311932B1 EP 3311932 B1 EP3311932 B1 EP 3311932B1 EP 16195127 A EP16195127 A EP 16195127A EP 3311932 B1 EP3311932 B1 EP 3311932B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupling
coupling element
working
drive system
shaft
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Application number
EP16195127.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3311932A1 (en
EP3311932C0 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Ganter
Robin KALTENBACH
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Dreistern GmbH and Co KG
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Dreistern GmbH and Co KG
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Priority to EP16195127.2A priority Critical patent/EP3311932B1/en
Publication of EP3311932A1 publication Critical patent/EP3311932A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3311932C0 publication Critical patent/EP3311932C0/en
Publication of EP3311932B1 publication Critical patent/EP3311932B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D5/00—Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves
    • B21D5/06—Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves by drawing procedure making use of dies or forming-rollers, e.g. making profiles
    • B21D5/08—Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves by drawing procedure making use of dies or forming-rollers, e.g. making profiles making use of forming-rollers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a coupling device for a profiling machine for coupling and uncoupling a drive system according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2, a profiling machine according to the preamble of claim 7 and a method for coupling a drive system.
  • a profiling machine of the present type comprises a plurality of roll forming tools which are used for the successive longitudinal forming of a metal strip or initial profile into a profile or tube. At least some of these roll forming tools are combined into several tool groups which are arranged one behind the other in the working direction and are each held in a frame. The frames with the tool groups form forming stations which the metal strip or initial profile passes through successively.
  • At least some of the roll forming tools arranged in a forming station are located on working shafts that are mounted in the frame and have coupling counterparts that extend out of the frame at the side.
  • a drive system is coupled to these coupling counterparts in order to apply a torque to the working shafts and drive the corresponding roll forming tools.
  • Profiling machines are able to produce virtually endless profiles or tubes with a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes from a metal strip or a starting profile. Depending on the profile shape, a large number of roll forming tools are used for this, which are grouped together in typically 20 to 30 forming stations arranged in a line one behind the other.
  • a profiling machine such as the one from the EP 0 365 976 B1
  • a coupling stand is provided between the forming stations and the drive system, which can couple and uncouple the working shafts so that the roll forming tools together with their working shafts can be exchanged as a structural unit without having to move the frame relative to the machine base or relative to a frame support plate.
  • the roll forming tools can be exchanged without subsequent lengthy adjustment work, particularly in a direction parallel to the axis of the working shafts, by first uncoupling the drive system. This saves time when converting a profiling machine to a different profile shape and thus reduces disadvantageous production downtimes.
  • coupling stands are provided on the known profiling machines, which are coupled on the one hand to the coupling counterparts of the working shafts leading out of the stands and on the other hand have connections for the drive system of the profiling machine.
  • cardan shafts are usually used, which transfer the torque from the drive system to the connections of the coupling stand, where it is passed on to the coupled working shafts.
  • the coupling stands are designed to be movable towards or away from the stands, so that the coupling counterparts of the working shafts and coupling elements on the coupling stand can be selectively engaged or disengaged. Normally, an axial displacement is necessary for this.
  • the coupling takes place between the drive system of the profiling machine and the coupling stands. Torque transmission is therefore usually carried out using variable-length cardan shafts.
  • the coupling stands are then moved further together towards the forming stations in order to bring the coupling elements into engagement, which ends the coupling process.
  • a gear block of the drive system is moved along with the coupling stands, or the changing distance between the coupling stands and the drive system is compensated for by length-adjustable cardan shafts.
  • the EP 2 452 760 B1 which discloses a coupling device according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2 and a profiling machine according to the preamble of claim 7, it has been proposed to divide the coupling stands into at least two coupling sections each, which can be moved independently of one another.
  • the actual coupling stand then only consists of a supporting element which is arranged in a fixed position next to the associated scaffolding and on which the coupling sections are held separately movable.
  • the present invention is based on the object of further improving a profiling machine and in particular its coupling device with regard to its flexibility and in particular of simplifying retrofitting the coupling device on profiling machines.
  • a coupling device for a profiling machine, which has a plurality of roll forming tools arranged on working shafts for the successive longitudinal forming of a metal strip or initial profile into a profile or tube and which serves for coupling and uncoupling a drive system to and from at least some of the working shafts, contains, as is known per se, at least one variable-length universal joint shaft for transmitting a torque from the drive system to a working shaft, wherein the universal joint shaft is torsionally rigidly connected to the drive system on a drive side and is provided with a coupling element on an output side.
  • the coupling device no longer contains a coupling stand that is permanently assigned to a frame. Instead, the coupling element on the drive side of the universal joint shaft can be brought into engagement with or disengaged from a coupling counterpart on the working shaft by means of a substantially axial movement.
  • the axial movement is understood to be relative to the axis of the respective working shaft to which the coupling element of the universal joint shaft is coupled.
  • the coupling device For coupling and uncoupling the coupling element, which is located on the output side of the cardan shaft, the coupling device is provided with a bracket which is associated with the drive system and is attached to it directly or indirectly.
  • This bracket is provided with a movement device for axially moving the coupling element, wherein the coupling element is attached directly or indirectly to this movement device.
  • the holder with the movement device which ensures the coupling and uncoupling movement of the coupling element of the cardan shaft to and from the coupling counterpart of the working shaft, is assigned to the drive system, not only can the conventional coupling stand be dispensed with, which already brings with it a structural simplification of the coupling device.
  • the solution according to the invention also makes it possible to individually couple cardan shafts to or uncouple them from working shafts. This is indeed possible according to the state of the art according to the EP 2 452 760 B1 also possible, however, a coupling device according to the invention can also be easily retrofitted to profiling machines which have conventional, one-piece coupling stands or no coupling stands at all.
  • the coupling device can be removed in a few simple steps, for example on a scaffold or a forming station, in order to gain installation space for further applications such as multifunctional exchange units.
  • the coupling counterpart on the working shaft and the coupling element on the output side of the universal joint shaft, which are to be coupled to one another in a torsionally rigid manner, are designed on the one hand as a coupling pin and on the other hand as a coupling sleeve, which can be plugged onto one another in a form-fitting manner by means of an axial movement, for example by the coupling pin being designed as a multi-wedge which is received in a form-fitting manner by the coupling sleeve.
  • the movement device for axially moving the coupling element is also provided according to the invention for moving the coupling element in at least one direction orthogonal to the axial direction, in particular in the vertical direction.
  • the movement device of the coupling device according to the invention preferably has at least one horizontal slide and one vertical slide in order to be able to carry out axial or horizontal movements and vertical movements.
  • the coupling sleeve is provided with a centering element which has a sliding surface which covers at least the potential movement path of the coupling element in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. If the coupling sleeve is arranged on the output side of the universal joint shaft, the universal joint shaft carries the centering element. Conversely, if the coupling counterpart on the working shaft is designed as a coupling sleeve, this carries the centering element.
  • the coupling pin Due to the dimension of the sliding surface according to the invention, the coupling pin always hits the sliding surface of the centering element during an axial coupling movement of the output side of the cardan shaft if the positions of the coupling element and the coupling counterpart or the coupling pin and the coupling sleeve do not correspond anyway, for example when the vertical position of the output shaft has been changed.
  • the coupling pin and the coupling sleeve can then be engaged, as the coupling pin slides along the sliding surface until it reaches the correct position for engagement with the coupling sleeve.
  • the method according to the invention is preferably carried out, according to which the coupling element on the output side of the universal joint shaft is brought to an end stop of the axis of movement directed orthogonally to the axial direction and is then moved axially towards the coupling counterpart until the sliding surface of the centering element strikes the coupling pin, i.e. either the coupling element or the coupling counterpart.
  • the coupling element is then moved orthogonally to the axial direction until the coupling element and the coupling counterpart are aligned.
  • the movement device is provided with pneumatic drives, in particular pneumatic piston-cylinder units.
  • pneumatic drives offer the great advantage that they have resilient properties.
  • no stop detection for the axial movement needs to be present in order to carry out the method according to the invention, but the axial coupling movement can also be carried out if the coupling pin does not engage in the coupling sleeve, but strikes the sliding surface of the centering element.
  • the coupling pin is then under elastic prestress relative to the centering element due to the resilient properties of the pneumatic drive and then automatically engages in the coupling sleeve as soon as it has reached the correct position.
  • the movement device for the coupling element can be operated manually if necessary. Even if fully automatic coupling is possible, as is ensured by the present invention, it can be advantageous to carry out the axial and in particular the vertical movement of the coupling element manually and "by sight", in particular when setting up a profiling machine or for test purposes.
  • pneumatic drives are also advantageous because when coupling with coupling sleeves, there is no guarantee that these are in a rotational angle position in which they can engage in a positive-locking manner in the direction of rotation. If the coupling pins and coupling sleeves meet when coupling in a rotational angle position in which they cannot engage with each other, this leads to a disruption in the coupling process. Due to the elastic spring force generated by the pneumatic drive, either the coupling pin or the coupling sleeve are spring-loaded and axially flexible, so that they can give way axially when they meet in a direction of rotation without causing a disruption in the coupling process.
  • the coupling pins cannot be released from the coupling sleeves because they are braced against each other in the direction of rotation. This can be the case in particular when forming stations in which a strip or profile is located are to be uncoupled from the drive system.
  • the pneumatic drive and its spring-elastic properties prevent parts of the coupling device from being overloaded.
  • the pneumatic drive only applies a spring preload to the coupling element on the output side of the cardan shaft, so that it only moves when the coupling pin and the coupling sleeve separate from each other, for example by briefly reversing the drive system or by a manually applied shock.
  • the cardan shafts and the holder of the coupling device according to the invention are preferably detachably attached to the drive system. This allows the holder and the cardan shafts to be easily removed in order to create space for other applications without having to move the drive system.
  • the profiling machine according to the invention is characterized in that it has a coupling device according to the invention.
  • the Figures 1 and 2 show in a schematic cross section or in an isometric view the same part of a profiling machine designed according to the invention. It is a forming station consisting of a frame 1 and an upper working shaft 2 and a lower working shaft 3, which are mounted in the frame 1.
  • the working shafts 2, 3 serve to accommodate roll forming tools (not shown).
  • the frame 1 is fixed to a machine frame 4. By means of a height adjustment 5, the working shafts 2, 3 can be moved vertically in the frame 1 in order to be able to equip them with different roll forming tools.
  • the working shafts 2, 3 are provided with coupling counterparts 6 which lead out laterally from the frame 1 and which are designed in the present case as coupling pins 7 with a multi-spline.
  • a gear block 8 of a drive system 9 is arranged in the front extension of the working shafts 2, 3.
  • An upper universal joint shaft 10 and a lower universal joint shaft 11 are located on this gear block 8 in order to transmit a torque from the drive system 9 or from the gear block 8 to the upper and lower working shafts 2, 3.
  • the universal joint shafts 10, 11 are telescopically variable in length and can naturally transmit a torque from a drive side 12 to an output side 13 regardless of their length and angular position.
  • the universal joint shafts 10, 11 are each provided with a coupling element 14, which in this case is designed as a coupling sleeve 15.
  • the coupling elements 14 of the cardan shafts 10, 11 are each attached to a vertical slide 16, which in turn sits on a horizontal slide 17 (hidden here, in Figure 3 shown).
  • the horizontal slide 17 is attached to a bracket 18, which in turn is detachably attached to the drive system 9 or the gear block 8.
  • the vertical slide 16 can be moved up and down by means of a vertical drive 19, while the horizontal slide 17 can be moved up and down by means of a horizontal drive 20 ( Figure 3 ) can be moved axially, i.e. towards and away from the working shafts 2, 3.
  • Both drives, the vertical drive 19 and the horizontal drive 20, are pneumatic piston-cylinder units. They ensure that the coupling elements 14 on the output side 13 of the universal joint shafts 10, 11 can be moved both axially and vertically, i.e. orthogonally to the axial direction.
  • the cardan shafts 10, 11 carry on their output side 13 not only coupling elements 14, in this case designed as coupling sleeves 15, but also centering elements 21, each with a sliding surface 22, which in this case is essentially flat.
  • the centering element 21 of the upper cardan shaft 10 has a vertically particularly long Sliding surface 22, since the upper working shaft 2 in the present embodiment has a larger vertical displacement range than the lower working shaft 3.
  • the lower working shaft 3, on the other hand, is hardly moved vertically.
  • FIG. 1 is part of the Figures 1 and 2
  • the movement device for the vertical and axial movement can be better recognized in the device shown in FIG.
  • An upper universal joint shaft 10 and an adjacent upper universal joint shaft 10' are attached to a vertical slide 16 on their output side 13, on which the coupling element 14 and the centering element 21 are located.
  • the associated vertical drive 19, a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit, is only indicated here.
  • the vertical slide 16 sits, vertically movable, on a horizontal slide 17, which is held movable in the vertical or axial direction relative to the holder on which it is mounted by means of a horizontal drive 20, also a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit.
  • the drive side 12 of the universal joint shaft 10 is (not visible in this figure) fixedly connected to the gear block 8 and via this fixedly connected to the bracket 18, while the output side 13 of the universal joint shaft 10 together with the coupling element 14 and the centering element 21 can be moved both horizontally or axially and vertically relative to the bracket 18.
  • the coupling element 14 can be coupled to and uncoupled from the coupling counterpart 6 of the upper working shaft 2 (not shown here). This is possible independently for each universal joint shaft 10, 10', 11.
  • bracket 18 can be attached to or removed from the gear block 8 in a straightforward manner. By removing the bracket 18, the movement devices and the cardan shafts 10, 10' are also eliminated, so that corresponding installation space is freed up between the frame 1 and the gear block 8.
  • the Figures 1 and 2 represent a situation before a coupling process.
  • the horizontal drive 20 of the lower universal joint shaft 11 is activated so that the coupling element 14 moves axially towards the coupling counterpart 6 on the lower working shaft 3 by the horizontal slide 17 horizontally displacing the output side 13 of the universal joint shaft 11.
  • the coupling counterpart 6 on the lower working shaft 3, designed as a coupling pin 7, engages with the coupling element 14 designed as a coupling sleeve through this axial movement and thereby forms a positive connection with respect to a rotational movement.
  • the coupling process of the lower working shaft 3 is thus completed.
  • an axial movement or horizontal movement of the output side 13 of the upper universal joint shaft 10 is not sufficient. Rather, the coupling element 14 on the output side 13 of the upper universal joint shaft 10 must be moved vertically downwards in order to be able to bring the coupling sleeve 15 into engagement with the coupling pin 7 of the upper working shaft 2.
  • the horizontal drive 20 of the horizontal slide 17 is a pneumatic drive and the output side 13 of the universal joint shaft 10 is provided with the centering element 21, there is no need for the universal joint shaft 10 to be vertically aligned in advance to the working shaft 2. Instead, the axial or horizontal movement of the horizontal slide 20 can be carried out for a normal coupling process.
  • the sliding surface 22 of the centering element 21 then strikes the coupling pin 7 on the front side. Due to the elastic spring properties of the pneumatic horizontal drive 20, the output side 13 of the universal joint shaft 10 does not move any further horizontally, but is only elastically preloaded in the axial direction.
  • the sliding surface 22 of the centering element 21 is dimensioned so large that, regardless of the current possible positions of the working shaft 2 and the coupling element 14, the centering element 21 always hits the coupling pin 7, unless the coupling sleeve 15 and the coupling pin 7 are aligned from the outset. This enables fully automatic coupling without having to pay attention to the vertical positions of the universal joint shafts 10, 11 and the working shafts 2, 3.
  • the lower working shaft 3 can also be adjusted vertically and thus the lower universal joint shaft 11 is also moved vertically for coupling on its output side 13.
  • the output side 13 of the lower universal joint shaft 11 is also provided with a centering element 21 with a sliding surface 22, which is adapted to the maximum vertical movement path of the lower working shaft 3.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Agricultural Machines (AREA)
  • Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Kuppelvorrichtung für eine Profiliermaschine zum Anund Abkuppeln eines Antriebssystems nach den Oberbegriffen der Ansprüche 1 und 2, eine Profiliermaschine nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 7 sowie ein Verfahren zum Ankuppeln eines Antriebssystems.The invention relates to a coupling device for a profiling machine for coupling and uncoupling a drive system according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2, a profiling machine according to the preamble of claim 7 and a method for coupling a drive system.

Eine Profiliermaschine der vorliegenden Art umfasst eine Mehrzahl von Rollumformwerkzeugen, die zum sukzessiven Längsumformen eines Metallbands oder Ausgangsprofils in ein Profil oder Rohr dienen. Zumindest ein Teil dieser Rollumformwerkzeuge ist zu mehreren Werkzeuggruppen zusammengefasst, die in Arbeitsrichtung hintereinander angeordnet und jeweils in einem Gerüst gehalten sind. Die Gerüste mit den Werkzeuggruppen bilden Umformstationen, die vom Metallband oder Ausgangsprofil sukzessive durchlaufen werden.A profiling machine of the present type comprises a plurality of roll forming tools which are used for the successive longitudinal forming of a metal strip or initial profile into a profile or tube. At least some of these roll forming tools are combined into several tool groups which are arranged one behind the other in the working direction and are each held in a frame. The frames with the tool groups form forming stations which the metal strip or initial profile passes through successively.

Zumindest ein Teil der in einer Umformstation angeordneten Rollumformwerkzeuge sitzt auf Arbeitswellen, die im Gerüst gelagert sind und seitlich aus dem Gerüst herausführende Kupplungsgegenstücke aufweisen. An diese Kupplungsgegenstücke wird ein Antriebssystem angekuppelt, um ein Drehmoment auf die Arbeitswellen aufzubringen und die entsprechenden Rollumformwerkzeuge anzutreiben.At least some of the roll forming tools arranged in a forming station are located on working shafts that are mounted in the frame and have coupling counterparts that extend out of the frame at the side. A drive system is coupled to these coupling counterparts in order to apply a torque to the working shafts and drive the corresponding roll forming tools.

Profiliermaschinen sind in der Lage, aus einem Metallband oder einem Ausgangsprofil quasi endlos Profile oder Rohre unterschiedlichster Querschnittsformen zu fertigen. Je nach Profilform kommen hierfür eine Vielzahl von Rollumformwerkzeugen zum Einsatz, die in typischerweise 20 bis 30 in Linie hintereinander angeordneten Umformstationen gruppenweise zusammengefasst sind. Wenn auf ein und derselben Profiliermaschine nun eine andere Profilform produziert werden soll, muss dementsprechend eine Vielzahl von Rollumformwerkzeugen ausgewechselt werden. Um hierfür nicht die Gerüste der einzelnen Umformstationen in der Maschine demontieren zu müssen, ist bei einer Profiliermaschine, wie sie aus der EP 0 365 976 B1 bekannt ist, zwischen den Umformstationen und dem Antriebssystem jeweils ein Kupplungsständer vorgesehen, der die Arbeitswellen ein- und auskuppeln kann, so dass die Rollformwerkzeuge mitsamt ihren Arbeitswellen als Baueinheit ausgetauscht werden können, und zwar ohne das Gerüst gegenüber dem Maschinenuntergestell oder gegenüber einer Gerüst-Trägerplatte verschieben zu müssen. Ein Austausch der Rollformwerkzeuge ohne anschließende langwierige Justierarbeiten, insbesondere in zu den Arbeitswellen achsparalleler Richtung, ist durch das vorherige Abkuppeln des Antriebssystems möglich. Dies spart Zeit beim Umrüsten einer Profiliermaschine auf eine andere Profilform und vermindert damit nachteilige Produktionsstillstände.Profiling machines are able to produce virtually endless profiles or tubes with a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes from a metal strip or a starting profile. Depending on the profile shape, a large number of roll forming tools are used for this, which are grouped together in typically 20 to 30 forming stations arranged in a line one behind the other. If a different profile shape is now produced on one and the same profiling machine, To avoid having to dismantle the frames of the individual forming stations in the machine, a profiling machine such as the one from the EP 0 365 976 B1 As is known, a coupling stand is provided between the forming stations and the drive system, which can couple and uncouple the working shafts so that the roll forming tools together with their working shafts can be exchanged as a structural unit without having to move the frame relative to the machine base or relative to a frame support plate. The roll forming tools can be exchanged without subsequent lengthy adjustment work, particularly in a direction parallel to the axis of the working shafts, by first uncoupling the drive system. This saves time when converting a profiling machine to a different profile shape and thus reduces disadvantageous production downtimes.

Bei der aus der EP 0 365 976 B1 bekannten Profiliermaschine sind neben den Gerüsten mit den Werkzeuggruppen Kupplungsständer vorgesehen, die einerseits an die aus den Gerüsten herausführenden Kupplungsgegenstücke der Arbeitswellen angekuppelt werden und andererseits Anschlüsse für das Antriebssystem der Profiliermaschine aufweisen. Hierbei werden üblicherweise Gelenkwellen verwendet, die das Drehmoment vom Antriebssystem auf die Anschlüsse des Kupplungsständers übertragen, wo es an die angekuppelten Arbeitswellen weitergegeben wird.In the EP 0 365 976 B1 In addition to the stands with the tool groups, coupling stands are provided on the known profiling machines, which are coupled on the one hand to the coupling counterparts of the working shafts leading out of the stands and on the other hand have connections for the drive system of the profiling machine. Here, cardan shafts are usually used, which transfer the torque from the drive system to the connections of the coupling stand, where it is passed on to the coupled working shafts.

Um bei solchen Profiliermaschinen die Arbeitswellen der Umformstationen vom Antriebssystem abkuppeln oder an dieses ankuppeln zu können, ist es aus diesem Stand der Technik bekannt, dass die Kupplungsständer zu den Gerüsten hin oder von diesen weg bewegbar ausgebildet werden, so dass die Kupplungsgegenstücke der Arbeitswellen und Kupplungselemente am Kupplungsständer wahlweise in Eingriff kommen oder aus ihrem Eingriff herausgenommen werden. Normalerweise ist hierzu eine axiale Verschiebung nötig. Zwischen dem Antriebssystem der Profiliermaschine und den Kupplungsständern erfolgt die Drehmomentübertragung daher üblicherweise mittels längenveränderlicher Gelenkwellen.In order to be able to uncouple or couple the working shafts of the forming stations from the drive system in such profiling machines, it is known from this state of the art that the coupling stands are designed to be movable towards or away from the stands, so that the coupling counterparts of the working shafts and coupling elements on the coupling stand can be selectively engaged or disengaged. Normally, an axial displacement is necessary for this. The coupling takes place between the drive system of the profiling machine and the coupling stands. Torque transmission is therefore usually carried out using variable-length cardan shafts.

Um die in der EP 0 365 976 B1 gestellte Aufgabe zu lösen, Rollumformwerkzeug-Paare in den Umformstationen schnell und vollautomatisch auswechseln zu können, so dass die Stillstandzeit der Profiliermaschine auf ein Minimum begrenzt wird und dennoch nacheinander Profile unterschiedlichster Querschnitte hergestellt werden können, wurde dort vorgeschlagen, seitlich bewegbare Kupplungsständer gemeinsam von den Umformrollen weg zu verschieben, um die Arbeitswellen freizugeben. Nach dem Auswechseln derselben werden die Kupplungsständer wieder bis fast an ihre eingekuppelte Ausgangsstellung an die Umformstationen herangefahren und die gegebenenfalls veränderte Einbauhöhe der Arbeitswellen ermittelt. Sodann werden die Kupplungsstücke auf den Kupplungsständern vertikal verfahren, um deren Höhe auf die Höhe der jeweiligen Arbeitswelle anzupassen. Danach werden die Kupplungsständer weiter gemeinsam an die Umformstationen herangefahren, um die Kupplungselemente in Eingriff zu bringen, wodurch der Ankuppelvorgang beendet wird. Hierbei wird entweder ein Getriebeblock des Antriebssystems mit den Kupplungsständern mitbewegt, oder der sich verändernde Abstand zwischen den Kupplungsständern und dem Antriebssystem wird von längenveränderlichen Gelenkwellen ausgeglichen.To the EP 0 365 976 B1 In order to solve the problem of being able to exchange pairs of roll forming tools in the forming stations quickly and fully automatically, so that the downtime of the profiling machine is kept to a minimum and profiles of very different cross-sections can still be produced one after the other, it was proposed that laterally movable coupling stands be moved together away from the forming rollers in order to release the working shafts. After these have been exchanged, the coupling stands are moved back to the forming stations almost to their coupled starting position and the possibly changed installation height of the working shafts is determined. The coupling pieces are then moved vertically on the coupling stands in order to adjust their height to the height of the respective working shaft. The coupling stands are then moved further together towards the forming stations in order to bring the coupling elements into engagement, which ends the coupling process. In this case, either a gear block of the drive system is moved along with the coupling stands, or the changing distance between the coupling stands and the drive system is compensated for by length-adjustable cardan shafts.

Insbesondere in Erprobungsphasen einer Profiliermaschine ist es nun oft wünschenswert, einzelne Umformstationen antriebslos zu stellen, was im Stand der Technik allerdings nur dadurch erzielt werden kann, dass die Kupplungsstücke in den entsprechenden Kupplungsständern durch Leerhülsen ersetzt werden, die kein Drehmoment auf die Arbeitswellen übertragen.Particularly in the test phases of a profiling machine, it is often desirable to de-energize individual forming stations. However, in the current state of the art, this can only be achieved by replacing the coupling pieces in the corresponding coupling stands with empty sleeves that do not transmit any torque to the working shafts.

Zur Lösung dieses Problems ist in der EP 2 452 760 B1 , die eine Kuppelvorrichtung nach den Oberbegriffen der Ansprüche 1 und 2 und eine Profiliermaschine nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 7 offenbart, vorgeschlagen worden, die Kupplungsständer in jeweils mindestens zwei Kupplungsabschnitte aufzuteilen, die unabhängig voneinander bewegt werden können. Der eigentliche Kupplungsständer besteht dann nur noch aus einem Tragelement, das neben dem zugeordneten Gerüst ortsfest angeordnet ist, und an dem die Kupplungsabschnitte separat bewegbar gehalten sind.To solve this problem, the EP 2 452 760 B1 , which discloses a coupling device according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2 and a profiling machine according to the preamble of claim 7, it has been proposed to divide the coupling stands into at least two coupling sections each, which can be moved independently of one another. The actual coupling stand then only consists of a supporting element which is arranged in a fixed position next to the associated scaffolding and on which the coupling sections are held separately movable.

Ausgehend von diesem Stand der Technik liegt der vorliegenden Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Profiliermaschine und insbesondere deren Kuppelvorrichtung hinsichtlich ihrer Flexibilität weiter zu verbessern und insbesondere ein Nachrüsten der Kuppelvorrichtung an Profiliermaschinen zu vereinfachen.Based on this prior art, the present invention is based on the object of further improving a profiling machine and in particular its coupling device with regard to its flexibility and in particular of simplifying retrofitting the coupling device on profiling machines.

Gelöst ist diese Aufgabe durch eine Kuppelvorrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 oder mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 2, durch eine Profiliermaschine mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 7 sowie durch ein Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 8. Bevorzugte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Ansprüchen 3 bis 6 niedergelegt.This object is achieved by a coupling device with the features of claim 1 or with the features of claim 2, by a profiling machine with the features of claim 7 and by a method with the features of claim 8. Preferred developments of the invention are set out in claims 3 to 6.

Eine erfindungsgemäße Kuppelvorrichtung für eine Profiliermaschine, die eine Mehrzahl von auf Arbeitswellen angeordneten Rollumformwerkzeugen zum sukzessiven Längsumformen eines Metallbands oder Ausgangsprofils in ein Profil oder Rohr aufweist und die zum An- und Abkuppeln eines Antriebssystems an und von zumindest einem Teil der Arbeitswellen dient, enthält, wie an sich bekannt, mindestens eine längenveränderliche Gelenkwelle zum Übertragen eines Drehmoments vom Antriebssystem an eine Arbeitswelle, wobei die Gelenkwelle auf einer Antriebsseite mit dem Antriebssystem torsionssteif verbunden und auf einer Abtriebsseite mit einem Kupplungselement versehen ist.A coupling device according to the invention for a profiling machine, which has a plurality of roll forming tools arranged on working shafts for the successive longitudinal forming of a metal strip or initial profile into a profile or tube and which serves for coupling and uncoupling a drive system to and from at least some of the working shafts, contains, as is known per se, at least one variable-length universal joint shaft for transmitting a torque from the drive system to a working shaft, wherein the universal joint shaft is torsionally rigidly connected to the drive system on a drive side and is provided with a coupling element on an output side.

Die Kuppelvorrichtung enthält jedoch keinen Kupplungsständer mehr, der jeweils einem Gerüst fest zugeordnet ist. Vielmehr kann das Kupplungselement an der Antriebsseite der Gelenkwelle mittels einer im Wesentlichen axialen Bewegung direkt mit einem Kupplungsgegenstück an der Arbeitswelle in Eingriff gebracht oder aus diesem Eingriff herausgenommen werden. Die axiale Bewegung versteht sich hierbei bezüglich der Achse der jeweiligen Arbeitswelle, an die das Kupplungselement der Gelenkwelle angekuppelt wird.However, the coupling device no longer contains a coupling stand that is permanently assigned to a frame. Instead, the coupling element on the drive side of the universal joint shaft can be brought into engagement with or disengaged from a coupling counterpart on the working shaft by means of a substantially axial movement. The axial movement is understood to be relative to the axis of the respective working shaft to which the coupling element of the universal joint shaft is coupled.

Für das An- und Abkuppeln des Kupplungselements, das an der Abtriebsseite der Gelenkwelle sitzt, ist die Kuppelvorrichtung mit einer Halterung versehen, die dem Antriebssystem zugeordnet und an diesem direkt oder indirekt befestigt ist. Diese Halterung ist mit einer Bewegungsvorrichtung zum axialen Bewegen des Kupplungselements versehen, wobei das Kupplungselement direkt oder indirekt an dieser Bewegungsvorrichtung angebracht ist.For coupling and uncoupling the coupling element, which is located on the output side of the cardan shaft, the coupling device is provided with a bracket which is associated with the drive system and is attached to it directly or indirectly. This bracket is provided with a movement device for axially moving the coupling element, wherein the coupling element is attached directly or indirectly to this movement device.

Dadurch, dass die Halterung mit der Bewegungsvorrichtung, die für die An- und Abkuppelbewegung des Kupplungselements der Gelenkwelle an das und vom Kupplungsgegenstück der Arbeitswelle sorgt, dem Antriebssystem zugeordnet ist, kann nicht nur der herkömmliche Kupplungsständer entfallen, was bereits eine konstruktive Vereinfachung der Kuppelvorrichtung mit sich bringt. Die erfindungsgemäße Lösung ermöglicht es vielmehr auch, Gelenkwellen einzeln an Arbeitswellen anzukuppeln oder von diesen abzukuppeln. Dies ist zwar nach dem Stand der Technik gemäß der EP 2 452 760 B1 ebenfalls möglich, jedoch kann eine erfindungsgemäße Kuppelvorrichtung problemlos auch bei solchen Profiliermaschinen nachgerüstet werden, die herkömmliche, einteilige Kupplungsständer oder gar keine Kupplungsständer aufweisen.Because the holder with the movement device, which ensures the coupling and uncoupling movement of the coupling element of the cardan shaft to and from the coupling counterpart of the working shaft, is assigned to the drive system, not only can the conventional coupling stand be dispensed with, which already brings with it a structural simplification of the coupling device. The solution according to the invention also makes it possible to individually couple cardan shafts to or uncouple them from working shafts. This is indeed possible according to the state of the art according to the EP 2 452 760 B1 also possible, however, a coupling device according to the invention can also be easily retrofitted to profiling machines which have conventional, one-piece coupling stands or no coupling stands at all.

Als weiterer Vorteil der erfindungsgemäßen Lösung, die ohne Kupplungsständer auskommt, kann die Kuppelvorrichtung beispielsweise an einem Gerüst bzw. einer Umformstation mit wenigen Handgriffen entfernt werden, um Bauraum für weitere Applikationen wie zum Beispiel multifunktionale Wechseleinheiten zu gewinnen.As a further advantage of the solution according to the invention, which does not require a coupling stand, the coupling device can be removed in a few simple steps, for example on a scaffold or a forming station, in order to gain installation space for further applications such as multifunctional exchange units.

Das Kupplungsgegenstück an der Arbeitswelle und das Kupplungselement an der Abtriebsseite der Gelenkwelle, die torsionssteif aneinander angekuppelt werden sollen, sind einerseits als Kupplungszapfen und andererseits als Kupplungshülse ausgebildet, die mittels einer Axialbewegung formschlüssig aufeinander steckbar sind, beispielsweise indem der Kupplungszapfen als Vielkeil ausgebildet ist, der von der Kupplungshülse formschlüssig aufgenommen wird.The coupling counterpart on the working shaft and the coupling element on the output side of the universal joint shaft, which are to be coupled to one another in a torsionally rigid manner, are designed on the one hand as a coupling pin and on the other hand as a coupling sleeve, which can be plugged onto one another in a form-fitting manner by means of an axial movement, for example by the coupling pin being designed as a multi-wedge which is received in a form-fitting manner by the coupling sleeve.

Im Betrieb einer Profiliermaschine ist es nicht unüblich, zwischen einem Abkuppeln des Antriebssystems von einer Umformstation und einem Wiederankuppeln die vertikale Position der anzukuppelnden Arbeitswellen zu verändern. Dies ist insbesondere dann der Fall, wenn die Rollumformwerkzeuge ausgewechselt worden sind, oder wenn ein anderes Material profiliert wird. Auch Einricht- und Nachjustierarbeiten führen zu veränderten vertikalen Positionen der Arbeitswellen.When operating a profiling machine, it is not unusual to change the vertical position of the working shafts to be coupled between uncoupling the drive system from a forming station and re-coupling it. This is particularly the case when the roll forming tools have been replaced or when a different material is being profiled. Setup and readjustment work also lead to changes in the vertical positions of the working shafts.

Um nun die erfindungsgemäße Kuppelvorrichtung an Arbeitswellen ankuppeln zu können, deren vertikale Position verändert worden ist, ist die Bewegungsvorrichtung zum axialen Bewegen des Kupplungselements erfindungsgemäß auch für ein Bewegen des Kupplungselements in mindestens einer zur axialen Richtung orthogonalen Richtung vorgesehen, insbesondere also in vertikaler Richtung.In order to be able to couple the coupling device according to the invention to working shafts whose vertical position has been changed, the movement device for axially moving the coupling element is also provided according to the invention for moving the coupling element in at least one direction orthogonal to the axial direction, in particular in the vertical direction.

Die Bewegungsvorrichtung der erfindungsgemäßen Kuppelvorrichtung weist bevorzugt zumindest einen Horizontalschlitten und einen Vertikalschlitten auf, um axiale bzw. horizontale Bewegungen und vertikale Bewegungen durchführen zu können.The movement device of the coupling device according to the invention preferably has at least one horizontal slide and one vertical slide in order to be able to carry out axial or horizontal movements and vertical movements.

Erfindungsgemäß wird die Kupplungshülse mit einem Zentrierelement versehen, das eine Gleitfläche aufweist, welche zumindest den potentiellen Bewegungsweg des Kupplungselements in der zur axialen Richtung orthogonalen Richtung überdeckt. Wenn die Kupplungshülse an der Abtriebsseite der Gelenkwelle angeordnet ist, trägt die Gelenkwelle das Zentrierelement. Wenn umgekehrt das Kupplungsgegenstück an der Arbeitswelle als Kupplungshülse ausgebildet ist, trägt dieses das Zentrierelement.According to the invention, the coupling sleeve is provided with a centering element which has a sliding surface which covers at least the potential movement path of the coupling element in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. If the coupling sleeve is arranged on the output side of the universal joint shaft, the universal joint shaft carries the centering element. Conversely, if the coupling counterpart on the working shaft is designed as a coupling sleeve, this carries the centering element.

Aufgrund der erfindungsgemäßen Abmessung der Gleitfläche trifft der Kupplungszapfen bei einer axialen Ankuppelbewegung der Abtriebsseite der Gelenkwelle immer auf die Gleitfläche des Zentrierelements auf, wenn sich die Positionen des Kupplungselements und des Kupplungsgegenstücks bzw. des Kupplungszapfens und der Kupplungshülse nicht ohnehin entsprechen, also beispielsweise dann, wenn die vertikale Position der Arbeitswelle verändert worden ist. Durch einfaches Bewegen des Kupplungselements an der Abtriebsseite der Gelenkwelle in der zur axialen Richtung orthogonalen Richtung können der Kupplungszapfen und die Kupplungshülse dann in Eingriff gebracht werden, da der Kupplungszapfen entlang der Gleitfläche gleitet, bis er in die richtige Position für einen Eingriff in die Kupplungshülse gelangt.Due to the dimension of the sliding surface according to the invention, the coupling pin always hits the sliding surface of the centering element during an axial coupling movement of the output side of the cardan shaft if the positions of the coupling element and the coupling counterpart or the coupling pin and the coupling sleeve do not correspond anyway, for example when the vertical position of the output shaft has been changed. By simply moving the coupling element on the output side of the cardan shaft in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction, the coupling pin and the coupling sleeve can then be engaged, as the coupling pin slides along the sliding surface until it reaches the correct position for engagement with the coupling sleeve.

Hierzu wird bevorzugt das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren durchgeführt, wonach das Kupplungselement an der Abtriebsseite der Gelenkwelle an einen Endanschlag der orthogonal zur axialen Richtung gerichteten Bewegungsachse gebracht und dann axial an das Kupplungsgegenstück herangefahren wird, bis die Gleitfläche des Zentrierelements an den Kupplungszapfen, also entweder das Kupplungselement oder das Kupplungsgegenstück, anschlägt. Sodann wird das Kupplungselement so lange orthogonal zur axialen Richtung bewegt, bis das Kupplungselement und das Kupplungsgegenstück fluchten.For this purpose, the method according to the invention is preferably carried out, according to which the coupling element on the output side of the universal joint shaft is brought to an end stop of the axis of movement directed orthogonally to the axial direction and is then moved axially towards the coupling counterpart until the sliding surface of the centering element strikes the coupling pin, i.e. either the coupling element or the coupling counterpart. The coupling element is then moved orthogonally to the axial direction until the coupling element and the coupling counterpart are aligned.

Es ist erfindungsgemäß besonders bevorzugt, wenn die Bewegungsvorrichtung mit pneumatischen Antrieben, insbesondere pneumatischen Kolben-Zylinder-Einheiten versehen ist. Pneumatische Antriebe bieten im vorliegenden Zusammenhang den großen Vorteil, dass sie federnde Eigenschaften haben. Insofern muss zum Durchführen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens also keine Anschlagserkennung für die axiale Bewegung vorhanden sein, sondern die axiale Ankuppelbewegung kann auch dann durchgeführt werden, wenn der Kupplungszapfen nicht in die Kupplungshülse eingreift, sondern an der Gleitfläche des Zentrierelements anschlägt. Der Kupplungszapfen steht dann aufgrund der federnden Eigenschaften des pneumatischen Antriebs relativ zum Zentrierelement unter elastischer Vorspannung und greift dann automatisch in die Kupplungshülse ein, sobald er die richtige Position erreicht hat.According to the invention, it is particularly preferred if the movement device is provided with pneumatic drives, in particular pneumatic piston-cylinder units. In the present context, pneumatic drives offer the great advantage that they have resilient properties. In this respect, no stop detection for the axial movement needs to be present in order to carry out the method according to the invention, but the axial coupling movement can also be carried out if the coupling pin does not engage in the coupling sleeve, but strikes the sliding surface of the centering element. The coupling pin is then under elastic prestress relative to the centering element due to the resilient properties of the pneumatic drive and then automatically engages in the coupling sleeve as soon as it has reached the correct position.

In Ergänzung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens kann es vorgesehen sein, dass die Bewegungsvorrichtung für das Kupplungselement bedarfsweise handbetätigbar ist. Denn auch dann, wenn ein vollautomatisches Ankuppeln möglich ist, wie dies die vorliegende Erfindung gewährleistet, kann es vorteilhaft sein, die axiale und insbesondere die vertikale Bewegung des Kupplungselements von Hand und "auf Sicht" durchzuführen, insbesondere beim Einrichten einer Profiliermaschine oder zu Versuchszwecken.In addition to the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the movement device for the coupling element can be operated manually if necessary. Even if fully automatic coupling is possible, as is ensured by the present invention, it can be advantageous to carry out the axial and in particular the vertical movement of the coupling element manually and "by sight", in particular when setting up a profiling machine or for test purposes.

Die Verwendung von pneumatischen Antrieben ist schließlich auch deswegen vorteilhaft, weil beim Ankuppeln mit Kupplungshülsen nicht gewährleistet ist, dass sich diese in einer Rotationswinkelstellung befinden, in der sie in einen in Rotationsrichtung formschlüssigen Eingriff gelangen können. Denn wenn die Kupplungszapfen und Kupplungshülsen beim Ankuppeln in einer Rotationswinkelstellung aufeinander treffen, in der sie nicht ineinandergreifen können, führt dies zu einer Störung im Ankuppelvorgang. Aufgrund der durch den pneumatischen Antrieb erzeugten elastischen Federkraft sind entweder der Kupplungszapfen oder die Kupplungshülse federbelastet axial nachgiebig, so dass sie bei einem in Rotationsrichtung versetzten Aufeinandertreffen axial nachgeben können, ohne eine Störung des Einkuppelvorgangs zu verursachen. Beim Anlaufen des Antriebssystems oder durch ein kurzes Betätigen desselben verändern sich die Rotationswinkelstellungen der Kupplungszapfen und Kupplungshülsen zueinander, so dass in demjenigen Zeitpunkt, in dem ein Formschluss möglich ist, die Federkraft des federbelasteten Elements für ein Einrücken desselben in den Formschluss sorgt.The use of pneumatic drives is also advantageous because when coupling with coupling sleeves, there is no guarantee that these are in a rotational angle position in which they can engage in a positive-locking manner in the direction of rotation. If the coupling pins and coupling sleeves meet when coupling in a rotational angle position in which they cannot engage with each other, this leads to a disruption in the coupling process. Due to the elastic spring force generated by the pneumatic drive, either the coupling pin or the coupling sleeve are spring-loaded and axially flexible, so that they can give way axially when they meet in a direction of rotation without causing a disruption in the coupling process. When the drive system starts up or is briefly operated, the rotational angle positions of the coupling pins and coupling sleeves change relative to one another, so that at the point in time at which a positive connection is possible, the spring force of the spring-loaded element ensures that it is engaged in the positive connection.

Auch beim Abkuppeln kommt es vor, dass die Kupplungszapfen nicht aus den Kupplungshülsen gelöst werden können, da sie in Rotationsrichtung gegeneinander verspannt sind. Dies kann insbesondere dann der Fall sein, wenn Umformstationen vom Antriebssystem abgekuppelt werden sollen, in denen sich ein Band oder Profil befindet. Hier verhindert der pneumatische Antrieb und dessen federelastische Eigenschaft, dass Teile der Kuppelvorrichtung überlastet werden. Denn auch in diesem Fall bringt der pneumatische Antrieb lediglich eine federnde Vorspannung auf das Kupplungselement an der Abtriebsseite der Gelenkwelle auf, so dass dieses sich erst dann bewegt, wenn sich der Kupplungszapfen und die Kupplungshülse voneinander lösen, beispielsweise durch kurzes Reversieren des Antriebssystems oder auch durch eine manuell aufgebrachte Erschütterung.When uncoupling, it can also happen that the coupling pins cannot be released from the coupling sleeves because they are braced against each other in the direction of rotation. This can be the case in particular when forming stations in which a strip or profile is located are to be uncoupled from the drive system. Here, the pneumatic drive and its spring-elastic properties prevent parts of the coupling device from being overloaded. In this case, too, the pneumatic drive only applies a spring preload to the coupling element on the output side of the cardan shaft, so that it only moves when the coupling pin and the coupling sleeve separate from each other, for example by briefly reversing the drive system or by a manually applied shock.

Die Gelenkwellen und die Halterung der erfindungsgemäßen Kuppelvorrichtung sind bevorzugt lösbar am Antriebssystem befestigt. Dies ermöglicht ein leichtes Entfernen der Halterung und der Gelenkwellen, um Bauraum für andere Applikationen zu schaffen, ohne das Antriebssystem bewegen zu müssen.The cardan shafts and the holder of the coupling device according to the invention are preferably detachably attached to the drive system. This allows the holder and the cardan shafts to be easily removed in order to create space for other applications without having to move the drive system.

Die erfindungsgemäße Profiliermaschine zeichnet sich schließlich dadurch aus, dass sie eine erfindungsgemäße Kuppelvorrichtung aufweist.Finally, the profiling machine according to the invention is characterized in that it has a coupling device according to the invention.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel für eine erfindungsgemäße Kuppelvorrichtung wird im Folgenden anhand der beigefügten Zeichnungen näher beschrieben und erläutert. Es zeigen:

Figur 1
eine schematische Darstellung eines Querschnitts einer Profiliermaschine mit Ansicht auf eine Umformstation;
Figur 2
eine isometrische Darstellung dieser und einer benachbarten Umformstation;
Figur 3
die erfindungsgemäß ausgestaltete Kuppelvorrichtung für die Umformstation aus Figur 1.
An embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:
Figure 1
a schematic representation of a cross-section of a profiling machine with a view of a forming station;
Figure 2
an isometric view of this and an adjacent forming station;
Figure 3
the coupling device designed according to the invention for the forming station from Figure 1 .

Die Figuren 1 und 2 zeigen in einem schematischen Querschnitt bzw. in einer isometrischen Ansicht denselben Teil einer erfindungsgemäß ausgestalteten Profiliermaschine. Es handelt sich um eine Umformstation, bestehend aus einem Gerüst 1 sowie einer oberen Arbeitswelle 2 und einer unteren Arbeitswelle 3, die im Gerüst 1 gelagert sind. Die Arbeitswellen 2, 3 dienen zur Aufnahme von Rollumformwerkzeugen (nicht dargestellt). Das Gerüst 1 ist ortsfest an einem Maschinengestell 4 befestigt. Mittels einer Höhenverstellung 5 können die Arbeitswellen 2, 3 im Gerüst 1 vertikal verschoben werden, um sie insbesondere mit unterschiedlichen Rollumformwerkzeugen bestücken zu können.The Figures 1 and 2 show in a schematic cross section or in an isometric view the same part of a profiling machine designed according to the invention. It is a forming station consisting of a frame 1 and an upper working shaft 2 and a lower working shaft 3, which are mounted in the frame 1. The working shafts 2, 3 serve to accommodate roll forming tools (not shown). The frame 1 is fixed to a machine frame 4. By means of a height adjustment 5, the working shafts 2, 3 can be moved vertically in the frame 1 in order to be able to equip them with different roll forming tools.

Stirnseitig sind die Arbeitswellen 2, 3 mit seitlich aus dem Gerüst 1 herausführenden Kupplungsgegenstücken 6 versehen, die vorliegend als Kupplungszapfen 7 mit Vielkeil ausgebildet sind.On the front side, the working shafts 2, 3 are provided with coupling counterparts 6 which lead out laterally from the frame 1 and which are designed in the present case as coupling pins 7 with a multi-spline.

In der stirnseitigen Verlängerung der Arbeitswellen 2, 3 ist ein Getriebeblock 8 eines Antriebssystems 9 angeordnet. Auf diesem Getriebeblock 8 sitzen eine obere Gelenkwelle 10 und eine untere Gelenkwelle 11, um ein Drehmoment vom Antriebssystem 9 bzw. vom Getriebeblock 8 auf die oberen und unteren Arbeitswellen 2, 3 zu übertragen. Die Gelenkwellen 10, 11 sind teleskopartig längenveränderlich und können naturgemäß unabhängig von ihrer Länge und Winkelstellung ein Drehmoment von einer Antriebsseite 12 auf eine Abtriebsseite 13 übertragen. An der Abtriebsseite 13 sind die Gelenkwellen 10, 11 mit jeweils einem Kupplungselement 14 versehen, das vorliegend als Kupplungshülse 15 ausgestaltet ist.A gear block 8 of a drive system 9 is arranged in the front extension of the working shafts 2, 3. An upper universal joint shaft 10 and a lower universal joint shaft 11 are located on this gear block 8 in order to transmit a torque from the drive system 9 or from the gear block 8 to the upper and lower working shafts 2, 3. The universal joint shafts 10, 11 are telescopically variable in length and can naturally transmit a torque from a drive side 12 to an output side 13 regardless of their length and angular position. On the output side 13, the universal joint shafts 10, 11 are each provided with a coupling element 14, which in this case is designed as a coupling sleeve 15.

Die Kupplungselemente 14 der Gelenkwellen 10, 11 sind jeweils an einem Vertikalschlitten 16 befestigt, der seinerseits auf einem Horizontalschlitten 17 sitzt (hier verdeckt, in Figur 3 dargestellt). Der Horizontalschlitten 17 ist an einer Halterung 18 angebracht, die ihrerseits am Antriebssystem 9 bzw. am Getriebeblock 8 lösbar befestigt ist. Der Vertikalschlitten 16 ist mittels eines Vertikalantriebs 19 auf und ab bewegbar, während der Horizontalschlitten 17 mittels eines Horizontalantriebs 20 (Figur 3) axial, also zu den Arbeitswellen 2, 3 hin und von diesen weg bewegbar ist. Beide Antriebe, der Vertikalantrieb 19 und der Horizontalantrieb 20, sind pneumatische Kolben-Zylinder-Einheiten. Sie sorgen dafür, dass die Kupplungselemente 14 an der Abtriebsseite 13 der Gelenkwellen 10, 11 sowohl axial als auch vertikal, also orthogonal zur axialen Richtung, bewegt werden können.The coupling elements 14 of the cardan shafts 10, 11 are each attached to a vertical slide 16, which in turn sits on a horizontal slide 17 (hidden here, in Figure 3 shown). The horizontal slide 17 is attached to a bracket 18, which in turn is detachably attached to the drive system 9 or the gear block 8. The vertical slide 16 can be moved up and down by means of a vertical drive 19, while the horizontal slide 17 can be moved up and down by means of a horizontal drive 20 ( Figure 3 ) can be moved axially, i.e. towards and away from the working shafts 2, 3. Both drives, the vertical drive 19 and the horizontal drive 20, are pneumatic piston-cylinder units. They ensure that the coupling elements 14 on the output side 13 of the universal joint shafts 10, 11 can be moved both axially and vertically, i.e. orthogonally to the axial direction.

Wie anhand Figur 2 besser zu erkennen ist, tragen die Gelenkwellen 10, 11 an ihrer Abtriebsseite 13 nicht nur Kupplungselemente 14, vorliegend als Kupplungshülsen 15 ausgebildet, sondern außerdem auch Zentrierelemente 21 mit jeweils einer Gleitfläche 22, die vorliegend im Wesentlichen eben ist. Das Zentrierelement 21 der oberen Gelenkwelle 10 weist eine vertikal besonders lange Gleitfläche 22 auf, da die obere Arbeitswelle 2 im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel gegenüber der unteren Arbeitswelle 3 einen größeren vertikalen Verschiebebereich besitzt. Die untere Arbeitswelle 3 wird hingegen kaum vertikal bewegt.As shown by Figure 2 As can be seen better, the cardan shafts 10, 11 carry on their output side 13 not only coupling elements 14, in this case designed as coupling sleeves 15, but also centering elements 21, each with a sliding surface 22, which in this case is essentially flat. The centering element 21 of the upper cardan shaft 10 has a vertically particularly long Sliding surface 22, since the upper working shaft 2 in the present embodiment has a larger vertical displacement range than the lower working shaft 3. The lower working shaft 3, on the other hand, is hardly moved vertically.

Anhand der Figur 3, die einen Teil der in den Figuren 1 und 2 gezeigten Vorrichtung darstellt, lässt sich die Bewegungsvorrichtung für die vertikale und die axiale Bewegung besser erkennen. Eine obere Gelenkwelle 10 und eine benachbarte obere Gelenkwelle 10' sind an ihrer Abtriebsseite 13, an der sich das Kupplungselement 14 und das Zentrierelement 21 befinden, an einem Vertikalschlitten 16 befestigt. Der zugehörige Vertikalantrieb 19, eine pneumatische Kolben-Zylinder-Einheit, ist hier nur angedeutet.Based on Figure 3 , which is part of the Figures 1 and 2 The movement device for the vertical and axial movement can be better recognized in the device shown in FIG. An upper universal joint shaft 10 and an adjacent upper universal joint shaft 10' are attached to a vertical slide 16 on their output side 13, on which the coupling element 14 and the centering element 21 are located. The associated vertical drive 19, a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit, is only indicated here.

Der Vertikalschlitten 16 sitzt, vertikal beweglich, auf einem Horizontalschlitten 17, der mittels eines Horizontalantriebs 20, ebenfalls einer pneumatischen Kolben-Zylinder-Einheit, in vertikaler bzw. axialer Richtung gegenüber der Halterung, auf der er gelagert ist, beweglich gehalten ist.The vertical slide 16 sits, vertically movable, on a horizontal slide 17, which is held movable in the vertical or axial direction relative to the holder on which it is mounted by means of a horizontal drive 20, also a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit.

Die Antriebsseite 12 der Gelenkwelle 10 ist (in dieser Figur nicht sichtbar) ortsfest mit dem Getriebeblock 8 und über diesen ortsfest mit der Halterung 18 verbunden, während die Abtriebsseite 13 der Gelenkwelle 10 mitsamt dem Kupplungselement 14 und dem Zentrierelement 21 sowohl horizontal bzw. axial als auch vertikal relativ zur Halterung 18 bewegt werden kann. Mittels der horizontalen bzw. axialen Bewegung kann das Kupplungselement 14 an das Kupplungsgegenstück 6 der (hier nicht dargestellten) oberen Arbeitswelle 2 angekuppelt und von dieser abgekuppelt werden. Dies ist für jede Gelenkwelle 10, 10', 11 unabhängig möglich.The drive side 12 of the universal joint shaft 10 is (not visible in this figure) fixedly connected to the gear block 8 and via this fixedly connected to the bracket 18, while the output side 13 of the universal joint shaft 10 together with the coupling element 14 and the centering element 21 can be moved both horizontally or axially and vertically relative to the bracket 18. By means of the horizontal or axial movement, the coupling element 14 can be coupled to and uncoupled from the coupling counterpart 6 of the upper working shaft 2 (not shown here). This is possible independently for each universal joint shaft 10, 10', 11.

Wie aus Figur 3 leicht erkennbar ist, kann die Halterung 18 auf unkomplizierte Weise am Getriebeblock 8 angebracht oder von diesem entfernt werden. Durch ein Entfernen der Halterung 18 werden auch die Bewegungsvorrichtungen sowie die Gelenkwellen 10, 10' beseitigt, so dass entsprechender Bauraum zwischen dem Gerüst 1 und dem Getriebeblock 8 frei wird.As from Figure 3 is easily recognizable, the bracket 18 can be attached to or removed from the gear block 8 in a straightforward manner. By removing the bracket 18, the movement devices and the cardan shafts 10, 10' are also eliminated, so that corresponding installation space is freed up between the frame 1 and the gear block 8.

Die Figuren 1 und 2 stellen eine Situation vor einem Einkuppelvorgang dar. Um die untere Arbeitswelle 3 an den Getriebeblock 8 anzukuppeln, wird der Horizontalantrieb 20 der unteren Gelenkwelle 11 aktiviert, so dass sich das Kupplungselement 14 axial auf das Kupplungsgegenstück 6 an der unteren Arbeitswelle 3 zubewegt, indem der Horizontalschlitten 17 die Abtriebsseite 13 der Gelenkwelle 11 horizontal verschiebt. Das als Kupplungszapfen 7 ausgebildete Kupplungsgegenstück 6 an der unteren Arbeitswelle 3 greift durch diese Axialbewegung in das als Kupplungshülse ausgebildete Kupplungselement 14 ein und bildet hierbei einen Formschluss bezüglich einer Rotationsbewegung. Der Ankuppelvorgang der unteren Arbeitswelle 3 ist damit beendet.The Figures 1 and 2 represent a situation before a coupling process. In order to couple the lower working shaft 3 to the gear block 8, the horizontal drive 20 of the lower universal joint shaft 11 is activated so that the coupling element 14 moves axially towards the coupling counterpart 6 on the lower working shaft 3 by the horizontal slide 17 horizontally displacing the output side 13 of the universal joint shaft 11. The coupling counterpart 6 on the lower working shaft 3, designed as a coupling pin 7, engages with the coupling element 14 designed as a coupling sleeve through this axial movement and thereby forms a positive connection with respect to a rotational movement. The coupling process of the lower working shaft 3 is thus completed.

Zum Ankuppeln der oberen Arbeitswelle 2 an den Getriebeblock 8 reicht eine Axialbewegung bzw. Horizontalbewegung der Abtriebsseite 13 der oberen Gelenkwelle 10 nicht aus. Vielmehr muss das Kupplungselement 14 an der Abtriebsseite 13 der oberen Gelenkwelle 10 vertikal nach unten verfahren werden, um die Kupplungshülse 15 mit dem Kupplungszapfen 7 der oberen Arbeitswelle 2 in Eingriff bringen zu können.To couple the upper working shaft 2 to the gear block 8, an axial movement or horizontal movement of the output side 13 of the upper universal joint shaft 10 is not sufficient. Rather, the coupling element 14 on the output side 13 of the upper universal joint shaft 10 must be moved vertically downwards in order to be able to bring the coupling sleeve 15 into engagement with the coupling pin 7 of the upper working shaft 2.

Da der Horizontalantrieb 20 des Horizontalschlittens 17 ein pneumatischer Antrieb ist, und die Abtriebsseite 13 der Gelenkwelle 10 mit dem Zentrierelement 21 versehen ist, erübrigt sich ein vorheriges vertikales Ausrichten der Gelenkwelle 10 zur Arbeitswelle 2. Vielmehr kann die axiale bzw. horizontale Bewegung des Horizontalschlittens 20 für einen normalen Ankuppelvorgang ausgeführt werden. Hierbei trifft dann die Gleitfläche 22 des Zentrierelements 21 stirnseitig auf den Kupplungszapfen 7 auf. Aufgrund der elastischen Federeigenschaften des pneumatischen Horizontalantriebs 20 bewegt sich die Abtriebsseite 13 der Gelenkwelle 10 nicht weiter horizontal, sondern wird lediglich in Axialrichtung elastisch vorgespannt.Since the horizontal drive 20 of the horizontal slide 17 is a pneumatic drive and the output side 13 of the universal joint shaft 10 is provided with the centering element 21, there is no need for the universal joint shaft 10 to be vertically aligned in advance to the working shaft 2. Instead, the axial or horizontal movement of the horizontal slide 20 can be carried out for a normal coupling process. The sliding surface 22 of the centering element 21 then strikes the coupling pin 7 on the front side. Due to the elastic spring properties of the pneumatic horizontal drive 20, the output side 13 of the universal joint shaft 10 does not move any further horizontally, but is only elastically preloaded in the axial direction.

Ein Aktivieren des Vertikalantriebs 19, mit dem der Vertikalschlitten 16 abwärtsbewegt wird, sorgt dann für eine Abwärtsbewegung des Kupplungselements 14, bis der Kupplungszapfen 7 und die Kupplungshülse 15 so weit miteinander fluchten, dass sie aufgrund der elastischen Vorspannung einrücken und ineinander gesteckt den Kraftfluss vom Getriebeblock 8 in die obere Arbeitswelle 2 sicherstellen.Activating the vertical drive 19, with which the vertical slide 16 is moved downwards, then ensures a downward movement of the coupling element 14 until the coupling pin 7 and the coupling sleeve 15 are sufficiently are aligned so that they engage due to the elastic preload and, when inserted into each other, ensure the flow of power from the gear block 8 into the upper working shaft 2.

Die Gleitfläche 22 des Zentrierelements 21 ist hierbei so groß bemessen, dass, unabhängig von den aktuellen möglichen Positionen der Arbeitswelle 2 und des Kupplungselements 14, immer das Zentrierelement 21 auf den Kupplungszapfen 7 trifft, soweit nicht die Kupplungshülse 15 und der Kupplungszapfen 7 von vornherein in Flucht angeordnet sind. Dies ermöglicht ein vollautomatisches Ankuppeln, ohne auf die vertikalen Positionen der Gelenkwellen 10, 11 und der Arbeitswellen 2, 3 achten zu müssen.The sliding surface 22 of the centering element 21 is dimensioned so large that, regardless of the current possible positions of the working shaft 2 and the coupling element 14, the centering element 21 always hits the coupling pin 7, unless the coupling sleeve 15 and the coupling pin 7 are aligned from the outset. This enables fully automatic coupling without having to pay attention to the vertical positions of the universal joint shafts 10, 11 and the working shafts 2, 3.

Abschließend sei angemerkt, dass, je nach Ausbildung des Gerüsts 1, auch die untere Arbeitswelle 3 vertikal verstellt werden kann und somit die untere Gelenkwelle 11 zum Einkuppeln an ihrer Abtriebsseite 13 ebenfalls vertikal bewegt wird. Hierzu ist die Abtriebsseite 13 der unteren Gelenkwelle 11 ebenfalls mit einem Zentrierelement 21 mit Gleitfläche 22 versehen, die dem maximalen vertikalen Bewegungsweg der unteren Arbeitswelle 3 angepasst ist.Finally, it should be noted that, depending on the design of the frame 1, the lower working shaft 3 can also be adjusted vertically and thus the lower universal joint shaft 11 is also moved vertically for coupling on its output side 13. For this purpose, the output side 13 of the lower universal joint shaft 11 is also provided with a centering element 21 with a sliding surface 22, which is adapted to the maximum vertical movement path of the lower working shaft 3.

Claims (8)

  1. Coupling device for a roll forming machine, which has a plurality of roll shaping tools arranged on working shafts (2, 3) for the successive longitudinal shaping of a metal strip or starting profile into a profile or a pipe, for the torsionally rigid coupling and decoupling of a drive system (9) at and from at least a part of the working shafts (2, 3), wherein the coupling device includes at least one length-adjustable Cardan shaft (10, 11), which is connected in a torsionally rigid manner on a drive side (12) with the drive system (9) and is equipped on an output side (13) with a coupling element (14), for transmitting a torque from the drive system (9) to a working shaft (2, 3), wherein the roll forming machine comprises moreover a coupling counter piece (6) at the working shaft (2, 3) and the coupling element (14) is brought into engagement at the output side (13) of the Cardan shaft (10, 11) by means of a substantially axial movement with the coupling counter piece (6) at the working shaft (2, 3), or can be taken out of this engagement, and wherein the coupling device has a holder (18) assigned to the drive system (9) which is equipped with a moving device for the axial moving of the coupling element (14), wherein the coupling element (14) is connected to the moving device,
    and wherein the coupling counter piece (6) is formed on the working shaft (2, 3) as a coupling pin (7) and the coupling element (14) on the output side (13) of the Cardan shaft (10, 11) is a coupling sheath (15) which can be plugged in a form-fitting manner onto the coupling pin with regard to a rotational movement,
    characterised in that
    the movement device for the axial moving of the coupling element (14) is also provided for a moving of the coupling element (14) in at least one direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and that the output side (13) of the Cardan shaft (10, 11) is equipped with a centering element (21) which has a sliding surface (22) which covers at least the potential path of motion of the coupling element (14) in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction and in particular has the form of a shield.
  2. Coupling device for a roll forming machine, which has a plurality of roll shaping tools arranged on working shafts (2, 3) for the successive longitudinal shaping of a metal strip or starting profile into a profile or a pipe, for the torsionally rigid coupling and decoupling of a drive system (9) at and from at least a part of the working shafts (2, 3), wherein the coupling device includes at least one length-adjustable Cardan shaft (10, 11), which is connected in a torsionally rigid manner on a drive side (12) with the drive system (9) and is equipped on an output side (13) with a coupling element (14), for transmitting a torque from the drive system (9) to a working shaft (2, 3),
    wherein the roll forming machine comprises moreover a coupling counter piece (6) at the working shaft (2, 3) and the coupling element (14) is brought into engagement at the output side (13) of the Cardan shaft (10, 11) by means of a substantially axial movement with the coupling counter piece (6) at the working shaft (2, 3), or can be taken out of this engagement, and wherein the coupling device has a holder (18) assigned to the drive system (9) which is equipped with a moving device for the axial moving of the coupling element (14), wherein the coupling element (14) is connected to the moving device,
    and wherein the coupling element (14) is formed at the output side (13) of the Cardan shaft (10, 11) as a coupling pin and the coupling counter piece (6) at the working shaft (2, 3) is a coupling sheath, wherein the coupling sheath can be plugged in a form-fitting manner onto the coupling pin with regard to a rotational movement,
    characterised in that
    the movement device for the axial moving of the coupling element (14) is also provided for a moving of the coupling element (14) in at least one direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and that the coupling sheath is equipped at the working shaft (2, 3) with a centering element which has a sliding surface which covers at least the potential path of movement of the coupling element (14) in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction and in particular has the form of a shield.
  3. Coupling device according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the movement device has at least one horizontal carriage (17) and one vertical carriage (16).
  4. Coupling device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movement device is equipped with pneumatic drives (19, 20), in particular pneumatic piston cylinder units.
  5. Coupling device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the Cardan shafts (10, 11) and the holder (18) are fastened releasably on the drive system (9).
  6. Coupling device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the movement device for the coupling element (14) can be manually operated where required.
  7. Roll forming machine having a plurality of roll shaping tools arranged on working shafts (2, 3) for the successive longitudinal shaping of a metal strip or starting profile into a profile or a pipe, wherein at least some of the roll shaping tools are combined to form several tool groups arranged in working direction behind one another, which are held respectively in a framework (1) and form with this respectively one shaping station, and wherein at least some of the roll shaping tools arranged in a shaping station sit on working shafts (2, 3) mounted in the framework (1), which working shafts are equipped with coupling counter pieces (6) projecting laterally out of the framework (1), and having a drive system for applying a torque onto the working shafts (2, 3),
    characterised by
    a coupling device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6.
  8. Method for coupling a drive system by means of a coupling device according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the coupling element (14) is mounted on the output side (13) of the Cardan shaft (10, 11) at an end stop of the motion axis aligned orthogonally to the axial direction and then is brought up to the coupling counter piece (6) axially until the sliding surface (22) of the centering element (21) abuts on the coupling element (14) or the coupling counter piece (6), after which the coupling element (14) is moved orthogonally to the axial direction until the coupling element (14) and the coupling counter piece (6) align.
EP16195127.2A 2016-10-21 2016-10-21 Roll forming machine and coupling device therefor, and coupling method therefor Active EP3311932B1 (en)

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EP16195127.2A EP3311932B1 (en) 2016-10-21 2016-10-21 Roll forming machine and coupling device therefor, and coupling method therefor

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EP3311932C0 EP3311932C0 (en) 2024-07-17
EP3311932B1 true EP3311932B1 (en) 2024-07-17

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110732574B (en) * 2019-10-23 2021-04-02 安徽跨宇钢结构网架工程有限公司 Steel sheet bending machine
DE102022120537B3 (en) 2022-08-15 2023-11-30 PROFILMETALL-Engineering GmbH Coupling device and roll forming system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3836286A1 (en) 1988-10-25 1990-04-26 Krueckels Gerhard PROFILING MACHINE
JP3362072B2 (en) * 1993-09-27 2003-01-07 株式会社中田製作所 Drive shaft connecting device for cold roll forming machine
EP2251110A1 (en) * 2009-05-13 2010-11-17 DREISTERN GmbH & Co.KG Profiling machine
ES2403077T3 (en) 2010-11-16 2013-05-14 Dreistern Gmbh & Co.Kg Roll forming machine and coupling support for such a machine
AT515177B1 (en) * 2013-12-10 2015-08-15 Asmag Holding Gmbh Drive system and profiling system equipped therewith

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EP3311932C0 (en) 2024-07-17

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