HK1001124B - Counterpoise and lift mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a cylinder within a processing unit is provided, the cylinder having a releasable end portion and a removably sleeve mounted thereon. A counterpoise assembly is assigned to one end of the cylinder. The cylinder is supported on both ends by support housings. One of the support housings is supported, during throw-off of the cylinder, by a horizontally movable supporting device. A sliding device is assigned to the supporting device on the respective side frame.

Description

Balancing and lifting mechanism

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for supporting a balanced cylinder in a processing installation.

Background

Us 4,458,591 discloses a rotary printing press in which the angle between an offset and a cliche cylinder can be varied by an offset mechanism. A cliche cylinder throw-off mechanism moves the cliche cylinder out of engagement with the blanket cylinder, and a cam maintains a distance between the die roller and a center of the cliche cylinder when the cliche cylinder is thrown off. However, in this structure, the publication proposes a technique of releasing the bearing and supporting the released printing cylinder.

Us patent 5,237,920 shows a device for supporting a cylinder of a rotary printing press. The bearing member of the printing press can be removed from the end of the press cylinder. A balancing assembly is provided which includes rods having an arcuate portion which applies a force to the neck of the machine side of the printing press cylinder, the work side end of which is released. Each counterbalance assembly includes an elbow member that moves the respective lever to its engaged position and secures the lever in its engaged position relative to the weight of the accompanying print cylinder.

Us patent 5,241,905 discloses a printing press with releasable bearing clamps. The printer includes a door assembly having a pivotally movable door supported on a frame wall. The door has a closed position in which the door extends across the opening in the frame wall and an open position in which it does not extend across the frame wall opening. A clamping assembly clamps a bearing housing of a printing press cylinder against the door when the door is in the closed position. The clamping assembly includes a first clamp secured to the door and a second clamp supported on the door for movement relative to the first clamp to an open or closed position. In its closed position, the first clamp abuts against the second clamp, thereby engaging the bearing housing of the printing press cylinder. By moving this second clamp to an open position, the bearing housing is released. Once the second gripper is in the open position, the door assembly is swung into the open position, allowing access to the cylinder of the printing press for tubular sleeve replacement. The door assembly is movable for throw-off of the printing press cylinder.

Us patent 5,301,609 discloses a printing press with a deflection and throw-off mechanism. An upper and a lower carriage support the two ends of a lead (plate) cylinder, which are moved laterally relative to a frame independently of each other by a biasing mechanism. A release mechanism comprises a pressure cylinder and a piston rod connected between the two brackets. The cylinder and piston rod are pivotally connected to the brackets and pivot relative to the brackets as the brackets are moved laterally by the biasing mechanism. The disengagement mechanism then allows the brackets to be displaced independently of each other while remaining disengaged from each other.

However, the above arrangement does not involve the need to incorporate a lifting mechanism into the press cylinder so that a sleeve can be axially removed from the cylinder which is disengaged therefrom. In the above-described apparatus, in order to effect removal of a film blank from a roll, the respective roll is either held stationary or thrown downwardly. Without lifting the drum to remove the sleeve from the drum.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention, a balance is provided for the lifting mechanism to move a printing press cylinder between a printing position and a throw-off position. The drum has a first end and a second end supported above the ends by respective support housings. An axially mountable die. If a sleeve is mounted at the first end of the drum and can be removed, it should be noted, however, that the axially mountable die need not form a sleeve, i.e. it need not have a continuous tubular surface.

This cylinder may be, for example, a printing cylinder on which a sleeve-like printing matrix is mounted, or a blanket cylinder on which a sleeve-like printing blanket is mounted. An adhesive release mechanism coupled to the first and second support housings moves the cylinder upward from its printing state to its throw-off state, and moves the cylinder downward from its throw-off state to its printing state. A counterbalance assembly is engageable with the second end of the drum at a point other than the second support housing. The counterbalance assembly engages the second end of the cylinder when the cylinder is in the throw-off condition and does not engage the second end of the cylinder when the cylinder is in the print condition. A support device is also provided. The support means engages and supports the second support housing when the drum is in the disengaged position. In this way, when the drum is in the throw-away position, the drum is protected from the failure of the throw-away mechanism. Once the counterbalance and support means are engaged, a release mechanism releases the first support shield from the first end of the roller and the sleeve can be removed from the roller.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the disengagement mechanism includes an actuator (e.g., a pneumatic cylinder) and a connector that, when disengaged, raises each respective support cage about the shaft on the respective sideframe to rotate the shaft. Furthermore, the respective cage has an adjustable stop for controlling the nip between adjacent cylinder surfaces.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the support means is horizontally movable between a first position, in which the support means is out of engagement with the machine side support housing, and a second position, in which the support means supports the machine side support housing under the control of a drive. A slide unit may be provided under the machine side support cover, and mounted on the machine side frame, and supports the support unit in the second position. In order to reduce friction between the support means and the machine side cover when the support means is moved to the second position, the machine side support cover may comprise a contact member, such as a cam follower, and the support means may comprise a corresponding contact surface having an inclined surface.

The respective actuators of the respective first and second support housings, such as the actuators of the support devices, may be assembled in a variety of forms, as is generally known in the art. For example, these devices may be pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, or other suitable pressurized fluid-based devices. An electric motor, solenoid arrangement or other electrically controlled device is also suitable.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows an overall cross-sectional view of an offset printing press;

FIG. 2(a-c) shows a print cylinder of an ink roller of the printing press of FIG. 1 in a printing state, a counterbalance mechanism in a disengaged position, and a releasable bearing clamp in its closed position;

FIG. 3(a-c) shows a print cylinder of an ink roller of the printing press of FIG. 1 in a disengaged state, a counterbalance mechanism in an engaged position, and a releasable bearing clamp in its open position;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-section of an ink roller of the printing press of FIG. 1 with the balancing mechanism and a support device in a disengaged position;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross-section of an ink roller of the printing press of FIG. 1 with the balancing mechanism and a support device in an engaged position;

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative disengagement mechanism for the ink roller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative balancing mechanism for the ink roller of FIG. 1.

Detailed Description

Referring now to fig. 1, a printing unit 1 includes an upper ink roller 2 and a lower ink roller 21. A plurality of dispensing rollers 4 dispense ink from the upper ink reservoir 3. A moistening device 5 is provided on an upper first cylinder 19. A dampening applicator roller 6 and ink rollers 7, 8 and 9, respectively, supply dampening solution or ink to the surface of an axially mountable die, such as a sleeve-like tubular die, which is mounted on an upper first cylinder 19. The rollers 6, 7, 8 and 9 can take an engaged position, in a known manner, and can also take a non-engaged, i.e. disengaged, position with respect to the upper first cylinder surface.

An adjustable stopper 14 is mounted on the lower surface of the machine side support cover 12. The adjustable stop 14 may be configured to adjust the pressure relationship between the upper first cylinder 19 (e.g., a print cylinder) and the upper second cylinder (e.g., a blanket cylinder).

The support housing 12 of the machine side 32 is connected to an actuator 16 via a vertically extending connecting element 15. When the print cylinder is thrown off the actuator 16 is extended and the support housing 12 is pivoted counterclockwise about the axis 42 of the machine side frame 32.

Furthermore, the support housing 12 is provided with a support means 17. The support device 17 is connected to a drive 18. The actuator 18 may be pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, electromagnetic, or other suitable device. The actuator 18 moves the support 17 laterally between the engaged and disengaged positions. The support device is in its non-engaging position in fig. 1. In its engaged position, the support means 17 support the support housing 12 when disengaged, as explained in more detail below.

In the configuration shown in fig. 1, the web 44 is printed on both sides as it travels along a web path through a nip between an upper second cylinder 20 (e.g., a blanket cylinder) and a lower second cylinder 30 (e.g., a blanket cylinder), with both cylinders 20 and 30 having self-sleeved printing blankets mounted thereon, and with the upper and lower first cylinders each having a tubular printing form mounted thereon. Other printing units similar to the printing unit shown in fig. 1 may also be installed in the path of the web 44.

The lower ink roller 21 includes a lower ink reservoir 22 that supplies ink to a dispensing roller 23 of the lower ink roller 21. Ink is supplied to the lower first cylinder 29 by the ink application rollers 26, 27 and 28. The lower ink roller 21 is provided with a dampening device 24 and supplies dampening solution via a dampening application roller 25 to a sleeve-like tubular printing form mounted on a lower first cylinder 29.

Fig. 2(a) shows a side view of the first roller 19 mounted between the machine side frame 32 and the work side frame 31. A balancing mechanism 35 is also shown. Fig. 2(b) shows a front view of the balancing mechanism 35, and fig. 2(c) shows the working side frame 31 in detail. In the configuration of fig. 2(a, b, c), the first cylinder is in the printing state and the balancing assembly 35 is not engaged.

An actuator 16.1 mounted on the work side frame 31 has a connector 15.1 releasably connected to the work side support housing 180, and the work side support housing 180 includes a door 182 pivotally mounted to a bracket 184 and a door drive assembly 186. The work side support housing 180 is rotatable about an axis 188. In the printing state, the work side cover 180 supports the cylinder 19. On the machine side frame 32, the support housing is mounted for rotation on the frame along an axis 42, as shown in FIG. 1. With the actuators 16 and 16.1 engaged, the support housings 12 and 180 pivot about the axes 42 and 188 (in a counter-clockwise direction from the perspective of fig. 1) via the connectors 15 and 15.1, and the upper first roller 19 is disengaged from the upper second roller 20 in an upward arc.

Once the upper first drum 19 is disengaged, the counterbalance mechanism 35 can be activated and then the door 182 opened and the sleeve 33 can be installed or removed. At the time of disengagement, the upper second roller 20 remains stationary.

Referring now to fig. 2(a) and 2(b), the counterbalance mechanism 35 shown in the disengaged position includes a drive means 39, such as a pneumatic cylinder, and a toggle linkage 38 and a counterbalance bar 37 having an arcuate portion 370 adjacent the barrel neck 36. The balance bar 37 is mounted to a balance bar 380 for pivotal movement. In its non-engaged position, arcuate portion 370 of lever 37 does not contact collar 36.

Similar to fig. 2(a, b), fig. 3(a) shows a side view of the first roller 19 and the balance mechanism 35 mounted between the machine side frame 32 and the work side frame 31. Fig. 3(b) shows a front view of the balancing mechanism 35. Fig. 3(c) shows the working side frame 31 in detail. In the configuration of fig. 3(a-c), however, the upper first cylinder is in a non-printing state (i.e., disengaged) and the counterbalance assembly 35 is engaged.

To remove the printing sleeve 33, the upper first cylinder is moved into its throw-off position via the respective actuators 16 and 16.1 on the working and machine side frames 32 and 31. The counterbalance mechanism 35 is then actuated to bring the arcuate portion 370 of the lever 37 into contact with the roller neck 36. Referring now to fig. 1, the support means 17, which is slidably mounted on a slide plate 34, is activated into engagement with the machine side support housing 12, thereby holding the neck 36 and the machine side support housing 12 in their positions.

In order to simplify the mounting and removal of the tubular jacket 33 on and from the upper first roller, the working side frame has an opening 31.1. Referring now to figures 2c and 3c, after the counterbalance assembly 35 and support means 17 have been activated, the bearing housing 13 of the upper first roller 19 in the work side frame is released and the sleeve 33 will be removed through the opening 31.1 in the work side frame 31. A releasable bearing clamp, such as that described in detail in us patent 5,241,905, which is incorporated herein by reference, allows the bearing housing 13 on the working side frame 31 to be released, thereby retaining its position over the working side frame stub shaft 190 of the upper first roller 19, as shown in figure 3 (c).

Once the bearing housing 13 is released, the door 182 is opened by the door drive assembly 186 and the sleeve 33 can be installed and removed through the opening 31.1. The bearing housing 13 is released and the drum 19 is supported by the support housing 12 and the counterbalance assembly 35. The support housing 12 is in turn secured in place by the actuator 16 and the connector 15. The support means 17 and the sliding plate 34 protect the drum 19 from damage in case of failure of the actuator 16 and the connector 15. As indicated by the condition of the drive means 39 shown in fig. 2(b) and 3(b), retraction of the drive means 39 when the counterbalance assembly 35 is engaged also provides protection against failure of the drive means 39. In fact, since the support means 17 support the cylinder when the balancing assembly 35 is engaged, the actuator 16 does not even have to be used to support the entire weight of the cylinder.

Fig. 4 shows the support housing 12 of the machine side in more detail. The upper first cylinder 19 and the upper second cylinder 20 are in a printing state. An image is transferred from the upper first cylinder 19 to the upper second cylinder 20 and then onto the web 44 moving through the nip between the upper and lower second cylinders 20 and 30. In this state, the application rollers 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively deliver ink or dampening solution to the upper first cylinder 19. The support housing 12 is pivotally mounted to the side frame 32 along an axis 42. In this state, the support cover 12 is supported by the stopper 14, which is mounted on the slide plate 34 of the machine side frame 32 to be adjustable. The support housing 12 is connected to an actuator 16 via a connector 15. The connector 15 is mounted to the support housing 12 for pivotal movement about an axis 120. A cam follower 40 is also mounted on the shaft 120 on the support housing 12. The cam follower 40 cooperates with an inclined surface 41 of the wedge-shaped support means 17. The support means 17 is engaged or disengaged with the cam follower by an actuator 18. These actuators 16, 16.1, 18 and 39 can be pneumatic cylinders, electric motors with or without speed change, solenoid mechanisms, hydraulic actuators or other devices suitable for actuating the support means 17, or the connectors 15, 15.1 and 38.

Fig. 5 shows the support shield in a disengaged position. The application rollers 7, 8, 9 and the dampening application roller 6 are disengaged from the surface of the upper first cylinder 19 by conventional means, since the support hood 12 is pivoted slightly about the axis 42, leaving the stops 14, the upper first cylinder 19 is not in contact with the cylinder 20 or the rollers 6-9.

To prevent the support cage 12 from suddenly moving downwards and to prevent wear and damage of the drum surface, the wedge-shaped support means 17 is moved towards the sliding plate 34. As described above, the support device is laterally displaced by the actuator 18. To reduce friction, the inclined portion 41 of the support means 17 contacts the cam follower 40; which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 120 of the support housing 12 to facilitate engagement of the support means 17 beneath the support housing 12.

As a result, the upper first roller 19 which triggers the supporting means 17 is held in its position on the machine side frame 32, which is held by the counterbalance assembly 35 outside the machine side frame, and the supporting means 17 which engages with the cam follower 40 mounted on the support housing 12. Thus, when a sleeve is removed, the support housing 12 is held firmly in the disengaged position by the support means 17 in the event of a sudden pressure failure in the actuator 16.

The disengagement of the lower ink roller may be achieved, for example, in the manner described in U.S. patent 5,301,609, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 6 shows a release mechanism 290 of the lower ink roller 21 of FIG. 1. The release mechanism 290 is shown in a printing position (as opposed to a release position). Referring now to fig. 6, the lower first roller 29 is mounted on the carriage 260 and can be disengaged downwardly about the shaft 200 by a first piston 210 actuated by the actuator 220. The lower second roller 30 is mounted on the bracket 230. The bracket 230 has a stopper 240 rotatably mounted on a shaft 250. In this printing position, the plunger 210 holds the carriage 260 and the lower first cylinder 29 in place. The carriage 230 and the lower second roller 30 are fixed in position by a stopper 240 seated on the carriage 260. As the plunger 210 is extended, the carriage 260 rotates the lower first roller 29 about the shaft 200 and into the disengaged position. When this rotation occurs, gravity causes the carriage to rotate the lower 2 nd drum 30 in a clockwise direction until the stop 270 contacts the block 280. After the rotation of the carriage 230 is stopped by the block 280, the carriage 260 continues to rotate under the pressure of the plunger 210, thereby separating the lower second roller from both the upper second roller 20 and the lower first roller 29. As mentioned above, the upper first roller 19 is disengaged upwardly from the upper second roller 20 in the manner shown in fig. 1-5. The upper second roller 20 remains stationary when disengaged.

If the lower first and second rollers of fig. 1 are configured to receive the cylindrical gum cover and the stamp (respectively), the lower first and second rollers may be supported during installation and removal of the sleeve in the manner described in U.S. patent 5,237,920, which is incorporated herein by reference. Referring now to fig. 7, the upper balance assembly 300 and the lower balance assembly 400 secure the lower second roller 30 and the lower first roller 29, respectively, when the sleeve is installed or removed.

To engage the upper balance assembly 300, an actuator 310 drives the piston 320 upward, causing the linkage assembly 350 to rotate clockwise about the shaft 340 to engage an arcuate portion of the rod 330 with the surface of the neck 36 of the lower second roller 30. To engage the lower balance assembly 300, the actuator 410 drives the piston 420 outward, causing the linkage assembly 450 to rotate the lever 430 clockwise about the shaft 440 such that an arcuate portion of the lever 430 engages the neck 36 of the lower first roller 29. Once the upper and/or lower counterbalancing assemblies are engaged, the bearings of the respective rollers on the working side frames can be released and the respective sleeves installed or removed. An illustrative manner in which the bearings of the upper first roller, the upper second roller, the lower first roller, and the lower second roller may be released is described more fully in U.S. patent 5,241,905, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the configuration shown in fig. 1-7, a two-sided offset printing press of the present invention is shown in which the upper first cylinder is thrown off upward, the upper second cylinder remains stationary, and the lower first and second cylinders are thrown off downward. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the balancing and lifting mechanisms shown in FIGS. 1, 2(a-b), 3(a-b), 4, and 5 may also be used in a printing press in which the lower first cylinder remains stationary while the lower second, upper second, and upper first cylinders are thrown off omnidirectionally.

Similarly, the balancing and lifting mechanisms shown in FIGS. 1, 2(a-b), 3(a-b), 4 and 5 can also be used in a printing press where the lower second cylinder remains stationary while the upper second, upper first cylinder is thrown upward and the lower first cylinder is thrown downward. Finally, all four rollers may be thrown upwards. The invention is also applicable to a single-sided offset printing press having an offset cylinder, a print cylinder and an impression cylinder.

In addition, the present invention is by no means limited to use in offset printing presses. It can be used in any processing device for mounting components by sleeves. For example, the counterbalancing and lifting mechanisms according to the present invention may be used in conjunction with other image-bearing or electrophotographic cylinders, such as gravure (gravure), intaglio (intaglio), letterpress (ulfer press), flexography (flexography), and the like.

Claims (21)

1. A balancing and lifting mechanism for moving a cylinder of a processing machine in a printing position to a throw-off position, the mechanism comprising: a roller having a first end and a second end, an axially attachable and removably mountable die at the first end, the roller being supported at the first and second ends by respective first and second support housings; a throw-off mechanism connected to the first and second support covers, the throw-off mechanism moving the cylinder upward from the printing position to the throw-off position and moving the cylinder downward from the throw-off position to the printing position; a counterbalance assembly engageable with an outer portion of the second end of the cylinder, the second bearing cage engaging an inner surface portion of the second end of the cylinder, the counterbalance assembly applying a force to the second end of the cylinder when the cylinder is in the disengaged position, the counterbalance assembly releasing the force from the second end of the cylinder when the cylinder is in the printing position; and a support means which engages the second support housing and supports the second support housing when the drum is in the disengaged position.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a slide means supporting the support means in the disengaged position.

3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is a cliche cylinder.

4. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the cylinder is a blanket cylinder.

5. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is an Impression cylinder (Impression).

6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and second support housings pivot about respective axes between the print position and the disengaged position.

7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is an image-bearing cylinder, such as a gravure (gravure), intaglio (intaglio), letterpress (letter press), flexography (flexography), or electrophotographic cylinder.

8. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a pair of adjustable stop members, each adjustable stop member engaging a respective support cage to adjust the pressure between the roller and an adjacent roller.

9. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second support housing further comprises a contact member which engages the support means in the disengaged position.

10. A mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the support means further comprises a contact surface for engaging the contact member in the disengaged position.

11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the contact surface has an inclined surface.

12. A mechanism according to claim 11 wherein the contact member is rotatably mounted on the second housing, the contact member engaging the contact surface in a low friction condition when the support means is moved into engagement with the second housing.

13. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support means further comprises a drive for moving the support means.

14. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein the actuator is electronically controlled.

15. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein the actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.

16. A mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is a solenoid device.

17. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.

18. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the balancing assembly further comprises a balancing bar coupled to an actuator, the balancing bar having an arcuate portion that engages a machine side neck of the drum.

19. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism further comprises a first and second actuator and a first and second connector coupled between the first and second actuator and the first and second support housings, respectively.

20. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and second support housings are pivotable about respective axes on respective sides of one converting machine.

21. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a release mechanism for releasing the first support housing from the first end of the roller after the counterbalance assembly and the support assembly are engaged.