Abstract:
A folding device includes a first partial cylinder and a second partial cylinder. These two partial cylinders form a cylinder body. The two partial cylinders are rotatable relative to each other and each partial cylinder includes first and second groups of functional elements distributed around the circumference of the partial cylinder. Each of the first and second partial cylinders is provided with its own dedicated drive motor to accomplish the rotational movement of each partial cylinder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is the U.S. National phase under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/DE03/00491, filed Feb. 18, 2003; published as WO 03/070612A1 on Aug. 28, 2003 and claiming priority to DE 102 06 578.0, filed Feb. 18, 2002, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a folding device with a first and a second partial cylinder. The two partial cylinders, which together constitute a body of a cylinder, are coaxially rotatable relative to each other. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A folding device generally has a folding or a transport cylinder, which has a first group of function elements, such as spur needle strips or sheet grippers, for example, for use in holding paper which is to be processed, against the cylinder. It also has, as a second group of function elements, a folding blade which, working together with folding rollers or with a folding jaw of a further cylinder, creates a fold in the paper conveyed on the folding cylinder. 
   In order to be able to process paper of different formats, or to form different folds, the function elements such as the spur needle strips or the sheet grippers of a folding cylinder, which are used for holding the paper to be processed, and the folding blades, are mounted on different partial cylinders. These partial cylinders have, in respect to each other, a defined freedom of rotary movement in relation to the shaft of the folding cylinder. 
   DE 197 55 428 A1 and DE 295 02 222 U1 both disclose folding cylinders which each have two cylinder bodies supporting folding mechanisms, which two cylinder bodies can be rotated in relation to each other. 
   Later published EP 1 264 689 A2 and EP 1 260 474 A1 both describe folding devices with a first and a second partial cylinder, which together constitute a body of the cylinder and which are rotatable relative to each other, and each one of which supports a first or a second group of function elements, which are distributed over the circumference of the cylinder, wherein its own drive motor for rotatory driving the partial cylinder is assigned to each partial cylinder. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,064 describes a folding jaw cylinder driven by a gear wheel. The two partial cylinders, which support folding jaws, are driven by a different motor only for the purpose of displacing them relative to each other in the circumferential direction. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,049 shows a multi-part bucket wheel, whose parts have different gear mechanisms. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is directed to providing a folding device having a first and a second partial cylinder. 
   In accordance with the present invention, the object is attained by the provision of a folding device with first and second partial cylinders, each of which has radial segments. The two partial cylinders constitute a body of a cylinder and are rotatable with respect to each other. Each partial cylinder supports one of first and second groups of function elements. Each partial cylinder has its own electrical motor which, in its clear layout, is independent of other cylinders for the coaxial rotatory driving of its associated partial cylinder. The folding device has a driver circuit for driving the electrical motors at identical speeds and an adjustable relative phase position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. 
     Shown are in: 
       FIG. 1 , a cross-sectional view through a cylinder and adjoining parts of a material-processing machine in accordance with the present invention and taken along line I—I of  FIG. 2 , in 
       FIG. 2 , an end view of the cylinder in  FIG. 1 , in 
       FIG. 3 , a first embodiment of a folding device, in 
       FIG. 4 , a second embodiment of a folding device, in 
       FIG. 5 , a third embodiment of a folding device, in 
       FIG. 6 , a fourth embodiment of a folding device, in 
       FIG. 7 , a folding device for accomplishing a transverse fold, in 
       FIG. 8 , a side elevation view of a folding device in accordance with  FIG. 7 , in 
       FIG. 9 , a folding device for accomplishing a transverse fold with a belt system, in 
       FIG. 10 , a side elevation view of a folding device in accordance with  FIG. 9 , in 
       FIG. 11 , a folding device for accomplishing a transverse fold with a linear fold, in 
       FIG. 12 , a side elevation view of a folding device in accordance with  FIG. 11 , in 
       FIG. 13 , a folding device for accomplishing a second transverse fold with a linear fold, and in 
       FIG. 14 , a side elevation view of a folding device in accordance with  FIG. 13 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   An axial section through a cylinder, as well as portions of lateral plates of a frame of a machine into which the cylinder has been placed, are shown in  FIG. 1 . The axial section extends along the dash-dotted line identified by I—I in  FIG. 2 . 
   Two partial cylinders  01 ,  02 , of which the body of the cylinder represented in  FIG. 1  is composed, are depicted in  FIG. 1  using different hatching, with these hatchings rising for the first partial cylinder  01  and descending for the second partial cylinder  02 . A central shaft  13  is part of the first partial cylinder  01 . Central shaft  13  is supported at one or a first location, such as at the left in  FIG. 1 , by a bearing  14 , for example by a rolling bearing  14 , in a first lateral frame plate  16  of a folding device. The central shaft  13  can be driven by a first drive motor  17 , whose motor housing is fixedly connected with the lateral frame plate  16  by the use of a flange  18 . Two arms  19 , which are fastened on the central shaft  13 , support a first cylinder segment  21 , which constitutes a portion of the circumferential surface of the cylinder and which first cylinder segment  21  supports a function element of a first group, for example a holding element, and in particular a strip, which is not specifically represented, with spur needles, or at least one gripper. 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the first partial cylinder  01  has two pairs of arms  19  and two first cylinder segments  21 , which are located diametrically opposite each other. Of course, a larger number of first cylinder segments  21  can be arranged, evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. 
   The opposite or second end of the central shaft  13  is rotatably seated, with the aid of bearings  22 , for example rolling bearings  22 , in a cup  23 , which cup  23  is a part of the second partial cylinder  02 , which cup  23  is itself rotatably maintained in a second lateral frame plate  16  by a bearing  24 , for example a rolling bearing  24 . A driveshaft of a second drive motor  26 , whose housing is fastened, in a manner similar to that of the first drive motor  17 , on the lateral frame plate  16  by a flange  18 , acts on the end or bottom of the cup  23 . 
   Second cylinder segments  27  of the second partial cylinder  02  are each supported by two radial arms  28 ,  29 , of which one arm  28  is secured to an open rim of the cup  23 , and the other arm  29  is rotatably supported at the central shaft  13  by the use of a bearing  31 , for example a rolling bearing  31 . Each second cylinder segment supports a function element, which is not specifically represented, for example a folding blade. 
   The two drive motors  17 ,  26  are connected with a common control circuit  33  which, for example with the help of suitable rpm or angle sensors which may be arranged on the respective drive motors  17 ,  26 , regulates both drive motors  17 ,  26  to run at identical rotational speeds, and therefore to maintain a constant distance between the function elements on the first or second cylinder segments  21  or  27 , respectively. 
   In accordance with a simple embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit  33  is connected with two angle of rotation sensors that are arranged on the drive motors  17  and  26 , each of which angle of rotation sensor provides a pulse to the control circuit  33  for each angle of rotation unit of the respective drive motor  17  or  26  traveled. The control circuit  33  is laid out for detecting the phase difference of the pulse trains provided by the two sensors and for maintaining it constant at a predetermined value, which predetermined value can be adjusted at the control circuit  33 , and which predetermined value corresponds to a desired distance between the function elements on the two partial cylinders  01 ,  02 . 
   In place of simple pulses, each of the sensors may provide binary-coded data words in a fixed cyclic sequence. This makes it possible for the control circuit  33  to detect a phase shift between two identical data words from the two respective sensors and to keep it constant, even if the time difference is greater than the period at which the data words are delivered. 
   It is obvious that the present invention can be utilized with any arbitrary type of function elements situated on the first and second partial cylinders  01 ,  02 . The function elements on the first and second partial cylinders  01 ,  02  can be of different types, or also can be of the same type. They can be spur needles or spur needle strips, sheet grippers, folding blades, folding jaws, ejectors, post-grippers, cutting blades, and the like. 
   The cylinder which includes the first and second partial cylinders  01  and  02  can be embodied in a folding device as a folding blade cylinder, as a folding jaw cylinder or as a collection cylinder, for example. 
   In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, as see in  FIG. 3 , the folding device has at least one cutting cylinder  35 , a collection cylinder  36  and a folding jaw cylinder  37 . The collection cylinder  36  has two partial cylinders  39 ,  40 , which first and second partial cylinders  39 ,  40  can be displaced in relation to each other in the circumferential direction. The first partial cylinder  39  is provided with at least one folding blade as its function element, and the second partial cylinder  40  is provided with spur needles or grippers as its function element. This collection cylinder  36  transfers signatures to the folding jaw cylinder  37 . 
   The folding jaw cylinder  37  is driven by its own electric motor  05  and is mechanically independently of other cylinders. The first partial cylinder  39  of the collection cylinder  36 , which carries the folding blade, is driven by another electric motor  04 . The other or second partial cylinder  40  of the collection cylinder, and supporting the spur needles or grippers, is driven by a further electric motor  03 , which electric motor  03  also drives the cutting cylinder  35 . A gear drive with several gear wheels is provided for this drive of the second partial cylinder  40  and the cutting cylinder  35 . One gear wheel is connected with the second partial cylinder  40  supporting the spur needles or grippers, a second gear wheel is connected with the cutting cylinder  35 , and a third gear wheel is connected with the rotor of the electric motor  03 . For accomplishing driving of the cylinder and partial cylinders, the electric motor  03 , the cutting cylinder  35  and the partial cylinder  40  of the collection cylinder  36  are connected by the gear wheels, wherein driving takes place from the cutting cylinder  35  to the collection cylinder  36 . The electric motor  03  assigned to the cutting cylinder  35  and to the partial cylinder  40  of the collection cylinder  36  is arranged on one side of the folding device, while the electric motors  04  assigned to the partial cylinder  39  supporting the folding blades of the collection cylinder  36  and to the folding jaw cylinder  37  are arranged on the opposite side of the folding device. 
   As represented in  FIG. 4 , in place of the gear wheel connection between the cutting cylinder  35  and the partial cylinder  40  of the collection cylinder  36 , this partial cylinder  40  is, in the configuration, also provided with its own electric motor  06 . A transmission gear can be arranged between the cutting cylinder  35  and the electric motor  03 , so that the electric motor  03  can be arranged offset with respect to the axis of the cutting cylinder  35 . 
   It is also possible, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , to arrange the electric motor  03  of the cutting cylinder  35  coaxially with respect to the cutting cylinder  35 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . In this configuration the rotor of the electric motor  03  can be connected with the shaft of the cutting cylinder  35  without a gear. Alternatively, an auxiliary gear, such as a planetary gear can be arranged between cylinder  35  and motor  03 . 
   As represented in  FIG. 6 , a further folding cylinder  38 , which has first and second partial cylinders  51 ,  52 , is arranged between the collection cylinder  36  and the folding jaw cylinder  37 . The first partial cylinder  51  of the further folding cylinder  36  has at least one folding blade, and the second partial cylinder  52  of the further folding cylinder  38  has at least one folding jaw. In this embodiment, each one of the first and second partial cylinders  51 ,  52  is driven by its own electric motor  07 ,  08 . 
   In embodiments with electric motors which are arranged concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the associated cylinder or partial cylinder, the rotor of the electric motor can be directly connected with the shaft of the cylinder. Alternatively, the motor can have a auxiliary gear, for example a planetary gear. 
   In a further embodiment of the folding device, as depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the folding device has at least one bucket wheel  41 , which bucket wheel  41  is driven by its own electric motor  42 . A belt system  44 , as depicted schematically in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , is provided for the delivery of folded products from the bucket wheel  41  and also has its own electric motor  46 . A longitudinal folding arrangement  47 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , and which is optionally assigned to the folding device, is also driven by its own electric motor  53  independently of other cylinders, as can be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . This longitudinal folding arrangement  47  is employed for the formation of a subsequent longitudinal fold, called a third fold or a delta fold, which subsequent longitudinal fold takes place after the formation of the transverse fold. The first longitudinal fold is provided by a longitudinal former, which is not specifically represented. The second, transverse fold is made by a folding jaw cylinder  37  or  38 , and the third fold by a further optional folding jaw cylinder  37  or  38 . The third fold or the fourth fold is provided by a longitudinal folding blade. 
   Each cylinder of the folding device is driven by its own electric motor  03 ,  04 ,  05 ,  06 ,  07 , respectively which electric motor for each cylinder is, in its technical gear layout, independent of other cylinders. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one electric motor of the folding device is controlled as a function of a virtual guide shaft of the printing press, and at least one other electric motor is controlled as a function of this electric motor. For example, the electric motor  03  of the cutting cylinder  35  is controlled by the virtual guide shaft of the printing press, and an electric motor  04 ,  06  of the collection cylinder  36  is controlled as a function of the electric motor  03  of the cutting cylinder  35 . 
   The controls of a partial cylinder  40  having a holding system with spur needles and gripper needles, and the controls of the cutting cylinder  35  are independent of each other. This means that the electric motor of the partial cylinder  40  having a holding system with spur needles and gripper needles is controlled as a function of the electric motor  03  of the cutting cylinder  35 . Furthermore, the two partial cylinders  01 ,  02 , or  39 ,  40 , or  51 ,  52  are controlled as a function of each other. 
   In another embodiment, it is also possible to control all of the electric motors of the folding device as a function of a virtual guide shaft. 
   A fixing device is provided for each partial cylinder  01 ,  02 , or  39 ,  40 , or  51 ,  52 , as well as for each cylinder. In order to be able to perform maintenance work, the cylinders can be fixed in place relative to the frame in a maintenance position. During the operation, i.e. during the folding process, the two partial cylinders  01 ,  02 , or  39 ,  40 , or  51 ,  52  are mechanically fixed in respect to each other. 
   At least one electric motor  03 ,  04 ,  05 ,  06 ,  07 ,  08 ,  17 ,  26   42 ,  45 ,  53  has an angle of rotation sensor. 
   It is also possible to operate one or both electric motors  04 ,  06 , or  07 ,  08 , or  17 ,  26  of the partial cylinders  01 ,  02 , or  39 ,  40 , or  51 ,  52  in a manner where their angular position is controlled only during the adjustment process. After the adjustment process, the two partial cylinders  01 ,  02 , or  39 ,  40 , or  51 ,  52  are mechanically fixed in place, and at least the position control of the motor  04 ,  06 , or  07 ,  08 , or  17 ,  26  of a partial cylinder  01 ,  02 , or  39 ,  40 , or  51 ,  52  is deactivated. The second electric motor  04 ,  06 ,  07 ,  08 ,  17 ,  26  can then drive in a moment-controlled manner, or can be disconnected. 
   While preferred embodiments of a folding device with a first and second partrial cylinder, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in for example, the overall sizes of the cylinders, the specific structure of the function elements and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the amended claims.