Strapping device
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mobile strapping device for strapping packaged products using a loop of wrapping strap. The strapping device includes a tensioning device for applying tension to the strap and a connecting device for connecting two overlapping portions of the strap. The tensioning device includes a rotatable tensioning wheel and a tensioning plate. The tensioning wheel is supported by a rocker that is pivotable to change a distance separating the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate. The mobile strapping device includes a motor that is operably connectable to the rocker or the tensioning wheel such that the motor causes pivoting of the rocker or rotation of the tensioning wheel when operating in a first direction of rotation. In various embodiments, gearing, including a plurality of planetary gear sets, is used to operatively connect the motor to the rocker and the tensioning wheel.
1. A strapping device for strapping packaged goods, said strapping device comprising:
a base;
a tensioning plate supported by the base;
a rocker pivotably mounted to the base about a rocker axis;
a tensioning wheel mounted to the rocker and rotatable relative to the rocker about a tensioning axis;
a motor operable in a first direction of rotation in a first mode and a second opposite direction of rotation in a second mode, wherein the motor is operably connectable to the rocker and the tensioning wheel such that operation of the motor in the first direction of rotation in the first mode causes: (a) pivoting of the rocker about the rocker axis to increase a distance between the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate, and (b) rotation of the tensioning wheel about the tensioning axis; and
a strap connecting device drivable by the motor.
2. The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the connecting device includes a friction welding device having a friction welding shoe, the friction welding shoe being reciprocatingly movable.
3. The strapping device of claim 1 , which includes gearing operatively connecting the motor to the rocker and the tensioning wheel.
4. The strapping device of claim 3 , wherein the gearing operatively connects the motor to only one of: (1) the rocker and (2) the tensioning wheel at a time.
5. The strapping device of claim 3 , which includes a first locking mechanism movable from an engaged position in which the first locking mechanism engages a first gear element of the gearing to operatively connect the motor with the rocker to a disengaged position in which the first locking mechanism is disengaged from the first gear element.
6. The strapping device of claim 5 , wherein, when the first locking mechanism engages the first gear element, the first locking mechanism prevents rotation of the first gear element relative to the first locking mechanism.
7. The strapping device of claim 5 , which includes a second locking mechanism movable from an engaged position in which the second locking mechanism engages a second gear element of the gearing to operatively connect the motor with the tensioning wheel to a disengaged position in which the second locking mechanism is disengaged from the second gear element.
8. The strapping device of claim 7 , wherein, when the second locking mechanism engages the second gear element, the second locking mechanism prevents rotation of the second gear element relative to the second locking mechanism.
9. The strapping device of claim 7 , wherein the second locking mechanism is in the disengaged position when the first locking mechanism is in the engaged position and the first locking mechanism is in the disengaged position when the second locking mechanism is in the engaged position.
10. The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein operation of the motor in the first direction of rotation in the first mode can also cause an increase in a force exerted by the tensioning wheel against the tensioning plate during strap tensioning.
11. The strapping device of claim 10 , wherein a counterforce acting on the tensioning wheel during strap tensioning at least in part causes the exertion of the force by the tensioning wheel against the tensioning plate.
12. The strapping device of claim 10 , wherein the force exerted by the tensioning wheel against the tensioning plate is generally proportional to strap tension.
13. The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the connecting device is drivable by the motor when the motor rotates in the second direction of rotation in the second mode.
14. A strapping device for strapping packaged goods, said strapping device comprising:
a base;
a tensioning plate supported by the base;
a rocker pivotably mounted to the base about a rocker axis;
a tensioning wheel mounted to the rocker and rotatable relative to the rocker about a tensioning axis;
gearing;
a motor operatively connectable to the rocker and the tensioning wheel via the gearing, wherein the motor is operable in a first direction of rotation in a first mode and a second opposite direction of rotation in a second mode, and the first direction of rotation in the first mode causes: (1) the rocker to pivot about the rocker axis to increase a distance between the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate, and (2) rotation of the tensioning wheel about the tensioning axis; and
a strap connecting device drivable by the motor.
15. The strapping device of claim 14 , wherein the gearing operatively connects the motor to either the rocker or to the tensioning wheel.
16. The strapping device of claim 14 , wherein the gearing includes a sun gear driven by the motor, a first planetary gear set driven by the sun gear and operably connectable to the rocker, and a second planetary gear set driven by the sun gear and operatively connectable to the tensioning wheel.
17. The strapping device of claim 16 , wherein the first planetary gear set includes a first planet carrier, a first set of planet gears mounted to the first planet carrier and driven by the sun gear, and a first ring gear engaged to the first set of planet gears, and which includes a first locking mechanism movable from an engaged position in which the first locking mechanism engages the first planet carrier to prevent rotation of the first planet carrier relative to the first locking mechanism to a disengaged position in which the first locking mechanism is disengaged from the first planet carrier.
18. The strapping device of claim 17 , wherein the motor is operatively connected to the rocker when the first locking mechanism is engaged to the first planet carrier.
19. The strapping device of claim 16 , wherein the second planetary gear set includes a second planet carrier, a second set of planet gears mounted to the second planet carrier and driven by the sun gear, and a second ring gear engaged to the second set of planet gears.
20. The strapping device of claim 19 , wherein the motor is operatively connected to the tensioning wheel when the second locking mechanism is engaged to the second ring gear.
21. A strapping device for strapping packaged goods with a strap, said strapping device comprising:
a base;
a tensioning plate supported by the base;
a rocker pivotably mounted to the base about a rocker axis;
a tensioning wheel supported by the rocker, the tensioning wheel being rotatable about a tensioning axis and engageable with the strap when the strap is disposed on the tensioning plate;
a motor;
a strap connecting device drivable by the motor; and
gearing operatively connecting the rocker and the tensioning wheel to the motor,
wherein the gearing includes a sun gear driven by the motor, a first planetary gear set driven by the sun gear and used to operatively connect the motor to the rocker, and a second planetary gear set driven by the sun gear and used to operatively connect the motor to the tensioning wheel, wherein the second planetary gear set includes a second planet carrier, a second set of planet gears mounted to the second planet carrier and driven by the sun gear, and a second ring gear engaged to the second set of planet gears, and which includes a second locking mechanism movable from an engaged position in which the second locking mechanism contacts the second ring gear to prevent rotation of the second ring gear relative to the second locking mechanism to a disengaged position in which the second locking mechanism does not contact is disengaged from the second ring gear, and
wherein the motor is operable in a first direction of rotation in a first mode and a second opposite direction of rotation in a second mode, and the first direction of rotation in the first mode causes: (a) pivoting of the rocker about the rocker axis to increase a distance between the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate, and (b) rotation of the tensioning wheel about the tensioning axis.
22. The strapping device of claim 19 , which includes a second locking mechanism movable from an engaged position in which the second locking mechanism engages the second ring gear to prevent rotation of the second ring gear relative to the second locking mechanism to a disengaged position in which the second locking mechanism is disengaged from the second ring gear.