Strapping device having a pivotable rocker
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 comprising:
a rotatable tensioning wheel rotatable in a tensioning direction to tension a strap;
a rocker supporting a tensioning plate, wherein the tensioning wheel and the rocker are arranged such that two layers of the strap are positionable between the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate, and wherein the rocker is pivotable relative to the tensioning wheel from a first rocker position to a second rocker position to move the tensioning plate away from the tensioning wheel;
a rocker mover rotatable to force the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position;
a first gear component operably connected to the rocker mover to rotate the rocker mover; and
a motor operably connected to the first gear component to drive the first gear component.
2. The strapping device of claim 1 , further comprising a shaft and a rotatable component fixed in rotation with the shaft,
wherein the rotatable component is rotatable to force the rocker mover to rotate,
wherein the first gear component is operably connected to the shaft to rotate the shaft and the rotatable component.
3. The strapping device of claim 2 , wherein rotation of the rotatable component causes the rotatable component to engage the rocker mover and rotate the rocker mover to force the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.
4. The strapping device of claim 3 , wherein rotation of the rotatable component causes the rocker mover to rotate in the tensioning direction.
5. The strapping device of claim 4 , wherein the tensioning wheel and the rotatable component are both rotatable about a first rotational axis.
6. The strapping device of claim 5 , wherein the shaft and the rotatable element are both rotatable about a second rotational axis.
7. The strapping device of claim 6 , wherein the first and second rotational axes are spaced apart and substantially parallel.
8. The strapping device of claim 3 , wherein the rotatable component comprises a spur gear.
9. The strapping device of claim 8 , wherein the rocker mover comprises external toothing drivingly engaged by the spur gear.
10. The strapping device of claim 2 , further comprising a second gear component fixed in rotation with the shaft, wherein the first gear component is operably connected to the second gear component such that rotation of the first gear component rotates the second gear component, the shaft, and the rotatable component.
11. The strapping device of claim 10 , wherein the first gear component is drivingly engaged to the second gear component.
12. The strapping device of claim 10 , wherein the tensioning wheel and the rotatable component are both rotatable about a first rotational axis, wherein the second gear component, the shaft, and the rotatable element are all rotatable about a second rotational axis.
13. The strapping device of claim 12 , wherein the first and second rotational axes are spaced apart and substantially parallel.
14. The strapping device of claim 13 , wherein rotation of the rotatable component causes the rocker mover to rotate in the tensioning direction.
15. The strapping device of claim 10 , wherein the second gear component comprises a circular arc segment comprising external toothing.
16. The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the first gear component comprises a ring gear comprising external toothing.
17. The strapping device of claim 1 , further comprising a spring biasing the rocker to the first rocker position.
18. The strapping device of claim 1 , further comprising an input device actuatable to activate the motor to drive the first gear component to cause the first gear component to rotate the rocker mover to force the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.
19. The strapping device of claim 18 , further comprising a shaft and a rotatable component fixed in rotation with the shaft,
wherein the rotatable component is rotatable to engage the rocker mover and force the rocker mover to rotate to force the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position,
wherein the first gear component is operably connected to the shaft to rotate the shaft and the rotatable component.
20. The strapping device of claim 19 , wherein the tensioning wheel and the rotatable component are both rotatable about a first rotational axis, wherein the shaft and the rotatable element are both rotatable about a second rotational axis.
21. The strapping device of claim 1 , further comprising a friction-welding device movable between a release position and a welding position.
22. The strapping device of claim 21 , wherein the motor is operably connected to the friction-welding device to move the friction-welding device from the release position to the welding position.
23. The strapping device of claim 22 , wherein the motor comprises a drive shaft rotatable in a first rotational direction to cause the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position and in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, the strapping device further comprising a transmission mechanism operably connecting the drive shaft of the motor to the friction-welding device such that rotation of the drive shaft in the second rotational direction actuates the transmission mechanism to move the friction-welding device from the release position to the welding position.
24. The strapping device of claim 23 , wherein the friction-welding device comprises a weld shoe, wherein the motor is operably connected to the weld shoe to oscillate the weld shoe when the drive shaft is rotated in the second rotational direction.
25. The strapping device of claim 1 , further comprising a gearing operably connecting the motor to the rocker, wherein the motor is operably connected to the tensioning wheel via the gearing to rotate the tensioning wheel, wherein the gearing comprises the first gear component.
26. The strapping device of claim 25 , further comprising one or more clamping elements movable from a first configuration to a second configuration to switch the gearing from a first state in which the gearing operably connects the motor to the tensioning wheel to cause the tensioning wheel to rotate to a second state in which the gearing operably connects the motor to the rocker to cause the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position.
27. The strapping device of claim 26 , wherein the gearing comprises a ring gear and a planet carrier, wherein when the gearing is in the first state the planet carrier is rotatable and at least one of the one or more clamping elements prevents the ring gear from rotating, and wherein when the gearing is in the second state at least one of the one or more clamping elements prevents the planet carrier from rotating and the ring gear is rotatable.
28. The strapping device of claim 27 , wherein the one or more clamping elements comprise a first clamping element and a second clamping element, wherein the first clamping element is movable from a disengaged position in which the first clamping element does not prevent the planet carrier from rotating to an engaged position in which the first clamping element prevents the planet carrier from rotating, wherein the second clamping element is movable from a disengaged position in which the second clamping element does not prevent the ring gear from rotating to an engaged position in which the second clamping element prevents the ring gear from rotating.