Levelling device

Abstract

A levelling device for a strip of material contains a first cassette frame unit having a plurality of first levelling rollers with juxtaposed axes of rotation spaced by a first pitch substantially greater than a first diameter of the rollers, each of the rollers having one extremity coupled and driven individually by a motor torque transmission extender. A second cassette frame unit is interchangeable with the first cassette frame unit and contains a plurality of second levelling rollers with juxtaposed axes of rotation spaced by a second pitch substantially greater than the second diameter of the second rollers. A motor drive drives a plurality of motor torque transmission outputs to each of the extenders. The second cassette frame unit includes a torque distribution module disposed and coupled between one extremity of at least one of the extenders and at least two juxtaposed extremities of the second rollers.

1 . A device for levelling a strip of material, the device comprising:
 a plurality of extenders being motor torque transmission extenders outputting a plurality of motor torque transmission outputs;   a first cassette frame unit having a plurality of first levelling rollers with juxtaposed axes of rotation spaced by a first pitch substantially greater than a first diameter of said first levelling rollers, each of said first levelling rollers having one extremity coupled and driven individually by one of said motor torque transmission extenders;   at least one second cassette frame unit being interchangeable with said first cassette frame unit and having a plurality of second levelling rollers with juxtaposed axes of rotation spaced by a second pitch substantially greater than a second diameter of said second levelling rollers;   a motor drive driving the plurality of motor torque transmission outputs for each of said extenders;   said first diameter being greater than said second diameter; and   said second cassette frame unit having at least one torque distribution module disposed and coupled between one extremity of at least one of said extenders and at least two juxtaposed extremities of said second rollers.   
     
     
         2 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second cassette frame units are detachable from a set of said extenders such that they can be swapped without disconnecting said set of said extenders rigidly connected to said motor drive. 
     
     
         3 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein said torque distribution module has at least two coupling outputs incorporating shaped hollow shafts to enable a transmission of torque, each of said coupling outputs being press-fittable to a portion of said extremity of said second rollers adapted to a same shape. 
     
     
         4 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least one second cassette frame unit has bearings;   said extenders have female sleeves; and   said at least one torque distribution module is one of a plurality of torque distribution modules, at least one of said torque distribution modules is floatingly assembled in relation to said bearings supporting said second levelling rollers of said second cassette frame unit and has an input shaft with a shaped extremity to enable a transmission of torque and coupling/uncoupling by simple insertion into said female sleeve of one of said extenders disposed opposite said input shaft.   
     
     
         5 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein in said second cassette frame unit, at least two of said second levelling rollers associated with said torque distribution module, have a same attachment interfaces and connections as said first cassette frame unit fitted on said first levelling rollers. 
     
     
         6 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second cassette frame units have bearing configurations to position said first and second rollers, said bearings also positioning said torque distribution module such that bench lengths of said first and second levelling rollers are one of similar or identical. 
     
     
         7 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein said torque distribution module has a number of outputs varying from 2 to 4. 
     
     
         8 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said torque distribution module has a drive input; and   said extenders have end sleeves, said end sleeves closest to said first and second cassette frame units can be moved in two dimensions in a vertical and/or horizontal plane to enable a connection either to an extremity of said first rollers or to said drive input of said torque distribution module in dependence on a pitch between said rollers and the diameters the rollers.   
     
     
         9 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor drive includes means for distributing torque to said extenders in dependence on dimensional features, mechanical properties, a flatness of a levelled product, a configuration of said first and second cassette frame units, and a connection of said first and second cassette frame units. 
     
     
         10 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor drive is one of a plurality of motor drives and each of said extenders is coupled to a single one of said motor drives. 
     
     
         11 . The levelling device according to  claim 1 , wherein said second cassette frame unit is configured to admit a mixed configuration of said first rollers and said second rollers coupled to said at least one torque distribution module. 
     
     
         12 . The levelling device according to  claim 5 , wherein said interfaces and connections attach to said extenders.