Tension control device and continuous web processing method using same

Abstract

The present invention provides a tension control device including a dancer for controlling the tension of a web by applying force to the web, wherein the dancer includes a first ultrasonic vibration unit, the first ultrasonic vibration unit carries out ultrasonic-vibration and applies the force to the web in a non-contact state by applying repulsive force according to the ultrasonic vibration thereof. In addition, the present invention provides a continuous web processing method, comprising the steps of: controlling the tension of the web by using the tension control device; and processing the tension-controlled web.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tension adjustment device comprising:
 a dancer that adjusts a tension of a web by applying a force to the web,   the dancer comprising a first ultrasonic vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibrations and applies the force to the web in a non-contact manner by applying a repelling force induced from the ultrasonic vibrations to the web.   
     
     
         2 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the web comprises thin glass. 
     
     
         3 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first ultrasonic vibrator forms a circle, or a portion of the outer surface of the first ultrasonic vibrator that faces the web defines an open curve along a lengthwise direction of the web. 
     
     
         4 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support unit supporting the web in a fixed position, the support unit comprising a second ultrasonic vibrator, wherein
 the first ultrasonic vibrator applies the repelling force to a first surface of the web, and the second ultrasonic vibrator generates ultrasonic vibrations and applies repelling force induced from the ultrasonic vibrations thereof to a second surface that is a rear surface of the first surface, thereby supporting the web in a non-contact manner.   
     
     
         5 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spring, one end of the spring being coupled with the dancer, and the other end of the spring being connected to a fixed point. 
     
     
         6 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a link, one end of the link being hinge-coupled with the dancer, and the other end of the link being hinge-connected to a fixed point. 
     
     
         7 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a link, one end of the link being coupled with the dancer, and the other end of the link being coupled with a piston of a cylinder. 
     
     
         8 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising top and bottom links that are coupled with the dancer, in opposite directions towards both surfaces of the web, wherein
 one end of the top link is coupled with the dancer, and the other end of the top link is coupled with a piston of a top cylinder, and   one end of the bottom link is coupled with the dancer, and the other end of the bottom link is coupled with a piston of a bottom cylinder.   
     
     
         9 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a first link, a tilt link and a second link, the first and tilt links respectively being hinge-coupled with both widthwise ends of the dancer along a width of the web, and the second link being hinge-coupled with the tilt link, wherein
 one end of the first link is hinge-coupled with the dancer, and the other end of the first link is coupled with a piston of a first cylinder,   one end of the tilt link is hinge-coupled with the dancer, and   one end of the second link is hinge-coupled with the other end of the tilt link, and the other end of the second link is coupled with a piston of a second cylinder.   
     
     
         10 . The tension adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 first top and bottom links hinge-coupled with one widthwise end of the dancer along a width of the web, the first top and bottom links being disposed in opposite directions towards both surfaces of the web;   a tilt link hinge-coupled with the other widthwise end of the dancer;   second top and bottom links hinge-coupled with the tilt link, wherein   one end of the first top link is hinge-coupled with the one widthwise end of the dancer, and the other end of the first top link is coupled with a piston of a first top cylinder,   one end of the first bottom link is hinge-coupled with the one widthwise end of the dancer, and the other end of the first bottom link is coupled with a piston of a first bottom cylinder,   one end of the tilt link is hinge-coupled with the other widthwise end of the dancer,   one end of the second top link is hinge-coupled with the other end of the tilt link, and the other end of the second top link is coupled with a piston of a second top cylinder, and   one end of the second bottom link is hinge-coupled with the other end of the tilt link, and the other end of the second bottom link is coupled with a piston of a second bottom cylinder.   
     
     
         11 . A continuous web processing method comprising:
 adjusting a tension of a web using the tension adjustment device as claimed in  claim 1 ; and   processing the tension-adjusted web.   
     
     
         12 . The continuous web processing method according to  claim 11 , wherein processing the tension-adjusted web comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of shaping, cutting, polishing, printing on, coating, cleaning and examining the web. 
     
     
         13 . The continuous web processing method according to  claim 11 , comprising a roll-to-roll process or a roll-to-sheet process.