EP1051269B1 - Device for aligning a band, especially a metal band - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an alignment device of tapes, especially metal tapes, with at least two arranged in different levels Conveyor tracks over which the belts alternately one Processing station can be fed, wherein in Direction of conveyance in front of the processing station Guide role is provided, which on one of the Conveyor lanes conveyed belt to the processing station passes. Such devices are, for example used to get one from a reel on a conveyor in a continuously working production line steel strip fed in with respect to the width of the Center conveyor before it reaches the end of the previous one band processed in the production line becomes. It is usually for this alignment required to apply transverse forces to the belt.

Aligning a flat on a conveyor track tape is particularly difficult when the tape due to its dimensions and Material quality in the transverse direction is high Has rigidity. With such tapes for the centric alignment of particularly high lateral forces be applied. This brings in particular with Centering wide steel strips with the danger that the tapes are loaded with the aligning forces buckle and be damaged.

To solve this problem is in DE-AS 1 245 111 for bands made of wires embedded in rubber have been proposed in the conveyor path of the tapes Arrange device through which a section of the Belt on a conveyor belt under training a loop is raised. The educated one Loop section allows the free end of the strap with center a significantly reduced effort, before it is brought to the processing station. The reason for this is that the loop section of the Tape without the risk of damaging a twist allows and that the location of the front free band end is not yet fixed. In this way, in the Loop section a transverse movement of the free band end compared to that in the conveying direction before Loop section arranged band section be balanced.

A disadvantage of this approach when aligning a Band, however, is that it takes up a lot of space is sufficient to center the tape To provide loop length. This needed Loop length is especially long if it is Band around a steel band of great thickness and one with it associated high inherent rigidity in the belt level is.

Aligning belts is particularly problematic great rigidity when, as in the beginning mentioned prior art known from practice, at least two arranged in different levels Conveyor routes exist over which the belts are promoted alternately. With such The guide roller is needed to fixtures at least the band on one of the levels the feed path deviating level is promoted, so to redirect that it is on the feed path to the Processing station in the for further processing required orientation that moves regardless of Course of the conveyor tracks before the belt enters the station must always be the same. The turns out to be Space required for the formation of the feed path as particularly high because the state of the art Loop length adds the length of the tape which is used for the Redirection of the belt from an offset level is required becomes. The lengths required are roughly proportional to the thickness of the tape.

The object of the invention is simple Means the space requirement of a device of the beginning to reduce the type mentioned.

This task is based on a prior art of the type mentioned solved in that in the area the conveyor tracks each have a device for generating a loop is arranged that is adjacent to the Guide roller is arranged a deflection device from a rest position in which they do not have the tape touched, is movable into a working position in which it the tape lifts off the guide roller and that the Deflection device in the area of its touching the band Contact surfaces is designed such that in the case of a Contact with the tape is essentially transverse Conveying direction of the belt is possible.

According to the invention, it is provided that the area in which the loop is formed, in the area is shifted in which the redirection of the at different levels takes place. Of course, this also applies if one of the conveyor tracks aligned with the feed section of the Processing station is arranged. That way the overall length of a trained according to the invention Device considerably compared to the prior art be reduced. This can be done in many Use cases, for example when aligning thicker Steel strips that reduce the overall length by up to half, because in such cases in the prior art for Redirection and the formation of loops each a distance of the same length is required.

Furthermore, it is provided according to the invention that in the area of the guideways in the conveying direction in front of the Guide role to provide a facility with the one loop on the respective one Conveyor belt conveyor belt can be formed. At the same time, a deflection device is available through which spaces the tape during centering is held to the leadership role. The Deflection means a transverse movement of the belt. To this It is different from what is known in practice, generic state of the art, no more required, a loop in the area of the feed line between the guide roller and the processing station train, but the loop formation can before Leadership role. It stands for the Loop formation not just the length before Guide roller available for aligning the belt, but the tape can be guided past the guide roller before it is aligned. That way the length of the guideway before the guiding role and the Distance between the guide roller and the Processing station can also be shortened. A Damage to the surface of the guide roller by the Cross movement of the belt is also safely avoided, since no contact between the Leadership role and the tape exists.

A practical, easy to manufacture The device according to the invention is characterized in that that the position of the guide roller is fixed and the Deflection device from a rest position in which the belt in contact with the guide roller in a working position is movable in which the tape from the guide roller takes off. Such a configuration is particularly then useful if the effort for adjusting the Leading role based on their weight and dimensions would be great.

For example, leave the space or Special features of the band to be aligned Adjustment of the deflection device is not too, so it is favorable to fix the position of the deflection device and the leadership role from a working position in which she touches the tape, in a resting position in which she is lifted off the belt.

An advantageous one, especially for the field of Processing of tapes with sensitive surfaces a suitable embodiment of the invention characterized in that the deflection means a plurality of rollers, whose axes of rotation parallel to Direction of conveyance of the belt are aligned and their Circumferential surfaces in the working position, the contact surface form the deflection device. Such roles enable an almost friction-free shifting of the Band, so that such a deflection device can also be used with tapes whose Surface must be protected.

Another practical embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the top and the Underside of the tape each has a guide role is assigned that leadership role that on the opposite side of the deflection Band is arranged from a working position in which she touches the tape, in a resting position in which she is lifted off the belt, is adjustable and that the Movement of the adjustable guide roller with the movement the deflection device is coupled such that the adjustable guide roller in case of contact between the Deflection device and the belt in its rest position located. The arrangement known from practice one leadership role each on the top and the Bottom of the band allows a particularly accurate Leading the tape. By the on the the Deflection device arranged opposite side Guide roller is lifted off the belt when the belt centered, it is ensured that this role too is not damaged when centering the belt. About that In addition, this lift-off frees up a space in if necessary, the tape from the deflection device Distance to the other guide roller pressed can be.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten eines Stahlbandes in einer ersten Betriebstellung in seitlicher Ansicht;

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten eines Stahlbandes in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung in seitlicher Ansicht;

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten eines Stahlbandes in einer dritten Betriebsstellung in seitlicher Ansicht;

Fig. 4

die Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten eines Stahlbandes in der ersten Betriebsstellung in einem Schnitt entlang der in den Fig. 1 und 2 eingezeichneten Schnittlinie I-I;

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten eines Stahlbandes in der zweiten Betriebsstellung in einem Schnitt entlang der in den Fig. 1 und 2 eingezeichneten Schnittlinie I-I.

Automation of the alignment process can be carried out particularly easily if a control device is provided which controls the relative position of the deflection device and guide roller during an alignment process. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment. They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a device for aligning a steel strip in a first operating position in a side view;

Fig. 2

the device for aligning a steel strip in a second operating position in a side view;

Fig. 3

the device for aligning a steel strip in a third operating position in a side view;

Fig. 4

the device for aligning a steel strip in the first operating position in a section along the section line II drawn in FIGS. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5

the device for aligning a steel strip in the second operating position in a section along the section line II shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The device for aligning a steel strip B is Part of a production line in which the steel strip B is processed. The device in the conveying direction F upstream are, for example, two not shown Decoilers, of which the steel strip B in the Device is fed.

Each of the uncoilers is not shown each assigned a conveyor track 1,2, of which the first conveyor track 1 is arranged horizontally. The second Conveyor track 2 is above the first conveyor track 1 arranged and inclined to the first, with its rear end in the conveying direction F of the belt B. 2a lies lower than its front end in the conveying direction F. 2 B. Between the rear end 2a and it assigned rear end 1a of the first conveyor track 1 there is a distance a in the vertical direction. This Distance a enables one on the first conveyor track 1 conveyed steel belt B unimpeded at the front end 2a to pass the second conveyor track 2.

A lifting device 3, 4 is located on each conveyor track 1, 2 attached. This consists of roles 5, which are rotatably supported at one end of pivot levers 6. With their other end, the swivel levers 6 are on the respective conveyor track 1.2 pivotally attached. By a pivoting of the rollers 5 of the respective Lifting device 3.4 in the conveyor path can do that on the steel conveyor B located below the respective conveyor track 1,2 Formation of a loop S in a loop section be raised (Fig. 2).

At each conveyor track 1,2 are in the range of their respective rear end 1a or 2a laterally Alignment devices 7 and 8 arranged. Practice this via not shown pressure elements for centric Align the steel strip B based on the width of the Conveyor tracks 1.2 lateral forces on the steel belt B out.

Both conveyor tracks 1, 2 end in the conveying direction F at one Table 10. The table 10 is attached to a holder 11, which is pivotable about a pivot bearing 12 on one Frame 12 is held. On the holder 11 is above in addition, a first guide roller 13 rotatably mounted is arranged below the steel strip B and transversely extends to the conveying direction F over its width. Above the steel strip B is a second guide roller 14 arranged, which is also across the width of the Steel strip B extends. The upper guide roller 14 is rotatably mounted on a holder 15 which is fixed with one in the conveying direction F with a distance behind the Guide rollers 13, 14 arranged frame wall 16 of the Frame 12 is connected. The steel strip B is through the Guide rollers 13, 14 horizontally through one in the Frame wall 16 formed deflection gap 17 in Direction of conveyance F downstream, not shown Processing station fed.

In the by the spaced arrangement of the frame wall 16 and the guide roller 14 formed space is one Deflection device 20 arranged. This shows one transversely to the direction of conveyance F of the steel strip B via its Width extending and above the steel strip B arranged roller cage 21. In the roller cage 21 are stored a plurality of rollers 22, the Axis of rotation 22a parallel to the conveying direction F such is arranged that the rollers 22 on the steel belt B put on and across the conveying direction F on the steel belt B can roll. The roller cage 21 is vertical aligned lifting rods 23, which are part of hydraulically, mechanically or pneumatically operated Actuators 24 are.

The actuating devices 24 are fixed to the frame wall 16 attached and with a not shown Control device connected. This control device monitors and controls the relative location of the Deflection device 20 and the guide roller 14 and the Swivel position of the holder 11 with the attached to it Table 10 and guide roller 13.

To align the steel strip B, this is first stopped after being in not yet aligned Condition with its beginning through the deflection gap 17 has been funded. Then a Swiveling the holder 11, the table 10 and the Leadership role 13 from their working position in which they touch the steel strip B (Fig. 1,3,4), in a Rest position moved, in which it from the steel belt B are lifted off (Fig. 2.5). Thereupon the roller basket 21 lowered with the rollers 22. The roles set 22 on the steel strip B and push it in the direction by the pivoting of the guide roller 13 free space underneath the steel strip B. On this Way, the steel strip B from the upper guide roller 14 lifted off (Fig. 3.5).

As soon as the steel strip B stops the guide roller 14 touched (Fig. 3.5), the steel strip B is applied of forces Q directed transversely to the conveying direction F. with respect to the width x of the deflection gap 16 or Centered conveyor tracks 1,2. The rollers 22 roll on the steel belt B and thus enable one unhindered transverse movement of the steel strip B.

After the alignment process is complete, the roller basket 21 the deflection device 20 with the rollers 22 raised until the deflection device 20 again in its Rest position. At the same time, the lower one Guide roller 13 and the table 10 back in their Working position swiveled.

Claims (7)

1. A device for aligning strips (B), particularly metal strips, having at least two conveyor tracks (1, 2) located in different planes, via which the strips (B) can alternately be fed to a processing station, with at least one guide roller (14) being provided before the processing station in the direction of conveyance (F) which guides the strip (B) to the processing station,
   characterized in that

   a device (3, 4) for producing a loop (S) is located in the region of each of the conveyor tracks (1, 2),

   a deflection device (20) is located neighboring the guide roller (14) which can be moved from a rest position, in which it does not touch the strip, into an operating position, in which it lifts the strip (B) from the guide roller (14), and

   the deflection device (20) is implemented in the region of its contact surfaces, which touch the strip (B), in such a way that, in case of contact with the strip (B), an alignment motion of the strip (B) essentially transverse to the direction of conveyance (F) is allowed.
2. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the position of the guide roller (14) is fixed and the deflection device (20) can be moved from a rest position, in which the strip (B) presses against the guide roller (14), into an operating position, in which it lifts the strip (B) from the guide roller (14).
3. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the position of the deflection device (20) is fixed and the guide roller (14) can be moved from an operating position, in which it touches the strip (B), into a rest position, in which it is lifted from the strip (B).
4. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the deflection device (20) has multiple rollers (22), whose axes of rotation (22a) are aligned parallel to the direction of conveyance (F) of the strip (B) and whose lateral surfaces form the contact surfaces of the deflection device (20) in the operating position.
5. The device according to claim 4,
   characterized in that
   the rollers (22) are supported in a roller cage (21).
6. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that

   the upper and lower sides of the strip (B) are each allocated a guide roller (13, 14),

   the guide roller (13) which is located on the side of the strip (B) opposite to the deflection device (20) can be adjusted from an operating position, in which it touches the strip (B), into a rest position, in which it is lifted from the strip (B), and

   the movement of the adjustable guide roller (13) is coupled with the movement of the deflection device (20) in such a way that the adjustable guide roller (13) is in its rest position during contact between the deflection device (20) and the strip (B).
7. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized by a control device which controls the relative adjustment of the deflection device (20) and the guide rollers (13, 14).

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