KR100470625B1 - Adjustable length conveyor system - Google Patents

Abstract

Conveyor assemblies and methods for transporting and storing strip material in a conveyor system that cause changes in the length of the strip material due to intermittent operation can be achieved by adjusting the upper conveyor 16 and the substantially adjustable adjustable for receiving the strip material 34 from the upper conveyor. A horizontal central conveyor 22 and a lower conveyor 28 for receiving associated strip material from the central conveyor. The computer 94 controls the movement and rotation of the central conveyor, and the loop detection device on the central conveyor may detect the loop 90 in the strip material conveyed by the central conveyor, so that it is not predetermined by the computer. The change in length of the strip material. Servo mechanism 100, actuated by signals received from a computer or loop detection device, moves the central conveyor in a substantially horizontal direction.

Description

Conveyor assembly, conveying method of related strip material and adjusting length of conveyor system {ADJUSTABLE LENGTH CONVEYOR SYSTEM}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for adjusting the length of a conveyor system to compensate for changes in the length of strip material caused by intermittent supply or change in feed rate, in particular strips that generally move in a horizontal position during length adjustment A method and apparatus for supporting ashes.

Conventionally, vertical festoons are used to adjust the length of the conveyor system to compensate for the intermittent supply of strip material to meet various production requirements. However, when vertical fastening is used, the strip material is not supported and is stretched by its own weight. This elongation of the strip material is undesirable when assembling a product such as a tire. One such conveyor of strip material is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,892,609 to Nakanome et al., Which discloses an automatic material feeder in a tire forming apparatus. The apparatus has a conventional vertical fastener for supporting the assembly of the tire assembly. In EP-A-0 464 862, conveyors 76 and 78 are movable, but no faston has been provided for the storage of materials. In addition, in US Pat. No. 5,451,011, loop detection means are provided for steel or aluminum strip unwinding devices in which strip support is not essential.

If the conveyor of strip material does not have the feature of compensating for the length change of the strip material caused by the intermittent supply, for example the extruder must be stopped and started to compensate for the supply change. Such starting and stopping can cause undesirable variations in the strip material.

The Applicant has recognized that there is a need to provide a control device and method that does not stretch strip material and does not create or add additional stress to the strip material.

The present invention contemplates new and improved adjustments for conveyor systems that overcome the above and other disadvantages, while being simple in design, efficient in use, and providing a number of advantageous results overall.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, a new and improved adjustable and substantially horizontal conveyor is provided, which compensates for changes in the length of the strip material conveyed with intermittent supply without changing the weight or shape of the strip material.

In particular, according to the present invention, a conveyor assembly is provided for transporting and storing related strip material in a conveyor system. The conveyor assembly includes an upper conveyor for storing and transporting associated strip material. The upper conveyor comprises a first conveyor belt and first drive means for driving the first conveyor belt. The upper conveyor is substantially stationary. The central conveyor receives the associated strip material from the upper conveyor and has a second conveyor belt and second drive means for driving the second conveyor belt. The central conveyor is substantially movable along the horizontal path and includes length adjusting means for moving the central conveyor along the path. A lower conveyor is provided for receiving the associated strip material from the central conveyor and comprises a third conveyor belt with third drive means for driving the third conveyor belt. The lower conveyor is substantially stationary.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a length adjustable conveyor for storing a length of a variable strip material in a conveyor system, the conveyor system comprising supply means for supplying the associated strip material to the length adjustable conveyor, said length The adjustable conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, drive means for driving the conveyor belt (the length adjustable conveyor is movable along a substantially horizontal path), and power supply means for moving the length adjustable conveyor along the path, The conveyor system includes take away means for receiving associated strip material from the length adjustable conveyor.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of conveying associated strip material along a conveyor assembly, said conveyor assembly comprising an upper conveyor with a first conveyor belt and a first drive means, a second conveyor belt and a first conveyor. A central length adjustable conveyor with two drive means, and a lower conveyor with a third conveyor belt and third drive means, the method comprising: an associated strip in a first direction along an upper conveyor with first drive means; Conveying the ash, conveying the associated strip material to the central length conveyor, and moving the central length conveyor along a substantially parallel path to adjust the length of the conveyor assembly in accordance with the change in length of the associated strip material. And a first room along a central length adjusting conveyor having second drive means for the associated strip material. And it comprises the step of conveying in the second direction opposite to the step of carrying the associated strip material to the lower conveyor and, transferring the associated strip material in a first direction along a bottom conveyor provided with a third drive means.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of adjusting the length of a conveyor system to compensate for changes in length of associated strips in the conveyor system, the conveyor system comprising a length adjustable conveyor having a conveyor belt and drive means. And a supply means and a discharge means, the method comprising supplying the associated strip material to the length conveyor with the supply means, and the lengthwise conveyor in a substantially parallel direction in accordance with the change in length of the associated strip material in the conveyor system. Moving, conveying the associated strip material along at least a portion of the length adjustable conveyor with drive means, and conveying the associated strip material to the discharge means.

An advantage of the present invention is that the conveyor system can make adjustments to various lengths of strip material in the system caused by the difference in feed and discharge rates, including stops at the discharge position.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the conveyor system can control the change in length of the strip material in the system without changing the stress on the strip material.

Still other advantages and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

The present invention may take the physical form and arrangement of parts of a particular component, and preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the specification and accompanying drawings, which form part of the invention.

1 shows a central conveyor in a retracted position, a schematic side view of a conveyor assembly representing the present invention,

2 shows a central conveyor in an extended position, a schematic side view of the conveyor assembly of FIG. 1,

3 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention using a proximity switch, a partial enlarged view of a central conveyor,

4 is a schematic side view of the conveyor assembly of FIG. 1 with proximity switches at the ends of a central conveyor and an upper conveyor.

Referring now to the drawings, the drawings of the present invention illustrate, but are not limited to, preferred embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conveyor assembly 10 embodying the system of the present invention. The conveyor assembly 10 preferably includes an upper conveyor 16, a central conveyor 22 and a lower conveyor 28. The strip material 34 made of rubber or other deformable material is conveyed by the conveyor assembly 10 to the supply location 40, ie from the extruder to the discharge location 46 along the path 44, thereby stripping the strip material. Supply to devices such as applicators. The strip material 34 is conveyed from the supply position 40 over the upper conveyor 16 in the first direction, which is the direction of arrow A, by the conveyor belt 52 driven by the first servomotor 58. Next, the strip material 34 is transferred to the central conveyor 22, preferably by dropping the strip material onto the central conveyor on the end 60 of the upper conveyor 16, where the strip material is indicated by the arrow B. Is moved in a second direction, i.e., the reverse direction of the first direction. The strip material 34 is turned and transported on the central conveyor 22 on the conveyor belt 64 driven by the second servomotor 70. The strip material 34 is then conveyed from the leading end 72 of the central conveyor 22 to the lower conveyor 28, preferably by dropping the strip material onto the lower conveyor at the end of the central conveyor. It is conveyed in the direction of arrow A, which is the reverse direction of the second direction, and is turned to the same position as in the upper conveyor 16 so as to face up. The lower conveyor 28 transfers the strip material 34 to the discharge position 46 in the first direction in the direction of the arrow A along the conveyor belt 76 driven by the third servomotor 82.

The upper conveyor 16 conveys the strip material 34 at the upper conveyor speed S1, which is equal to the speed at which the strip material is provided at the supply position 40. The lower conveyor 28 conveys the strip material 34 at the lower conveyor speed S2, which is equal to the speed at which the strip material is discharged at the discharge position 46. When the speed S1 is equal to the speed S2, the central conveyor 22 transfers the strip material 34 at the speed S1 and the same speed S3 as the speed S2. If the speed of the strip material 34 at the discharge position 46 needs to be reduced, that is, if the supply of the strip material is intermittent or reduced, the speed S2 is reduced. If the speed S1 of the upper conveyor 16 cannot be adjusted to compensate for the speed S2 reduction, the strip material 34 will retract along the conveyor assembly 10. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a computer 94 is used to control the servomotor 70 that drives the central conveyor belt 64. The central conveyor 22 may be supported on a frame mounted on a servo mechanism 100, such as a belt driven liner actuator, which may move the frame and the supported central conveyor in a substantially horizontal direction. A thermo motor for moving back and forth in the directions A and B is provided. If the speed S1 is different from the speed S2, the computer 94 operates the servomotor 70 to rotate the central conveyor belt 64 at the speed S3, the speed S3 being the speed ( It is the average speed of S1) and speed S2 or half of the sum of speeds S1 and S2. The computer 94 is also connected to a servo mechanism 100 which moves the central conveyor 22 at speed S4, which speed S4 is one half of the difference between the speed S3 and the speed S2. Is the same as If the speed S3 is greater than the speed S2, the central conveyor 22 is moved in the direction of the arrow B (second direction). If the speed S2 is larger than the speed S3, the central conveyor 22 is moved in the direction of arrow A (first direction). The speed S4 at which the central conveyor 22 is moved is predetermined for the condition that the speed S2 between the feeds of the strip material 34 is zero and that the speed S2 is greater than the speed S1 during the feeding of the strip material. do. In addition, the photosensor 88 is located near the end 72 of the central conveyor 22 such that the loop 90 (shown in dashed lines) is the speed S2 of the lower conveyor 28 being the speed of the upper conveyor ( It is detected whether it is formed due to the decrease in tension of the strip material 34 as it becomes smaller than S1), and the case where the computer 94 does not correct for this reduced tension of the strip material. When the loop 90 is detected, the computer 94 receives a signal from the optical sensor 88, so that the servo mechanism 100 moves the central conveyor 22 in the direction of arrow B (second direction) for a predetermined time. ) To adjust the length of the strip material 34 by restoring the sagging of the strip material.

2 is a schematic view of a conveyor assembly 10 with a central conveyor 22, in which the central conveyor 22 is moved to the right and acts as a length adjusting conveyor by increasing the length of the path 44 so that the strip material The increased length of the strip material 34 in the system as it is moved along the conveyor assembly 10. In FIG. 2, the servo mechanism 100 has moved the central conveyor 22 in the direction of arrow B (second direction) from the direction of the computer 94, or after the sensor 88 detects the loop 90. Moved. This movement increases the length of the path 44 to compensate for the increased length of the strip material 34 in the system and allows the conveyor assembly 10 to support the strip material without increasing the tension of the strip material. This is particularly important for materials such as extruded rubber that are sensitive to deformation under tension.

Referring further to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the loop 90 is detected by the optical sensor 88 in communication with the computer 94, a signal is transmitted from the computer to the servomechanism 100 to provide a central conveyor 22. Is preferably moved at a speed S4 corresponding to 1/2 of the difference between the speed S3 and the speed S2. When the speed S2 is smaller than the speed S3, the central conveyor 22 is moved in the direction of the arrow B (second direction), and when the speed S2 is larger than the speed S3, the central conveyor 22 is moved. Is moved in the direction of the arrow A (first direction). When the sensor 88 no longer detects the loop 90 of the strip material 34, the computer 94 transmits a signal to the servomechanism 100 to move the central conveyor 22 in the direction of the arrow A (first). 1 direction). When the loop 90 is detected again by the sensor 88 at the strip 34, the computer 94 once again transmits a signal to the servomechanism 100 to move the central conveyor in the direction of arrow B (second). Direction). This process of moving the central conveyor 22 back and forth keeps the conveyor assembly 10 in an equilibrium position and the tension on the strip material 34 remains substantially constant.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a sensor for a loop 90, in which the proximity switch 106 is arranged at the end 72 of the central conveyor 22 to loop the strip material 34. Detect. Proximity switch 106 includes a roller 108 attached to metal contact 112. The roller 108 is guided by slides 114, 116 located on the sides 120, 122 of the central conveyor 22. The roller 108 is pulled in the direction of arrow A (first direction) by the tension of the strip material 34, and in the direction of arrow B (second direction) by the springs 132 and 134 connected to the roller. Is pulled. The metal contacts 112 move back and forth between the two contacts 124 and 126 to form a switch. When the speed S1 is equal to the speed S2, the proximity switch 106 is in an equilibrium position and the metal contact is placed between the two contacts 124, 126. When the speed S1 is greater than the speed S2, the loop 90 is formed around the proximity switch 106, and the tension on the roller 108 is reduced, so that the springs 132, 134 hold the roller. Pull, the metal contact 112 engages the contact 124, thereby connecting the circuit with the power supply 118 and the detection device 140. Next, the detection device 140 operates the servo mechanism 100 (see FIG. 2) to move the central conveyor 22 at a speed S4 corresponding to half of the difference between the speed S3 and the speed S2. By adjusting the length of the path of the strip material, the path 44 of the strip material 34 is adjusted. If the speed S2 is greater than the speed S1, a significant amount of tension is exerted on the roller 108. The tension on the roller 108 overcomes the pulling of the springs 132, 134, and the metal contact 112 engages the contact 126, thus including the power supply 118 and the detection device 142. Connect the circuit. Next, the detection device 142 operates the servo mechanism 100 (see FIG. 2) to drive the central conveyor 22 at a speed S4 corresponding to half of the difference between the speed S3 and the speed S2. By moving in the direction of arrow A shown in Fig. 2 (first direction), the stripped material 34 is retracted by the previous movement of the central conveyor, thereby reducing the length of the path 44 of the strip material.

Referring to FIG. 4, a conveyor assembly 10 is shown having a proximity switch 106 at the tip end 72 of the central conveyor 22. In addition, the second proximity switch 106 ′ is located at the end 60 of the upper conveyor 16. In addition, the second proximity switch 106 ′ detects the loop 152 formed around the end 60 of the upper conveyor 16 so that the conveyor assembly 10 can detect a change in tension of the strip material 34. do. The second proximity switch 106 'includes a roller 108' and contacts 124 ', 126' and is also connected to a servo mechanism 100 which controls the speed S4 of the central conveyor 22.

1, 2, 3 and 4, the conveyor assembly 10 may use one or more central conveyors 22, such that the strip material generated by the intermittent supply of strip material at the discharge position 46. Increase the capacity of the conveyor assembly to accommodate the change in length of 34. Each central conveyor 22 is equipped with either an optical sensor 88 or a proximity switch 106 to detect the loop 90 of strip material 34 at the end of the central conveyor. In addition, the strip material 34 may be supplied to the supply position 40 through the conveyor assembly 10 along a path 44 in a direction opposite to that described so far. The computer may be connected to the servomechanism 100 of the central conveyor 22 to control the movement of the central conveyor during intermittent operation of the lower conveyor 28.

While specific embodiments have been shown to illustrate the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (22)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete A conveyor assembly for transporting and storing associated strip material in a conveyor system, the conveyor assembly comprising a first conveyor belt and a first drive means for driving the first conveyor belt, and having substantially the same strip material. A conveyor assembly comprising a top conveyor that is stationary, A central conveyor for receiving the associated strip material from the upper conveyor, the central conveyor having a second conveyor belt and second driving means for driving the second conveyor belt, the central conveyor being movable along a substantially horizontal path; Length adjusting means for moving said central conveyor along said path; A lower conveyor that is substantially stationary, the associated strip material being received from the central conveyor and having a third conveyor belt and third drive means for driving the third conveyor belt. Conveyor assembly. The method of claim 13, The length adjusting means, Loop detection means for detecting a loop in said associated strip material conveyed by said central conveyor; And a servo mechanism for moving the central conveyor along the path in response to the signal received from the loop detection means. Conveyor assembly. A method of conveying associated strip material along a conveyor assembly, the conveyor assembly comprising an upper conveyor with a first conveyor belt and a first drive means, and a movable central length adjustment with a second conveyor belt and a second drive means. In the conveying method of the associated strip material comprising a conveyor and a lower conveyor having a third conveyor belt and a third drive means, Conveying said associated strip material in a first direction along said upper conveyor with said first drive means; Conveying said associated strip material to said central adjustable conveyor; Moving the central adjustable conveyor along a substantially horizontal path to adjust the length of the conveyor assembly in response to a change in length of the associated strip material in the conveyor assembly; Conveying said associated strip material in a second direction opposite said first direction along said central length adjusting conveyor with said second drive means; Conveying said associated strip material to said lower conveyor; Conveying said associated strip material in said first direction along said lower conveyor with said third drive means. Method of conveying the relevant strip material. A method of adjusting the length of a conveyor system to compensate for changes in the length of an associated strip in the conveyor system, the conveyor system comprising a length adjustable conveyor with a conveyor belt and drive means, a supply means and a discharge means. In the length adjustment method of, Supplying said associated strip material from said supply means to said length adjustable conveyor; Moving the length adjustable conveyor in a substantially horizontal direction in response to a change in length of the associated strip material in the conveyor system; Conveying the associated strip material along at least a portion of the length adjustable conveyor with the drive means; Conveying said associated strip material to said discharge means. How to adjust the length of the conveyor system. delete delete delete delete delete delete