NL2022055B1

NL2022055B1 - Guiding assembly and a method for guiding a travelling strip

Info

Publication number: NL2022055B1
Application number: NL2022055A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Johannes Catharina Van Laar Gerardus
Original assignee: Vmi Holland Bv
Priority date: 2018-11-23
Filing date: 2018-11-23
Publication date: 2020-06-05
Also published as: CN211545410U

Abstract

The invention relates to a guiding assembly and a method for guiding a travelling strip in a travelling direction along a guiding path, wherein the guiding assembly comprises a steering member that is nmvable in a steering movement for steering a position of the travelling strip relative to the guiding path in a lateral direction perpendicular to the travelling direction, wherein the guiding assembly further comprises a follower that is movable j11 a following movement for following the lateral osition of the travelling strip, wherein the guiding assembly comprises a mechanical transmission for mechanically converting the following movement into the steering movement and/or wherein the guiding assembly comprises a support member for supporting the strip relative to the follower.

Description

Guiding assembly and a method for guiding a travelling strip

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a guiding assembly and a method for guiding a travelling strip, in particular a thin strip used in tire building.

US 3,664,561 A discloses a web guiding device for guiding an elongated flexible web in a 'free loop'. The web guiding device comprises a steering roller that is carried by a pivotable framework and a photoelectric or pneumatic sensing device which is spaced apart from the steering roller and its supporting framework, and is adjacent to the path of travel of the web. An actuator in the form of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is provided for pivoting the framework in response to a departure of the web from a desired course of travel, as sensed by the sensing head.

CH 487 719 A discloses a centering device for centering travelling cloth-shaped webs, in particular linen webs. The centering device is provided with a steering roller controlled by a hydraulic cylinder and roller feelers that sense a shift in the path of the web. The roller feelers are interconnected by ropes that are tensioned by a tension spring, which ensures a pressing of the roller feelers to the web. The roller feelers are connected to a control valve that controls the oil supply to the hydraulic cylinder. A spring rod is provided to cut off the oil supply from the control valve to the hydraulic cylinder when the necessary deflection of steering roller is reached, thereby attenuating the movement of the steering roller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disadvantage of the known guiding and centering devices is that the webs are typically not stiff enough in their width direction to drive the correctional movement of the steering roller directly. Hence, the sensing of the departure of the web from its desired course of travel is separated from the driving of the steering roller. In other words; the misalignment of the web and the correction thereof by the steering roller are not directly related to each other.

US 3,664,561 A introduces an electronic link between sensor and actuator while CH 487 719 A uses the roller feelers to control a control valve, which controls a hydraulic cylinder that ultimately controls the steering roller. These relatively complex, indirect controls are vulnerable to detection errors, tolerances, delays and/or malfunctions. Moreover, they are relatively expensive.

A further disadvantage of the centering device as disclosed in CH 487 719 A is that the spring-loaded contact between the roller feelers and the web may still cause damage to the web, in particular when the device is used to center relatively thin webs. As such, the device is unsuitable to center the specific types of strips used in tire building, which have become increasingly thinner over time due to industry demands.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a guiding assembly and a method for guiding a travelling strip, in particular a thin strip used in tire building, wherein at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages can be reduced.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a guiding assembly for guiding a travelling strip in a travelling direction along a guiding path, wherein the guiding assembly comprises a steering member that is movable in a steering movement for steering a position of the travelling strip relative to the guiding path in a lateral direction perpendicular to the travelling direction, wherein the guiding assembly further comprises a follower that is movable in a following movement for following the lateral position of the travelling strip, wherein the guiding assembly comprises a transmission that mechanically couples the follower to the steering member for mechanically converting the following movement of the follower into the steering movement of the steering member.

The term 'mechanical' in the context of the present invention means that the transmission is purely mechanical, i.e. with the use of a chain of components that interact through some form of mechanical interlock. In other words, the mechanical transmission is based on a pure transmission of mechanical energy from the follower to the steering roller, without conversion to hydraulic energy, pneumatic energy and/or electric energy. The mechanical transmission allows for the misalignment of the strip with respect to the guide path and the correction thereof by the steering roller to be directly related to each other. In fact, the correction can be driven by the misalignment of the strip itself. This works particularly well when the strip itself, unlike the webs in the prior art, has sufficient stiffness in the lateral direction to displace the follower, as is the case with relatively thick tire components such as treads, or when the strip is made to behave as a strip with sufficient stiffness, as will be explained in an embodiment hereafter. The direct mechanical relationship can prevent detection errors, tolerances, delays and/or malfunctions.

Preferably, the transmission is a motion transmission. Hence, the mechanical energy can be transferred from the follower to the steering member without changing the nature of the movement, i.e. rotation to rotation.

In a further embodiment the following movement and the steering movement are rotations, wherein the steering member is counter-rotatable with respect to the follower. Hence, a clock-wise rotation of the follower can be converted into a counter-clockwise rotation of the steering roller about the second gear axis, and vice versa. In this manner, the steering roller can effectively steer the strip in the opposite direction with respect to direction in which the strip is deviating from the guide path, thereby at least partially correcting said deviation.

In another preferred embodiment the transmission comprises two or more meshing gears, wherein the follower is coupled to and rotatable together with a first gear of the two or more meshing gears and the steering member is coupled to and rotatable together with a second gear of the two or more meshing gears. The first gear and the second gear, with or without intermediate gears, can effectively convert the following movement into the steering movement.

In a further embodiment thereof the first gear and the second gear are rotatable about a first gear axis and a second gear axis, respectively, wherein the first gear axis and the second gear axis extend perpendicular to the travelling direction and the lateral direction. Consequently, the follower and the steering roller can be rotated about the respective gear axes in a guide plane normal to the respective gear axes.

Preferably, the first gear and the second gear are counter-rotatable. Hence, a clock-wise rotation of the follower about the first gear axis can be converted into a counter-clockwise rotation of the steering roller about the second gear axis, and vice versa. In this manner, the steering roller can effectively steer the strip in the opposite direction with respect to direction in which the strip is deviating from the guide path, thereby at least partially correcting said deviation.

More preferably, the first gear and the second gear are directly meshing with each other. The first gear and the second gear can thus be the only gears in the transmission, thereby greatly simplifying the transmission.

In another embodiment the transmission is arranged for mechanically converting the following movement of the follower into the steering movement of the steering member in a fixed ratio. This can further reduce the complexity of the transmission. Moreover, by fixing the ratio, the transmission can be made more reliable, i.e. less prone to tolerances and/or slipping.

In another embodiment the strip has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge opposite to the first longitudinal edge, wherein the follower comprises a first contact member and a second contact member for contacting the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge, respectively, from opposite sides of the guiding path in the lateral direction. As soon as the strip deviates from the guide path in either lateral direction, one of the contact member will contact the strip and - as a result of said contact - will be displaced by the strip. The follower can thus detect deviations of the strip from the guide path in either lateral direction.

In an embodiment thereof the follower comprises a frame for spacing the first contact member and the second contact member apart over a width distance, wherein the frame is adjustable to adjust the width distance. The width distance can be adjusted to be equal or substantially equal to the width of the strip so that the strip immediately contacts the contact members as soon as it starts to deviate from the guide path.

In a further embodiment thereof the first contact member and the second contact member each comprise one or more first contact rollers and one or more second contact rollers, respectively. The contact rollers can roll along with the travelling strip to reduce friction between the contact rollers and the strip and/or to prevent damage to the longitudinal edges of the strip as a result of the contact. The use of two or more contact rollers per contact member can reduce the surface area of the contact between the contact members and the strip to prevent damage to said strip as a result of the contact.

In an embodiment thereof the first contact roller and the second contact roller are rotatable about a first contact roller axis and a second contact roller axis, respectively, wherein the first contact roller axis and the second contact roller axis extend perpendicular to the travelling direction and the lateral direction. Hence, the contract rollers are in a neutral or substantially neutral orientation with respect to the strip.

In another embodiment the steering movement is a tilt of the steering member about a tilt axis perpendicular to the travelling direction and the lateral direction. The steering member can therefore steer or correct the course of the strip relative to the guide path about said tilt axis .

In an embodiment thereof the guiding assembly is arranged for guiding the strip in a guide plane that is parallel to the travelling direction and the lateral direction, wherein the steering member is a steering roller that is rotatable about a steering roller axis that extends perpendicular to the tilt axis and parallel to the guide plane. By tilting the steering roller about the tilt axis, the steering roller can effectively steer or correct the course of the strip relative to the guide path.

In another embodiment the follower is arranged for following the lateral position of the strip at a following position located downstream of the steering member in the travelling direction. The follower can provide a feedback type correction to the steering roller.

In another embodiment the travelling direction is vertical or substantially vertical. The strip can thus be fed into the guiding assembly under the influence of gravity.

In another embodiment the guiding assembly further comprises a support member at the position where the follower follows the strip for supporting the strip relative to the follower. Preferably, the support member supports the strip in a guide plane that is parallel to the travelling direction and the lateral direction. By guiding the strip relative to the follower, the stability and/or stiffness of said strip at the position where the follower contacts the strip can be increased.

In an embodiment thereof the support member is located opposite to the follower with respect to the guide plane. The support member can thus support the strip from the opposite side of the guide plane.

In a further embodiment thereof the support member is a brush roller with a shaft that is rotatable about a brush roller axis parallel to the lateral direction and a plurality of bristles distributed around the shaft, wherein the plurality of bristles extend radially outwards with respect to the brush roller axis to form a circumferential brush surface for supporting the strip. The plurality of bristles can in combination support the strip around the circumferential brush surface, while each bristle can individually allow movement of the strip.

In an embodiment thereof the plurality of bristles are flexible in the lateral direction. Hence, the individual bristles can considerably reduce or even eliminate friction between the circumferential brush surface and the strip in the lateral direction. Instead, the bristles can simply move with the strip in the lateral direction. Hence, the strip can be made to behave as a relatively stiff or rigid strip that, regardless of its thickness, is sufficiently stiff to displace the follower in the lateral direction. This is particularly convenient when guiding specific types of strips used in tire building, which have become increasingly thinner over time due to industry demands.

In a further embodiment thereof the follower partially protrudes through the circumferential brush surface. Hence, the follower and the bristles slightly overlap each other, while the strip is supported at the circumferential brush surface. In this manner, a distal end of the follower protrudes into the brush roller such that the follower contacts the strip at a contact position spaced apart from said distal end. This can prevent that the strip becomes trapped between said distal end of the follower and the circumferential brush surface.

More in particular, in an embodiment combining the previous embodiment and the embodiment that introduced the contact members, the first contact member and the second contact member are arranged to protrude partially through the circumferential brush surface between the plurality of bristles. The distal ends of the contact members can therefore be kept away from contact with the strip. Instead, the main body of the contact members can contact the strip more reliably, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the longitudinal edges of the strip.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a guiding assembly for guiding a travelling strip in a travelling direction along a guiding path, wherein the guiding assembly comprises a steering member that is movable in a steering movement for steering a position of the strip relative to the guiding path in a lateral direction perpendicular to the travelling direction, wherein the guiding assembly further comprises a follower that is movable in a following movement for following the lateral position of the travelling strip, wherein the guiding assembly comprises a transmission that couples the follower to the steering member for converting the following movement of the follower into the steering movement of the steering member, wherein the guiding assembly further comprises a support member at the position where the follower follows the strip for supporting the strip relative to the follower. Preferably, the support member is arranged for supporting the strip in a guide plane that is parallel to the travelling direction and the lateral direction.

By guiding the strip relative to the follower, the stability and/or stiffness of said strip at the position where the follower contacts the strip can be increased. Hence, deviation of the strip from the guide path can be more reliably and/or more accurately followed by the follower and converted into the steering movement of the steering member.

Preferably, the support member is located opposite to the follower with respect to the guide plane.

In a further embodiment the support member is a brush roller with a shaft that is rotatable about a brush roller axis parallel to the lateral direction and a plurality of bristles distributed around the shaft, wherein the plurality of bristles extend radially outwards with respect to the brush roller axis to form a circumferential brush surface for supporting the strip. The plurality of bristles can in combination support the strip around the circumferential brush surface, while each bristle can individually allow movement of the strip.

In an embodiment thereof the plurality of bristles are flexible in the lateral direction. Hence, the strip can be made to behave as a relatively stiff or rigid strip that, regardless of its thickness, is sufficiently stiff to displace the follower in the lateral direction. This is particularly convenient when guiding specific types of strips used in tire building, which have become increasingly thinner over time due to industry demands.

In a further embodiment thereof the follower partially protrudes through the circumferential brush surface. In this manner, a distal end of the follower protrudes into the brush roller such that the follower contacts the strip at a contact position spaced apart from said distal end. This can prevent that the strip becomes trapped between said distal end of the follower and the circumferential brush surface.

In an embodiment thereof the strip has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge opposite to the first longitudinal edge, wherein the follower comprises a first contact member and a second contact member for contacting the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge, respectively, from opposite sides of the guiding path in the lateral direction, wherein the first contact member and the second contact member are arranged to protrude partially through the circumferential brush surface between the plurality of bristles. The distal ends of the contact members can therefore be kept away from contact with the strip. Instead, the main body of the contact members can contact the strip more reliably, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the longitudinal edges of the strip.

In a further embodiment the travelling direction is vertical or substantially vertical. The strip can thus be fed into the guiding assembly under the influence of gravity. Moreover, the strip does not exert any considerable gravitational force on the brush roller. Instead, it is merely guided by the brush roller in the vertically extending guide plane.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method for guiding a travelling strip along a guiding path in a travelling direction parallel to said guiding path with the use of the guiding assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the method comprises the steps of following the lateral position of the strip with the follower and mechanically converting the following movement of the follower into the steering movement of the steering member.

This method relates to the practical implementation of the guiding assembly according to the first aspect of the invention and thus has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereafter.

Preferably, the following movement and the steering movement are rotations, wherein the steering member is counter-rotating with respect to the follower.

Preferably, the following movement of the follower is mechanically converted into the steering movement of the steering member in a fixed ratio.

In a further embodiment the follower follows the lateral position of the strip at a following position located downstream of the steering member in the travelling direction .

In a further embodiment the guiding assembly further comprises a support member at the position where the follower follows the strip, the method further comprises the step of supporting the strip relative to the follower .

In an embodiment thereof the strip is supported by a brush roller with a circumferential brush surface formed by a plurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles flex in the lateral direction to follow the lateral position of the strip.

In an embodiment thereof the method further comprises the step of positioning the follower such that it partially protrudes through the circumferential brush surface .

According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method for guiding a travelling strip along a guiding path in a travelling direction parallel to said guiding path with the use of the guiding assembly according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the method comprises the steps of supporting the strip relative to the follower, following the lateral position of the strip with the follower and converting the following movement of the follower into the steering movement of the steering member.

This method relates to the practical implementation of the guiding assembly according to the second aspect of the invention and thus has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereafter.

In an embodiment thereof, the strip is supported by a brush roller with a circumferential brush surface formed by a plurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles flex in the lateral direction to follow the lateral position of the strip.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of positioning the follower such that it partially protrudes through the circumferential brush surface.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figures 1, 2 and 3 show rear views of a guiding assembly for guiding a travelling strip according to the invention; and figure 4 shows a side view of the guiding assembly according to figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1-4 show a guiding assembly 1 for guiding a travelling strip 9 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In particular, the strip 9 is a relatively thin tire component, i.e. a body ply or a breaker ply, used in tire building.

As shown in figure 1, the strip 9 has a flat or substantially flat, band-like body 90 with a first longitudinal edge 91 and a second longitudinal edge 92 opposite to the first longitudinal edge 91. The guiding assembly 1 is arranged for guiding the strip 9 in a travelling direction D along a guiding path P. The travelling direction D is parallel to said guiding path P. The guiding assembly 1 is further arranged for guiding the strip 9 in a guide plane Z that is parallel to the travelling direction D and a lateral direction L perpendicular to said travelling direction D. The body 90 of the strip 9 extends in the guide plane Z and the longitudinal edges 91, 92 are opposite to each other in the lateral direction L.

The guiding path P is representative of the desired course of the strip 9 through the guiding assembly 1. In particular, the guiding path P corresponds to the desired course of the center of the strip 9, i.e. the center between the longitudinal edges 91, 92, through the guiding assembly 1. The guiding path P may be non-linear, i.e. as shown in figure 4. Preferably, the travelling direction D along at least a part of the guiding path P extends vertical or substantially vertical, i.e. parallel to a vertical direction V. Hence, the strip 9 can be fed and/or guided through the guiding assembly 1 under the influence of gravity.

As shown in figure 4, the strip 9 is arranged to exit the guiding assembly 1 in an exit direction E which is not necessarily the same as the travelling direction D. In this particular example, the exit direction E is horizontal or substantially horizontal.

As shown in figure 1, the guiding assembly 1 comprises a steering member 2 for steering the position of the strip 9 in the lateral direction L, a follower 3 for following the position of the strip 9 in the lateral direction L and a transmission 4 for coupling the follower 3 to the steering member 2. Optionally, the guiding assembly 1 is provided with a support member 5 for supporting the strip 9 relative to the follower 3. As shown in figure 4, the guiding assembly 1 further comprises a base 10 for supporting the steering member 2, the follower 3, the transmission 4 and/or the support member 5 relative to one another and the strip 9.

As best seen in figure 1, the steering member 2 is movable in a steering movement M for steering the lateral position of the strip 9 relative to the guiding path P in the lateral direction L. Preferably, the steering movement M is a tilt of the steering member 2 about a tilt axis T perpendicular to the travelling direction D and the lateral direction L.

In this exemplary embodiment, the steering member 2 is a steering roller 20. Said steering roller 20 is rotatable about a steering roller axis S that extends perpendicular to the tilt axis T and parallel to the guide plane Z. As such, the steering roller 20 can effectively contact the strip 9 extending in said guide plane Z. The steering roller 20 may be partitioned into two or more roller sections 20a, 20b which are independently rotatable. This allows the steering roller 20 to tilt more easily with respect to the strip 2.

As further shown in figure 1, the follower 3 is movable in a following movement F for following the lateral position of the strip 9, in particular at a following position downstream of the steering member 2 in the travelling direction D. In this exemplary embodiment, the follower 3 comprises a first contact member 31 and a second contact member 32 for contacting the first longitudinal edge 91 and the second longitudinal edge 92, respectively, from opposite sides of the guiding path P in the lateral direction L. Hence, the follower 3 can bi-directionally follow the strip 9 in either lateral direction L simply through displacement of one of the contact members 31, 32 by the strip 9.

Alternatively, the follower 3 may be arranged for bi-directionally following the strip 9 in the lateral direction L in a different manner, e.g. through gripping onto the strip 9 from one side only, by biasing a single contact member to always abut a respective one of the longitudinal edges or via another suitable way of mechanically engaging and/or contacting said strip 9.

As shown in figure 1, the follower 3 further comprises a frame 30, in particular an A-shaped frame, to space the first contact member 31 and the second contact member 32 apart over a width distance W. The width distance W is chosen to correspond or substantially correspond to the width of the strip 9 in the lateral direction L. In this particular embodiment, the frame 30 comprises a first leg 33 that carries the first contact member 31 and a second leg 34 that carries the second contact member 32. The legs 33, 34 are interconnected to position the contact members 31, 32 with respect to each other.

Preferably, the frame 30 is adjustable to adjust the width distance W. In this exemplary embodiment, the adjustability is obtained by providing a crossbar 35 between the legs 33, 34 of the frame 30. In particular, the crossbar 35 is connected to the legs 33, 34 via slide coupling 36, 37, i.e. a pin sliding through a slot, wherein the slide coupling 36, 37 can be fastened or fixated by suitable fasteners 38, 39. The legs 33, 34 can be moved closer together or further apart within the range of the respective slide couplings 36, 37. Alternatively, the cross-bar 35 may be telescopic.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first contact member 31 and the second contact member 32 are contact rollers 31, 32. The first contact roller 31 and the second contact roller 32 are rotatable about a first contact roller axis Cl and a second contact roller axis C2, respectively. Preferably, the first contact roller axis Cl and the second contact roller axis C2 extend perpendicular to the travelling direction D and the lateral direction L. As such, the contact roller axes Cl, C2 are parallel to the tilt axis T of the steering member 2. Preferably, the contact roller axes Cl, C2 are mutually parallel.

Each contact member 31, 32 may comprise one or more contact rollers. In the case of two or more contact rollers per contact member 31, 32, the contact rollers may be arranged in a set. The use of two or more contact rollers may increase the surface area of the contact between the contact members 31, 32 and the strip 9 to reduce the pressure and therefore reduce the risk of damage to the strip 9.

Alternatively, the contact members 31, 32 may comprise different means to move with the travelling strip 9 while contacting the longitudinal edges 91, 92 thereof, i.e. small free-running belts, rotatable slide shoes or non-rotatable elements, i.e. in the form of stationary cylinders with low friction contact surfaces.

As best seen in figures 1 and 4, the transmission 4 couples the follower 3 to the steering member 2 to convert the following movement F of the follower 3 into the steering movement M of the steering member 2. The transmission 4 is supported on the base 10 of guiding assembly 1, as shown in figure 4, and optionally comprises a housing 40. In this exemplary embodiment, the transmission 4 is a mechanical transmission in the sense that the transmission 4 is purely mechanical, meaning that the transmission 4 solely uses components that interact through some form of mechanical interlock. In other words, the mechanical transmission 4 is based on a pure transmission of mechanical energy from the follower to the steering roller, without conversion of said mechanical energy into hydraulic energy, pneumatic energy and/or electric energy.

In this particular example, the transmission 4 comprises a first gear 41 and a second gear 42 that directly meshes with the first gear 41. Alternatively, one or more intermediate gears may be provided between the first gear 41 and the second gear 42, i.e. to increase the transmission ratio. Preferably, the number of gears is even so that the first gear 41 and the second gear 42 rotate in opposite directions. Hence, the first gear 41 and the second gear 42 are counter-rotatable.

The first gear 41 and the second gear 42 are rotatable about a first gear axis G1 and a second gear axis

G2, respectively. Said gear axes Gl, G2 extend perpendicular to the travelling direction D and the lateral direction L. The follower 3 is coupled to and rotatable together with a first gear 41 about the first gear axis Gl. Hence, the following movement F is a rotation about the first gear axis Gl. The steering member 2 is coupled to and rotatable together with a second gear 42 about the second gear axis G2. Hence, the second gear axis G2 corresponds to or is collinear with the tilt axis T. Likewise, the steering movement M is a rotation about the second gear axis G2.

Accordingly, the transmission 4 is a motion transmission, i.e. a transmission that transfers the mechanical energy from the follower 3 to the steering member 2 without changing the nature of the movement, i.e. from a rotation to a rotation. Moreover, the ratio between the following movement F and the steering movement M is fixed. In particular, the second gear 42 has more teeth than the first gear 41 to obtain a ratio between following movement F and the steering movement M that is less than 1. In other words, for every degree that the follower 3 is rotated in the following movement F, the steering member 2 is rotated in the steering movement M over less than one degree .

Preferably, the transmission 4 is arranged for mechanically converting the following movement F of the follower 3 into the steering movement M of the steering member 2 in a fixed ratio. Alternatively, the ratio may be mechanically varied according to a mechanically fixed variation, i.e. through the use of one or more elliptical gears .

As best seen in figure 4, the support member 5 is a brush roller. As such, the support member 5 is provided with a shaft 50 that is rotatable about a brush roller axis B. The brush roller axis B is parallel or substantially parallel to the lateral direction L. The support member 5 further comprises a plurality of bristles 51 extending orthogonally or radially outwards from said shaft 52. The plurality of bristles 51 together form a circumferential brush surface 52. In this example, all bristles 51 have substantially the same length and/or extend up to substantially the same radius from the brush roller axis B so that the circumferential brush surface 52 has a constant radius. In other words, the circumferential brush surface 52 is cylindrical or straight-cylindrical.

Optionally, the support member 5 is provided with boundary elements 53, 54, i.e. flanges, at the ends of the circumferential brush surface 52 to stop and reverse the strip 9 in case it continuous to run further out of alignment despite the correction efforts of the steering member 2.

The support member 5 is located at the position where the follower 3 follows the strip 9 for supporting the strip 9 relative to the follower 3 in the guide plane Z. In particular, the support member 5 is located opposite to the follower 3 with respect to said guide plane Z. Because of the vertical orientation of the travelling direction D, the strip 9 does not exert any considerable gravitational force on the support member 5. Instead, the strip 9 is merely guided by the support member 5 in the vertically extending guide plane V. More in particular, the circumferential brush surface 52 is arranged to be tangent to the guide plane Z at or near the position where the follower 3 follows the strip 3. Consequently, the plurality of bristles 51 directly opposite to the follower 3 can reliably support the strip 9 in the guide plane V relative to the follower 3. Preferably, the orientation of the bristles 51 is neutral, meaning that the bristles 51 do not exert any particular directional force onto the strip 9 in the lateral direction L.

The plurality of bristles 51 are flexible in the lateral direction L, as shown in figure 1. Consequently, the bristles 51 can in combination support the strip 9 at the circumferential brush surface 52 while each bristle 51 can individually follow deviations of the course of the strip 9 from the guide path P in the lateral direction L, as shown in figures 2 and 3. In particular, small deviations of the strip 9 in the lateral direction L can be followed without any relative movement between the tips of the bristles 51 and the strip 9. Hence, friction between the bristles 51 and the strip 9 can be reduced considerably or even eliminated. As a result, the strip 9 can be made to behave as a relatively stiff or rigid strip 9 that, regardless of its thickness, is sufficiently stiff to displace the follower 3 in the lateral direction L.

Another technical advantage of using the support member 5 in the form of the brush roller is that the follower 3 can partially protrudes through the circumferential brush surface 52. When the follower 3 does not protrude into the circumferential brush surface 52, a distal end X thereof, as shown in figure 4, may pinch the strip 9, thereby damaging the longitudinal edges 91, 92. By positioning the distal end X of the follower 3 inside the outer radius of the circumferential brush surface 52, i.e. between the bristles 51, the strip 9 can be supported by said circumferential brush surface 52 at a radius that is spaced apart from said distal end.

More in particular, as best seen in figure 4, the first contact member 31 and the second contact member 32 of the follower 3 are arranged to protrude partially through the circumferential brush surface 52 between the plurality of bristles 51. In this exemplary embodiment, the contact members 31, 32 protrude through the circumferential brush surface 52 in a radial direction with respect to the brush roller axis B. Alternatively, the contact members 31, 32 may be placed slightly above or below the radially aligned position as shown in figure 4. Placing the contact members 31, 32 slightly below the radially aligned position has the technical advantage that the strip 9 is already slightly bend around the circumferential brush surface 52 from the travelling direction D towards the exit direction E, which makes said strip 9 more rigid.

Hence, the distal end X of the follower 3, and in particular the distal ends of the respective contact member 31, 32, can therefore be kept away from contact with the strip 9. Instead, the main body of the contact members 31, 32 can contact the strip 9 more reliably, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the longitudinal edges 91, 92 of the strip 9. In the case of the contact members 31, 32 being contact rollers, this means that the contact members 31, 32 contact the strip 9 somewhere along the circumferential surface of the roller body, rather than at the axial ends thereof .

A method for guiding the strip 9 along the guiding path P in the travelling direction D parallel to said guiding path P with the use of the aforementioned guiding assembly 1 will be elucidated briefly below with reference to figures 1-4.

Figure 1 shows the situation in which the strip 9 is centered or substantially centered with respect to the guide path P. The follower 3 is in a neutral position, i.e. with the contact member 31, 32 symmetrically on opposite sides of the guide path P. The steering member 2 is in a neutral position as well. No correction of the lateral position of the strip 9 is currently required.

Figures 2 and 3 show an exemplary deviation of the strip 9 from its desired course along the guide path P. The follower 3 follows the strip 9 in either lateral direction L through contact with the strip 9, in particular through contact of one of the contact members 31, 32 with a respective one of the longitudinal edges 91, 92. The following movement F of the follower 3 is automatically converted by the transmission 4, preferably mechanically, into the steering movement M of the steering member 2. The tilting of the steering member 2 about the tilt axis T effectively steers and/or corrects the course of the strip 9 relative to the guide path P.

When the guiding assembly 1 is used to guide a relative a strip 9 that is relatively stiff or rigid in the lateral direction L, i.e. a tread, the support member 5 may not be required. Instead, the strip 9 is sufficiently stiff by itself to displace the follower 3 and cause the following movement F which can be mechanically transferred by the transmission 4 onto the steering member 2. However, when it comes to guiding relatively thin strips 9, the support member 4 can effectively support the said strip 9 at the position where the follower 3 contacts the strip 9 to increase the stiffness and/or stability of the strip 9 in the lateral direction L. When using the brush roller for this purpose, the relative thin strip 9 can be made to behave as a rigid or stiff strip 9, regardless of its thickness .

It is noted that the use of the brush roller as support member 5 for this purpose is an invention in itself which does not rely on the transmission 4 being mechanical. The brush roller may also be used in combination with the hydraulic, pneumatic or electronic solutions of the prior art to improve the ability of the strip 9 to move in the lateral direction L without considerable friction. The brush roller may be combined with any of the aforementioned features with or without the mechanical transmission.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A guide assembly (1) for guiding a traveling strip (9) in a traveling direction along a guide track (P), the guide assembly (1) comprising a steering member (2) movable in a steering movement (M) for steering from a position of the strip (9) relative to the guideway (P) in a lateral direction (L) perpendicular to the direction of travel (D), the guide assembly (1) further comprising a follower (3) movable in a tracking movement (F) to follow the lateral position of the strip (9), the guide assembly (1) comprising a transmission (4) which mechanically couples the follower (3) to the steering part (2) for mechanically converting the tracking movement (F) of the follower (3) in the steering movement (M) of the steering section (2).

The guide assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transmission (4) is a motion transmission.

Guide assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tracking movement (F) and the steering movement (M) are rotations, the steering part (2) being rotatable in opposition to the follower (3).

Guide assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission (4) comprises two or more interlocking gears (41, 42), the follower (3) being coupled to and rotatable together with a first gear ( 41) of the two or more interlocking gears (41, 42) and the control member (2) is coupled to and rotatable together with a second gear (42) of the two or more interlocking gears (41, 42) .

The guide assembly (1) of claim 4, wherein the first gear (41) and the second gear (42) are rotatable about a first gear axis (G1) and a second gear axis (G2), wherein the first gear axis (G1) and the second gear axis (G2) extends perpendicular to the direction of travel (D) and the lateral direction (L).

Guide assembly (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first gear (41) and the second gear (42) are rotatable in opposite directions.

Guide assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein the first gear (41) and the second gear (42) engage directly with each other.

Guide assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission (4) is arranged for mechanically converting the follower movement (F) of the follower (3) into the steering movement (M) of the control part (2) in a fixed ratio.

A guide assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (9) has a first longitudinal edge (91) and a second longitudinal edge (92) opposite to the first longitudinal edge, the follower (3) having a first contact part (31) and a second contact portion (32) for contacting the first longitudinal edge (91) and the second longitudinal edge (92) from opposite sides of the guideway (P) in the lateral direction (L), respectively.

The guide assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein the follower (3) comprises a frame (30) for spacing the first contact part (31) and the second contact part (32) over a width distance (W), the frame (30) is adjustable to adjust the width distance (W).

Guide assembly (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first contact part (31) and the second contact part (32) each comprise one or more first contact rollers and one or more second contact rollers, respectively.

The guide assembly (1) according to claim 11, wherein the first contact roller (31) and the second contact roller (32) are rotatable about a first contact roller axis (C1) and a second contact roller axis (C2), the first contact roller axis (C1) and the second contact roller axis (C2) extend perpendicular to the advancing direction (D) and the lateral direction (L).

Guide assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the steering movement (M) is a tilting of the steering part (2) around a tilt axis (T) perpendicular to the direction of travel (D) and the lateral direction (L).

Guide assembly (1) according to claim 13, wherein the guide assembly (1) is arranged to guide the strip (9) in a guide plane (Z) which is parallel to the direction of travel (D) and the lateral direction (L), the steering member (2) being a steering roller (20) rotatable about a steering roller axis (S) extending perpendicular to the tilt axis (T) and parallel to the guide plane (Z).

Guide assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the follower (3) is adapted to follow the lateral position of the strip (9) at a tracking position situated downstream of the control part (2) in the direction of travel ( D).

Guide assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the advancing direction (D) is vertical or substantially vertical.

The guide assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide assembly (1) further comprises a support member (5) at the position where the follower (3) follows the strip (9) to support the strip (9). relative to the follower (3).

The guiding assembly (1) according to claim 17, wherein the supporting part (5) is adapted to support the strip (9) in a guiding plane (Z) which is parallel to the advancing direction (D) and the lateral direction (L).

Guide assembly (1) according to claim

18, wherein the support part (5) is opposite the follower (3) with respect to the guide surface (Z).

Guide assembly (1) according to any one of claims 17-19, wherein the support part (5) is a brush roller with an axis (50) rotatable about a brush roller axis (B) parallel to the lateral direction (L) and a plurality of bristles (51) distributed around the axis (50), the plurality of bristles (51) extending radially outwardly from the brush roller axis (B) to form a circumferential brush surface (52) to support the strip ( 9).

Guide assembly (1) according to claim

20, the plurality of bristles (51) being flexible in the lateral direction (L).

The guide assembly (1) of claim 20 or 21, wherein the follower (3) projects at least partially through the circumferential brush surface (52).

The guide assembly (1) of claims 9 and 22, wherein the first contact portion (31) and the second contact portion (32) are arranged to at least partially project through the circumferential brush surface (52) between the plurality of bristles (51).

Guiding assembly (1) for guiding a traveling strip (9) in a traveling direction (D) along a guiding track (P), the guiding assembly (1) comprising a steering part (2) movable in a steering movement (M) for controlling a position of the strip (9) relative to the guideway (P) in a lateral direction (L) perpendicular to the direction of travel (D), the guide assembly (1) further comprising a follower (3) movable is in a tracking motion (F) for tracking the lateral position of the strip (9), the guide assembly (1) comprising a transmission (4) that couples the follower (3) to the steering member (2) for converting the tracking movement (F) of the follower (3) in the steering movement (M) of the steering part (2), the guide assembly (1) further comprising a support part (5) at the position where the follower (3) the strip (9 ) follows to support the strip (9) relative to the follower (3).

The guiding assembly (1) according to claim 24, wherein the supporting part (5) is arranged to support the strip (9) in a guiding plane (Z) parallel to the advancing direction (D) and the lateral direction (L).

The guide assembly (1) according to claim 25, wherein the support part (5) is opposite the follower (3) with respect to the guide surface (Z).

A guide assembly (1) according to any one of claims 24-26, wherein the support part (5) is a brush roller with an axis (50) rotatable about a brush roller axis (B) parallel to the lateral direction (L) and a plurality of bristles (51) distributed around the shaft (50), the plurality of bristles (51) extending radially outwardly from the brush roller centerline (B) to form a circumferential brush surface (52) to support the strip (9).

The guide assembly of claim 27, wherein the plurality of bristles (51) are flexible in the lateral direction (L).

The guide assembly (1) of claim 27 or 28, wherein the follower (3) projects at least partially through the circumferential brush surface (52).

The guide assembly (1) of claim 29, wherein the strip (9) has a first longitudinal edge (91) and a second longitudinal edge (92) opposite to the first longitudinal edge (91), the follower (3) having a first contact part (31 ) and a second contact portion (32) for contacting the first longitudinal edge (91) and the second longitudinal edge (92) from opposite sides of the guideway (P) in the lateral direction (L), the first contact portion ( 31) and the second contact portion (32) are arranged to extend at least partially through the circumferential brush surface (52) between the plurality of bristles (51).

The guide assembly (1) according to any one of claims 24-30, wherein the advancing direction (D) is vertical or substantially vertical.

A method for guiding a traveling strip (9) along a guideway (P) in a direction of travel (D) parallel to the guideway (P) using the guide assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1-23, wherein the The method comprises the steps of following the lateral position of the strip (9) with the follower (3) and mechanically converting the follower movement (F) of the follower (3) into the steering movement (M) of the control part (2) ).

The method of claim 32, wherein the tracking movement (F) and the steering movement (M) are rotations, the steering portion (2) rotating opposite to the follower (3).

A method according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the tracking movement (F) of the follower (3) is mechanically converted into the steering movement (M) of the control part (2) in a fixed ratio.

A method according to any one of claims 32-34, wherein the follower (3) follows the lateral position of the strip (9) at a tracking position located downstream of the control member (2) in the direction of travel (D).

A method according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein the guide assembly (1) further comprises a support member (5) at the position where the follower (3) follows the strip (9), the method further comprising the step of supporting of the strip (9) relative to the follower (3).

The method of claim 36, wherein the strip (9) is supported by a brush roller (5) with a circumferential brush surface (52) formed by a plurality of bristles (51), the plurality of bristles (51) bending in the lateral direction (L) in order to follow the lateral position of the strip (9).

The method of claim 37, the method further comprising the step of positioning the follower (3) such that it projects at least partially through the circumferential brush surface (52).

A method for guiding a traveling strip (9) along a guideway (P) in a direction of travel (D) parallel to the guideway (P) using the guide assembly (1) according to any one of claims 24-31, wherein the method comprises the steps of supporting the strip (9) with respect to the follower (3), following the lateral position of the strip (9) with the follower (3) and converting the tracking movement (F) of the follower (3) in the steering movement (M) of the steering part (2).

The method of claim 39, wherein the strip (9) is supported by a brush roller (5) with a peripheral brush surface (52) formed by a plurality of bristles (51), the plurality of bristles (51) bending in the lateral direction (L) in order to follow the lateral position of the strip (9).

The method of claim 40, the method further comprising the step of positioning the follower (3) such that it projects at least partially through the circumferential brush surface (52).