RU2782142C2 - Device and method for band offset correction - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: correction devices.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a device and a method for band offset correction. Device (1) contains correcting device (3) with surface (31) for alignment for support of band (91, 92) in support plane (P). Moreover, support plane (P) passes at a support angle relatively to first vertical plane (V1) in the range from five to thirty degrees, while support plane (P) intersects with second vertical plane (V2), which is perpendicular to first vertical plane (V1), on intersection line (L). At the same time, correcting device (3) additionally contains one or more correcting elements (5) located on the same side of surface (31) for alignment, which is made with the possibility of support of band (91, 92). In addition, the specified one or more correcting elements are made with the possibility of impact with displacement force (D) on mentioned band (91, 92) in direction (c) of correction, parallel to support plane (P) and transverse to intersection line (L). The method is implemented using the above-mentioned device, which includes stages of support of band (91, 92) on surface (31) for alignment, use of one or more correcting elements (5) for impact with displacement force (D) on band (91, 92) in direction (c) of correction, thereby providing the movement of at least part of the mentioned band along surface (31) for alignment in mentioned direction (c) of correction.

EFFECT: development of a device and a method for improved correction of band offset.

35 cl, 10 dwg

Description

Field and prior art

The invention relates to a device and a method for correcting a stripe offset.

WO 2016/159759 A1 describes a cutting station for a tire building machine, the cutting station comprising a cutting device and a feeding device for feeding a strip of rubber material into the cutting device, the cutting device comprising a cutting table for holding the strip of rubber material in a reference plane, and a cutting element for cutting a strip of rubber material along a cutting line that runs parallel to the reference plane, wherein the reference plane extends at an angle relative to the first vertical plane in the range of five to thirty degrees, and the feeder is configured to feed the strip of rubber material onto the cutting table in a downward feed direction parallel to the reference plane.

US Pat. No. 5,167,751 A describes a device for correcting the end of an automobile tire cord strip. The device comprises a conveyor belt for transporting a tire strip element, consisting of rubberized steel cords, to a tire assembly drum, the conveyor belt being narrower than the strip element, a support plate located under the conveyor belt and configured to support the belt, a guide plate extending in parallel longitudinal axis and located above the base plate and on one side of it so that it approaches and recedes relative to the conveyor belt, and a magnet located under the base plate and towards one side of it so that it is driven to approach and move away relative to the conveyor belt. The magnet is used to attract the end of the bar to the guide plate.

The essence of the invention

The known cutting station according to patent document WO 2016/159759 A1 has the disadvantage that, as a result of cutting a strip of rubber material along the cutting line, the newly created front end may be slightly bent or deformed, thereby causing said front end to be displaced relative to the rest of the strip, in particular, in its longitudinal direction.

The technical solution according to US Pat. No. 5,167,751 A has the disadvantage that, with a horizontal configuration and with a magnet located under the base plate, significant friction is created between the tire strip element and the conveyor belt during said attraction, which makes it difficult to attract the end of the tire strip element along the length . In addition, the magnetic force will exceed the friction only after the magnet is turned on, which causes a delay and/or mismatch between the movement of the magnet and the actual movement of the end of the tire strip element. The tire strip element shifts suddenly as the tire strip element loses and regains friction. Moreover, a relatively large magnet is required to effectively pull the tire strip through the base plate and the conveyor belt to move said tire strip. The known device is thus cumbersome and inaccurate when it comes to correcting the misalignment of the end of a tire strip element.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for improved band offset correction.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a device for correcting a strip offset, the device comprising a corrective device with an alignment surface for maintaining the strip in a reference plane, the reference plane extending at a reference angle relative to the first vertical plane in the range of five to thirty degrees, wherein the reference the plane intersects with the second vertical plane, which is perpendicular to the first vertical plane, on the line of intersection, and the corrective device further comprises one or more corrective elements located on the side of the alignment surface, which is configured to support the strip, moreover, one or more corrective elements are made with the possibility of applying a biasing force to said strip in a correction direction parallel to the reference plane and transverse to the intersection line.

Due to the steep, almost vertical orientation of the support plane, the friction between the strip and the alignment surface can be significantly reduced. Also, by generating a biasing force that acts on the strip in a correction direction parallel to the reference plane rather than perpendicular to or at an acute angle to said reference plane, the biasing force can be prevented from adding to the frictional force. Therefore, the strip can be accurately and/or reliably moved by a relatively small biasing force acting on the strip in the direction of correction to at least partially correct the fold or deformation in said strip. Abrupt and unpredictable movement of the strip across the surface for leveling can be prevented.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more correction elements are configured to act on the strip primarily in the correction direction and exclusively in the correction direction. Again, in this way, the addition of a biasing force to the frictional force between the strip and the support surface can be prevented.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more correction elements comprise one or more pull elements for pulling the strip in the correction direction. By pulling the strip instead of pushing the strip in the correction direction, it is possible to prevent the strip from being compressed or even damaged before it begins to move in the correction direction.

In a further embodiment, the corrective device comprises a leveling element with a stop surface that runs parallel to the intersection line and faces in the abutment direction opposite to the correction direction. The alignment element may abut against the strip in said abutment direction to prevent further movement of the strip in the correction direction.

In a preferred embodiment, said leveling element is movable in the abutting direction. By moving the leveling element, you can adjust the position at which the strip ultimately abuts against the abutment surface.

In a further preferred embodiment, one or more corrective elements are provided in or on the alignment element. As a result, the leveling member can apply a biasing force to the strip and can also stop the strip from moving in the correction direction C as soon as the strip starts to abut against the abutment surface.

In a further preferred embodiment, one or more corrective elements are provided on the abutment surface and face in the abutment direction. Therefore, one or more corrective elements can be located as close as possible to the strip and/or can act directly on the strip when said strip abuts against the abutment surface.

In a further embodiment, the intersection line is a reference line on the strip alignment surface, wherein the alignment element is movable in abutting direction at least up to the reference line. As a result, the alignment element can move the strip up to the reference line, even if said strip is already abutting against the abutment surface before the alignment element reaches the reference line.

Preferably, the alignment element is movable in the abutting direction from a first position at a first distance from the reference line to a second position at a second distance less than the first distance from the reference line. In both the first and second positions, the leveling element can still be at a distance from the reference line. Therefore, moving the leveling element from the first position to the second position can be used to move the leveling element closer to the strip and thereby increase the amount of biasing force with which one or more adjustment elements in said leveling element act on the strip.

More preferably, the biasing force generated by one or more correction elements per strip is not sufficient to move the strip in the correction direction when the alignment element is between the first position and the second position. Therefore, the leveling element can be moved between the first position and the second position without moving the strip. This prevents one or more corrective elements from affecting the position of the strip prior to actual alignment, for example when a cutting process is performed on said strip. In an exemplary embodiment, the first distance is greater than eight millimeters or greater than ten millimeters. In another exemplary embodiment, the second distance is in the range of five to eight millimeters. It has been proven that such distances are sufficient to prevent the band from being displaced by one or more corrective elements.

In a further embodiment, the leveling element is movable in abutting direction from a second position to a third position located on the reference line. This movement may further increase the magnitude of the biasing force acting on the strip created by one or more corrective elements in said alignment element.

Preferably, the biasing force with which the one or more adjustment elements act on the strip is sufficient to displace at least a portion of the strip in the correction direction against the abutment when the leveling element is between the second position and the third position. Therefore, the strip can be drawn into abutment against the abutment surface when the leveling element is moved from the second position to the third position or to the third position.

In another embodiment, the strip contains ferromagnetic reinforcing elements, with one or more correction elements comprise one or more correction magnets for magnetically pulling the strip in the correction direction. Thus, the biasing force may be a magnetic biasing force. This force is advantageous because it does not require physical engagement of the strip. Moreover, compared with the example station, the magnetic forces can more reliably act on the ferromagnetic strips.

Preferably, one or more correction magnets are permanent magnets. Permanent magnets are relatively simple magnets and do not require active control. Therefore, the leveling element may be relatively simple and electrical connections may not be required.

In a further embodiment, one or more corrective magnets provide a first resultant magnetic field, the device further comprising a gripper that is operable to be positioned in a peel position to remove a strip from a surface for alignment, the gripper comprising a plurality of gripper magnets that create a second a net magnetic field for holding the strip on the gripper, wherein the first net magnetic field is at least partially offset from the second net magnetic field. Due to the offset, the magnetic attraction force between one or more correction magnets and the gripper magnets can be significantly reduced. Therefore, the effect of one or more correction magnets on the gripper magnets can be reduced. Therefore, the gripper can easily remove the strip from the surface for alignment without any significant impact from one or more correction magnets.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of correction magnets comprises a first group of correction magnets with their north pole facing the gripper in the removal position and a second group of correction magnets with their south pole facing the gripper in the removal position, the correction magnets of the first group being arranged alternately with corrective magnets of the second group inside the first resulting magnetic field. Alternate arrangement provides at least partial suppression of the resulting magnetic field.

In another preferred embodiment, the pitch between the correction magnets is different from the pitch between the gripper magnets. Therefore, the effect of the correction magnets on the gripper magnets can be further reduced.

In a further embodiment, the corrective device further comprises one or more locking elements for fixing the strip relative to the alignment surface after the strip has been displaced by the one or more corrective elements. Once one or more locking elements secure the aligned strip to the alignment surface, the alignment element can be moved in the correction direction, thereby releasing the strip from the one or more corrective elements.

Preferably, one or more locking elements are configured to switch between an active state for magnetically fixing the strip relative to the alignment surface and an inactive state for releasing the strip from the alignment surface. One or more of the locking elements may, for example, be provided with electromagnets that can be easily disengaged or permanent magnets that can be moved away from the surface for alignment, for example when the strip is removed by means of the gripper described above.

In a further embodiment, the corrective device comprises a leveling actuator for controlling movement of the leveling element in the abutment direction.

Additionally or alternatively, the device further comprises a cutting device, the cutting device comprising a support member with a cutting surface for supporting the strip and a feed element for feeding the strip onto the cutting surface in a feed direction that is parallel to the line of intersection, the cutting device being provided with a knife that is movable along the cutting line to cut one or more strips from a continuous strip at a cutting angle that is an acute angle with respect to the feed direction, the alignment surface and the cutting surface being coplanar surfaces, the device comprising an approach driving device which is configured with the possibility of moving the leveling element at least partially on the cutting surface, parallel to the intersection line, to a position as close as possible to the cutting line. Therefore, the alignment element can correct the alignment of the tire component with respect to the reference line directly in the direction of travel or as close as possible to the cutting line.

Preferably, the anvil is rotatable about an axis of rotation to adjust the cutting angle, the approach drive comprising a gear for converting the rotation of the anvil into a movement of the leveling element parallel to the intersection line. Therefore, the alignment member can be moved automatically by transmission in response to rotation.

In a practical embodiment, the support element has a circular or substantially circular periphery that is concentric with the axis of rotation, and the transmission includes a first belt that runs around the circular periphery of the support element, and a second belt that loops around the first pulley and the second pulley, and the equalizing element connected to the second belt and configured to move together with the second belt in a direction parallel to the intersection line, the first belt is configured to drive the first pulley into rotation with a gear ratio relative to rotation abutment element to move the leveling element in response to the rotation of the abutment element to hold the leveling element in a position as close as possible to the cutting line.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method for correcting a stripe misalignment using the apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of maintaining the strip on a surface for alignment, using one or more corrective elements to apply a biasing force to the strip in the correction direction, and thereby , causing at least a portion of said strip to move across the surface to align in said correction direction.

The method and its embodiments relate to the use of the device in accordance with any of the above embodiments. Therefore, the method and its embodiments have the same technical advantages that will not be repeated hereinafter.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more correction elements act on the strip mainly or exclusively in the correction direction. In another embodiment of the method, the device comprises a leveling element with a stop surface that runs parallel to the intersection line and faces in the abutment direction opposite to the correction direction, wherein one or more corrective elements are provided in the leveling element or on the leveling element, the method comprising the step of moving the leveling element to the strip in the direction of abutment.

In a preferred embodiment, the intersection line is a reference line on an alignment surface for aligning the strip, the method comprising the step of moving the alignment element in abutting direction at least up to the reference line.

In an additional embodiment, the method comprises the step of moving the leveling element in the abutment direction from a first position located at a first distance from the reference line to a second position located at a second distance less than the first distance from the reference line , wherein the biasing force with which one or more corrective elements acting on the strip is not sufficient to move the strip in the correction direction when the alignment element is between the first position and the second position.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises the step of moving an alignment element in the abutment direction from the second position to the third position located on the reference line, and the biasing force with which one or more corrective elements act on the strip is sufficient to displace at least a portion of the strip in the correction direction for abutting against the abutment surface when the leveling the element is between the second position and the third position.

In another preferred embodiment of the method, the strip contains ferromagnetic reinforcing elements and the biasing force is a magnetic attraction in the correction direction.

In another embodiment, the method comprises the step of cutting one or more strips along the cutting line at a cutting angle and feeding said cut strip in a feed direction parallel to the intersection line onto a surface to align the corrective device, the cutting angle being an adjustable angle, the method further comprising the step of moving the leveling element in a direction parallel to the intersection line in response to setting the cutting angle to a position, and/or holding the leveling element in a position as close as possible to the cutting line.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the technical description may be applied, where possible, separately. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the appended dependent claims, may be the subject of separate patent applications.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is described on the basis of an illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

1 is a front view of an apparatus with a cutting device for cutting the first strip and with a correcting device for correcting misalignment of the first strip in accordance with the first illustrative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device according to Fig. 1 during a step of the first band offset correction method;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the device according to Fig. 1 for correcting second band offset;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the device according to Fig. 3 during a step of the additional second band offset correction method;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the correction device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view in cross section of the device according to the line VI-VI of Fig. 2;

7 and 8 are more detailed illustrations of the first (or second) band offset correction steps;

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the device according to Fig. 1; and

Fig. 10 shows the interaction between the correction device and the outer gripping device for removing the strip from the correction device.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1-4 shows a device 1 for correcting the displacement of the reinforcement strips 9, in particular, the layers of the breaker. The device 1 comprises a cutting device 2 according to WO 2016/159759 A1 for cutting the continuous strip 90 into one or more strips 91, 92 of a predetermined length. Figures 1 and 2 show the device 1 during the steps of the method for manufacturing one or more first reinforcement strips 91. Figures 3 and 4 show the same device 1 during the steps of an additional method for manufacturing one or more second reinforcement strips 92. the strips 91, 92 are preferably reinforced with metallic or ferromagnetic amplifying elements 93. The device 1 also includes a correction device 3 according to the present invention for correcting the misalignment of the amplifying strips 91, 92.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting device 2 in this exemplary embodiment comprises a cutting table-shaped support element 20 with a cutting surface 21 which forms a reference plane P. The cutting device 2 also includes a feed element 22, such as a feed roller, for feeding a continuous strip 90 of an elastomeric material, preferably a rubber material, into the device 1 and/or onto the cutting surface 21 in the feed direction F. As in WO 2016/159759 A1, the reference plane P of the cutting device 2 is located at a steep, almost vertical reference angle, preferably in the range of five to thirty degrees relative to the first vertical plane V1. The reference plane P intersects with the second vertical plane V2, which is perpendicular to the first vertical plane V1, along the intersection line L. Said intersection line L may form a reference line (also referred to as L) for aligning the continuous strip 90. The feed direction F is parallel or substantially parallel to said intersection line L. The feed member 22 is configured to feed the continuous strip 90 in the downward feed direction F over the steep support plane P. Preferably, the strip 90 is slidable in the support plane P over the cutting surface 21 solely by gravity.

The cutting device 2 also includes a blade 23 which is configured to cut the continuous strip 90 into one or more first strips 91 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or into one or more second strips 92 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 The cutting device 2 comprises one or more guides 24 for guiding the knife 23 along the cutting line K through the surface 21 for cutting at a cutting angle H, which is an acute angle relative to the feeding direction F. Preferably, the cutting angle H is adjustable in the range of fifteen to sixty degrees with respect to the feeding direction F. In this exemplary embodiment, the cutting surface 21 is rotatable about an axis of rotation R that extends perpendicular to the cutting surface 21. One or more guides 24 are rotatably mounted with the cutting surface 21 to adjust the cutting angle H. Preferably, the support member 20 has an at least partially circular periphery 25 concentric with the axis of rotation R and/or the axis R of rotation is located in the center of the at least partially circular periphery 25.

In addition, as shown in figure 1, the cutting device 2 includes one or more holding magnets 26, located on the line K cutting line or near the line K cutting, preferably on both sides of the line K cutting, to hold the strip 90 during cutting. Retention magnets 26 may be permanent magnets that can be retracted to a position away from strip 90 via a retraction mechanism (not shown), or electromagnets that can be turned on and off.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the corrective device 3 comprises an alignment surface 31 for receiving and/or supporting one or more first strips 91 or one or more second strips 92. The alignment surface 31 extends in the same reference plane P and/ or at the same steep reference angle as the cutting surface 21 of the cutter 2. In this example, the strip 91, 92 is fed onto the leveling surface 31 from the cutting surface 21, preferably solely by gravity. The leveling surface 31 itself remains fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the corrective device 3 is provided with a leveling element 4 configured to abut against the strip 91, 92 in the abutment direction A, parallel to the reference plane P and transverse or perpendicular to the intersection line L. As shown in more detail in FIG. 5, the leveling element comprises a leveling body 40 with a thrust surface 41 which extends parallel to the intersection line L and which faces the strip 91, 92 in the abutment direction A, parallel to the reference plane P and transverse or perpendicular to the line L intersections.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the corrective device 3 also comprises one or more corrective elements 5 configured to exert a biasing force D on said strip 91, 92 in a correction direction C parallel to the reference plane P and transverse to the intersection/reference line L In this exemplary embodiment, the one or more correction elements 5 comprise one or more pull elements for pulling the strip 91, 92 in the correction direction C. More specifically, one or more correction elements 5 comprise one or more magnets, preferably permanent magnets, for magnetically attracting the ferromagnetic material present in the strip 91, 92.

As clearly shown in FIG. 5, one or more corrective elements 5 are located on the side of the alignment surface 31 which is configured to support the strip 91, 92, ie the upward side of the alignment surface. Thus, one or more corrective elements 5 are configured to act on the strip 91, 92 mainly in the correction direction C parallel to said reference plane P. More specifically, one or more corrective elements 5 are configured to act on the strip 91, 92 exclusively in the C direction of the correction. This is also shown by the arrows illustrating the action of the biasing force D, which in FIG. 5 are parallel to the correction direction C.

In this exemplary embodiment, one or more corrective elements 5 are provided in the leveling element 4 or on the leveling element 4. In particular, one or more corrective elements 5 are provided on the abutment surface 41 and face in the abutment direction A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the leveling member 4 is movable in the abutment direction A, parallel to the reference plane P and transverse to the intersection line L, and in the correction direction C, opposite to the abutment direction A. When the leveling element 4 is moved away from the reference line L, the leveling element 4 does not prevent the strip 90 from being fed to the leveling surface 31. The leveling element 4 can then be moved back in the abutment direction A towards the reference line L to assume a position where it can abut against the strip 91, 92 after cutting.

Preferably, the alignment element 4 is also reciprocating in a feed direction F parallel to the reference line L, substantially parallel to the reference line L and/or along the reference line L, to position the alignment element 4 along the reference line L as close as possible to cutting lines. Preferably, the leveling element 4 is provided with a sharp tapered end 42 facing the cutting line K, which ensures that the abutment surface 41 at said tapering end 42 passes as close as possible to the cutting line K. In this way, the abutment surface 41 can abut essentially a substantial part of the strip 91, 92, if not substantially the entire length of the strip 91, 92 in the feed direction F.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the device 1 includes a leveling drive 81 for controlling movements of the leveling element 4 in the abutment direction A and in the correction direction C. The alignment drive 81 is preferably a linear drive, most preferably a spindle drive. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternative drive devices are possible to control the movement of the leveling element 4 in the abutment direction A and in the correction direction C.

As shown in FIG. 9, the device 1 also includes an approach driving device 82 for controlling the reciprocating movement of the leveling member 4 in the feed direction F. The proximity drive 82 may be a linear drive, such as a spindle drive. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the approach driving device 82 comprises a gear 83 for converting the movement of the support member 20 into a reciprocating movement of the leveling member 4 in the feed direction F and/or along the reference line L. In the embodiment shown, the support member 20 has a completely circular periphery 25 and is rotatable about a rotation axis R to set the cutting angle H. This rotation is converted by transmission 83 into a linear or substantially linear reciprocating movement of the leveling element. 4 in feed direction F.

The transmission 83 includes a first belt 84 that is located around the circumferential periphery 25 of the support member 20. The transmission 83 also includes a first pulley 85, a second pulley 86, and a second belt 87 that loops around the first pulley 85 and the second pulley 86. First belt 84 connected to the first pulley 85 and/or located around the first pulley 85 to control the rotation of the said first pulley 85 with a gear ratio relative to the rotation of the support element 20. The leveling element 4 is fixedly connected to a part of the second belt 87 to move together with the mentioned part of the second belt 87.

The diameter of the first pulley 85 is chosen to provide the necessary gear ratio between the rotation of the support member 20 and the first pulley 85. The gear ratio is preferably one that causes the alignment member 4 to move with respect to and/or with respect to the rotation of the support member 20 as needed. positioning and/or holding the leveling element 4 along the reference line L in a position as close as possible to the cutting line K.

Preferably, the transmission 83 includes a plurality of guide pulleys 88 for redirecting and/or guiding at least a portion of the first belt 84 away from the periphery 25 of the support member 20 and into a loop around the first pulley 85.

As shown in Fig.6-8, the corrective device 3 also includes one or more locking elements 6 for fixing the strip 91, 92 relative to the surface 31 for alignment after the displacement of the strip 91, 92 by means of one or more corrective elements 5. One or more locking elements 6 preferably comprise one or more electromagnets on the alignment surface 31 or below the alignment surface 31, one or more locking electromagnets 6 are configured to switch between an active state, providing magnetic fixation of the strip 91, 92 relative to the leveling surface 31, and an inactive state, providing the release of the strip 91, 92 from the leveling surface 31. Alternatively, one or more locking elements may include permanent magnets (not shown) that can be retracted from the alignment surface 31 to release the strip 91, 92 from the alignment surface 31.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the device 1 further comprises a gripping device 7 which is operable to be positioned to remove the strip 91, 92 from the surface 31 for alignment. Said gripper 7 comprises a plurality of gripper magnets 71, 72 for magnetically holding the strip 91, 92 on the surface of the gripper 7. When used in combination with the fixing magnets 6 described above, fixing magnets 6 can be disengaged and retracted as soon as the magnets 71, 72 of the gripper begin to hold the strip 91, 92 on the surface of the gripper 7. However, although the locking magnets 6 can be disabled or retracted, one or more correction magnets 5 in the alignment element 4 will still be in close proximity to the gripper 7. Therefore, their magnetic fields may interfere with the magnetic removal by the gripper 7.

Therefore, in this particular embodiment, one or more corrective elements 5 comprise a plurality of corrective magnets 51, 52 which produce a first net magnetic field and gripper magnets 71, 72 produce a second net magnetic field. The first resultant magnetic field is at least partially offset relative to the second resultant magnetic field. Specifically, the plurality of correction magnets 51, 52 comprises a first group of correction magnets 51 which have their north pole N towards the gripper 7 in the removal position, and a second group of correction magnets 52 which have their south pole S towards the gripper in the removal position, moreover, the correction magnets 51 of the first group are located alternately with the correction magnets 52 of the second group within the first resulting magnetic field. Although each correction magnet 51, 52 individually can still attract the strip 91, 92, the staggering provides at least partial suppression of the resulting magnetic field relative to the resultant magnetic field of the gripper magnets 71, 72 to reduce the effect of the correction magnets 51, 52 on the magnets 71 , 72 grippers.

Preferably, if the pitch, that is, the distance from the core to the core of the correction magnets 51, 52 of the first resulting magnetic field is different from the pitch between the magnets 71, 72 of the gripper of the second resulting magnetic field, for example, the pitch between the correction magnets 51, 52 can be at least two times smaller than the pitch between the magnets 71, 72 of the gripper. As a consequence, the reduced pitch ensures that two of the corrective magnets 51, 52 are positioned opposite only one of the gripper magnets 71, 72, thereby substantially reducing their effect on the individual gripper magnet 71, 72.

The method for correcting the offset of the bands 91, 92 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1-10.

FIG. 1 shows a situation in which the support member 20 is rotated about the rotation axis R so that the cutting line K passes at a predetermined cutting angle H. The strip 90 is fed by the feed member 22 in the feed direction F onto the cutting surface 21 of the support member 20. The knife 23 is moved in the cutting direction E along the cutting line K to cut the leading end of the strip 90 at a cutting angle H. During cutting, the strip 90 is held by the holding magnets 26. After cutting, the holding magnets 26 are pushed into the cutting surface 21 and/or deactivated to release the strip 90. The knife 23 returns to the position shown in FIG. 1 for the subsequent cutting step. The cutting results in a new, triangular leading end 94. As a rule, the leading end 94 is slightly deformed during the cutting step, since the leading end 94 has a relatively small contact surface with the cutting surface 21 and can easily be displaced by the knife 23 relative to the rest of the strip 90 The deformation shown in Figure 1 is exaggerated to clearly illustrate the problem underlying the present invention. The leveling element 4 is moved in the correction direction C to a first position located at a distance from the reference line L to allow the strip 90 to be fed to the leveling surface 31 in the feed direction F without the leveling element 4 interfering with said supply.

Figure 2 shows the situation in which the strip 90 with the newly formed leading end 94 is driven or moved further along the cutting surface 21 in the feed direction F so that at least the leading end 94 of the strip 90 is located on the surface 31 for alignment and/or rested on the surface 31 for alignment. Thereafter, the knife 23 is again moved in the cutting direction E along the cutting line K to cut the aforementioned first strip 91 from the strip 9 at a cutting angle H. The cutting results in a triangular rear end 95 similar to the front end 94. The front end 94 is still slightly deformed as a result of the cutting step shown in FIG. The leveling element 4 can now be moved in the abutting direction A back to the reference line L.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support member 20 can be rotated about the axis of rotation R so that the cutting line K runs at a different cutting angle H relative to the cutting angle H by 1 and 2. Thus, strip 90 may be cut into one or more second strips 92 for another batch. During rotation, the position of the leveling element 4 is adjusted, preferably automatically, using a suitable mechanism, such as an approach drive 82 as shown in FIG. 91, 92 during subsequent steps of the method. The subsequent steps of the method are applied to any of the strips 91, 92 cut at cutting angles H as shown in FIGS. 1-4, or at any other cutting angles H within the adjustable range of support member 20.

FIG. 6 shows the leveling element 4 in a first position corresponding to the first position shown in FIGS. 1-4, at a distance from the reference line L, as the strip 90 is fed onto the surface 31 for alignment. Once the strip 91, 92 is approximately in the desired position on the alignment surface 31, for example within five millimeters of the reference line L, the alignment actuator 81 is actuated to move the alignment member 4 from the first position as shown in FIG. .6 located at a first distance from the reference line L to a second position, as shown in Fig. 7, located at a second distance from the reference line L. The second distance is less than the first distance. In particular, the first distance is more than eight millimeters or more than ten millimeters, and the second distance is in the range of five to eight millimeters. Preferably, the biasing force D with which one or more correction elements 5 act on the strip 91, 92 is sufficient to move the strip 91, 92 in the correction direction C when the alignment element 4 is between the first position and the second position. Therefore, during the movement of the leveling member 4 from the first position to the second position, the magnitude of the biasing force D acting on the strip 91, 92 does not exceed the friction between the strip 91, 92 and the leveling surface 31. However, the mentioned value will increase as the alignment element is moved. 4 closer, and as soon as the leveling element 4 reaches the second position, as shown in Fig.7, or when the leveling element 4 is in any position between the second position, as shown in Fig.7, and the third position located on the reference line L 8, the biasing force D with which one or more corrective elements 5 act on the strip 91, 92 will be sufficient to displace at least a portion of the strip 91, 92 in the correction direction C into the position of abutting against the abutment surface 41 .

As shown in FIG. 7, the strip 91, 92 can be brought into abutting position against the abutment surface 41 while the leveling element 4 has not yet been moved to the third position on the reference line L. Therefore, the band 91, 92 can actually be brought beyond the reference line L. Thereafter, since the alignment member 4 continues to move in the abutting direction A towards the third position, as shown in FIG. 8, the abutting strip 91, 92 will also move in the abutment direction A and will eventually align along the reference line L.

Once the strip 91, 92 has been aligned or corrected along the reference line L, one or more locking elements 6 located under the alignment surface 31 can be activated to fix the aligned and corrected position of the strip 91, 92 on the alignment surface 31 . The leveling element 4 can then be moved back in the correction direction C to the first position, as shown in FIG. 6, for the next cycle of the method.

Further, the aligned and corrected strip 91, 92 can be removed by the gripper 7 as shown in FIG. 10, for example in the manner previously described, for transfer to a downstream assembly device (not shown).

The above description is intended to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and does not limit the scope of the invention. From the above description, those skilled in the art will recognize many alternative embodiments that lie within the scope of the present invention.

List of reference positions

1 - device according to the invention

2 - cutting device

20 - support element

21 - bearing surface

22 - feed element

23 - knife

24 - guide

25 - circular periphery

26 - holding magnets

3 - corrective device

31 - surface for leveling

4 - leveling element

40 - leveling body

41 - thrust surface

42 - converging end

5 - one or more corrective elements

51 - corrective magnet

52 - corrective magnet

6 - one or more fixing elements

7 - gripper

71 - gripper magnet

72 - gripper magnet

81 - driving device for leveling

82 - driving device for approach

83 - transmission

84 - first belt

85 - first pulley

86 - second pulley

87 - second belt

90 - continuous strip

91 - front page

92 - second lane

93 - reinforcing element

94 - front end

95 - rear end

A - direction of abutment

C - correction direction

D - displacement force

F - feed direction

H - cutting angle

K - cutting line

L - line of intersection / reference line

P - reference plane

V1 - first vertical plane

V2 - second vertical plane

Claims (35)

1. A device for correcting strip misalignment, comprising a corrective device with an alignment surface for maintaining the strip in a reference plane, wherein the reference plane extends at a reference angle relative to a first vertical plane in the range of five to thirty degrees, while the reference plane intersects with a second vertical plane , which is perpendicular to the first vertical plane, on the line of intersection, and the corrective device further comprises one or more corrective elements located on the same side of the surface for alignment, which is configured to support the strip, while these one or more corrective elements are configured to exert a biasing force on said strip in a correction direction parallel to the reference plane and transverse to the intersection line. 2. The device according to claim 1, in which one or more corrective elements are configured to act on the strip mainly in the direction of correction. 3. The device according to claim 2, in which one or more corrective elements are configured to act on the strip exclusively in the correction direction. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more correction elements comprise one or more pull elements for pulling the strip in the correction direction. 5. The device according to claim 1, in which the corrective device comprises a leveling element with a stop surface that runs parallel to the line of intersection and faces in the abutment direction opposite to the correction direction. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the leveling element is movable in the abutting direction. 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one or more corrective elements are provided in or on the alignment element. 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein one or more corrective elements are provided on the abutment surface and face in the abutment direction. 9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the intersection line is a reference line on the alignment surface for strip alignment, the alignment element being movable in the abutting direction at least up to the reference line. 10. The device according to claim 9, in which the leveling element is movable in the direction of abutment from the first position, located at a first distance from the reference line, to the second position, located at a second distance less than the first distance from the reference line. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the biasing force with which the one or more correction elements act on the strip is not sufficient to displace the strip in the correction direction when the alignment element is between the first position and the second position. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first distance is greater than eight millimeters or greater than ten millimeters. 13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second distance is in the range of five to eight millimeters. 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the leveling element is movable in the abutting direction from the second position to a third position located on the reference line. 15. The device according to claim 14, in which the biasing force with which one or more corrective elements acting on the strip is sufficient to displace at least a portion of the strip in the correction direction against the abutment surface when the leveling element is between the second position and the third position. 16. The device according to claim 1, in which the strip contains ferromagnetic reinforcing elements, and one or more correction elements comprise one or more correction magnets for magnetically pulling the strip in the correction direction. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the one or more correction magnets are permanent magnets. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the one or more correction magnets provide a first resultant magnetic field, the device further comprising a gripper that is operable to be positioned in a peel position to remove the strip from the alignment surface, the gripper comprising a plurality gripper magnets that provide a second resultant magnetic field to hold the strip on the gripper, the first resultant magnetic field being at least partially offset from the second resultant magnetic field. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of corrective magnets comprises a first group of corrective magnets with their north pole facing the gripper at the release position and a second group of corrective magnets with their south pole facing the gripper at the removal position, wherein the correction magnets of the first group are located alternately with the correction magnets of the second group within the first resulting magnetic field. 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the pitch between the correction magnets is different from the pitch between the gripper magnets. 21. The device according to claim 1, in which the corrective device further comprises one or more locking elements for fixing the strip relative to the surface for alignment after the strip has been displaced by one or more corrective elements. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the one or more locking elements are configured to switch between an active state to magnetically lock the strip against the alignment surface and an inactive state to release the strip from the alignment surface. 23. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the correction device comprises an actuating leveling device for controlling movement of the leveling element in the abutment direction. 24. The device according to claim 6, further comprising a cutting device, and the cutting device includes a support element with a cutting surface for supporting the strip and a feed element for feeding the strip onto the cutting surface in a feed direction that is parallel to the line of intersection, while in the cutting device a knife is provided that is movable along the cutting line to cut one or more strips from a continuous strip at a cutting angle, which is an acute angle relative to the feed direction, and the alignment surface and the cutting surface are coplanar surfaces, while the device contains a drive device for approach, which is configured to move the leveling element at least partially on the cutting surface, parallel to the intersection line, to a position as close as possible to the cutting line. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the anvil is rotatable about an axis of rotation to adjust the cutting angle, wherein the approach drive comprises a gear for converting the rotation of the anvil into a movement of the leveling element parallel to the intersection line. 26. The device according to claim 25, in which the support element has a circular periphery that is concentric with the axis of rotation, and the transmission includes a first belt that passes around the circular periphery of the support element, and a second belt that passes in a loop around the first pulley and the second pulley, wherein the leveling element is connected to the second belt and is configured to move together with the second belt in a direction parallel to the intersection line, wherein the first belt is configured to bring the first pulley into rotation with a gear ratio relative to the rotation of the support element, ensuring the movement of the leveling element in response to rotation of the support member to hold the alignment member in a position as close as possible to the cutting line. 27. A method for correcting strip misalignment using the apparatus of claim 1, comprising the steps of maintaining the strip on a surface for alignment, using one or more corrective elements to apply a biasing force to the strip in the correction direction, and thereby causing at least a portion of said strip to move. strips on the surface for alignment in the mentioned direction of correction. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more corrective elements act on the strip generally in the correction direction. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the one or more corrective elements act on the strip exclusively in the correction direction. 30. The method according to claim 27, in which the device comprises a leveling element with a stop surface that runs parallel to the intersection line and faces in the direction of abutment opposite to the correction direction, and in the leveling element or on the leveling element there is one or more corrective elements, wherein the method includes the step of moving the leveling element to the strip in the abutment direction. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the intersection line is a reference line on the strip alignment surface, the method comprising the step of moving the alignment element in abutting direction at least up to the reference line. 32. The method according to claim 31, including the step of moving the leveling element in the direction of abutment from the first position, located at the first distance from the reference line, to the second position, located at the second distance, less than the first distance , from the reference line , and the biasing force , with which one or more corrective elements act on the strip, is not sufficient to move the strip in the correction direction when the equalizing element is between the first position and the second position. 33. The method of claim 32, comprising the step of moving the leveling element in the direction of abutment from the second position to the third position located on the reference line, and the biasing force with which one or more corrective elements act on the strip is sufficient to displace at least part of the strip in the direction of correction to abut against the stop surface when the leveling the element is between the second position and the third position. 34. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 33, wherein the strip comprises ferromagnetic reinforcing elements, wherein the biasing force is a magnetic attraction in the correction direction. 35. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 34, comprising the step of cutting one or more strips along the cutting line at a cutting angle and feeding said cut strip in a feed direction parallel to the intersection line to a surface to align the corrective device, the cutting angle being adjustable angle, the method further comprising the step of moving the leveling element in a direction parallel to the intersection line in response to setting the cutting angle to or holding the leveling element in a position as close as possible to the cutting line.

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