MXPA00008034A - Guide conveyor having a laterally adjustable deflector roller at the end - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conveying and applying a strip component (11) such as a tire tread is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the strip component on a belt conveyor (16), determining a guideline (52) of the strip component (11) at an exit end (20) of the belt conveyor (16), and laterally adjusting the exit end (20) of the belt conveyor (16) to align the guideline (52) of the strip component (11) with a predetermined guideline such as the guideline of a tire building drum (12). The apparatus includes a belt support transverse housing (76) which is laterally moveable by a motion controller (64) in response to a sensor (58) which detects the guideline (52) of the strip component (11). Guides on the transverse housing (76) move the belts of the conveyor (16) on slider plates without physically touching the conveyed strip component (11), thereby preventing damage to the component material. The invention described above may be utilized in a single conveyor, or in multiple conveyor apparatus where the conveyors may be keyed together for synchronized transmission of the components.

Description

"FLEXIBLE GUIDE TRANSPORTER" TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to the field of methods and apparatus for transporting materials, such as strip components in a belt conveyor, and more specifically with methods and apparatus for transporting tire building components of a feed extrusion apparatus or other location. production to a drum making tires on a belt conveyor that is able to laterally adjust the position of the components without using guides.

ANTECEDENTS OF THE TECHNIQUE In the past, guides on conveyor belts such as pivot steering rollers required a strip component that is wound around to create the traction to center the component product that was often detrimental to the component.

Also, the self-feeding of many of the components through any type of rollers, was unreliable.

International Application Number WO 98/0448 is directed to direct and guide a strip component after of transporting the strip component to an outlet end as a plurality of guide discs inclined at an angle toward the axis of the arrow and by transverse movement of the discs. Other methods included moving the entire conveyor laterally to center the product. However, this required more elaborate machinery and a large input loop in the case of continuous strip or tape products. Large loops can cause product elongation and hinder self-feeding. Another method of guidance used curved modular belt conveyors, however, the curves were static and did not act as active guides. In addition, the bands typically used were greater than twice the inclination length of that used by the present invention. The long inclination sections introduce undulation of excessive speed to the product due to the chordal action in the sprockets. The present invention proposes a new and improved flexible guide belt conveyor which is simple in design, effective in use, and which overcomes the aforementioned and other difficulties while providing better and more advantageous total results.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved flexible guide belt conveyor is provided which allows the active guidance of a fragile strip component on a feed conveyor without using guides in contact with the material of the strip component. More particularly, in accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for conveying an elongated strip component and centering the strip component comprising the step of transporting the component to a first belt of a first belt conveyor having a belt. entrance end and an exit end, the method being characterized by the steps of: (a) determining a location of a guide line of the elongated strip component at the exit end of the first belt conveyor using a sensor; (b) transmitting the location of the guide line to a movement controller, and, (c) activating a linear actuator to laterally move a belt that supports the transverse housing positioned at the exit end to adjust the exit end of the First strap in order to align the elongated strip component with a predetermined guide line at the outlet end, guide the first strap by edge guides mounted on the housing When the first belt is supported on a slide plate mounted on the transverse housing In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of applying the components of the rim on a tire making drum which includes the passage of transfer the components of the rim on at least one belt conveyor having an inlet end and an outlet end, the method is characterized by the steps of determining a location that the guideline of the running surface member at the exit end of at least one belt conveyor by means of a sensor, activating a linear actuator in order to move laterally the transverse housing positioned at the exit end in order to adjust the exit end of at least one belt conveyor, to align the tread surface member with a guide line of a tire building drum. Another aspect of the invention, there is provided a belt conveyor having an inlet end and an outlet end with an apparatus for adjusting the outlet end of a belt conveyor including a laterally adjustable belt, characterized by (a) the belt conveyor has a fixed support at the inlet end, a laterally movable belt that holds the transverse housing at the exit end, a driving means mounted in the transverse housing, at least two shore guides mounted on the transverse housing for guiding the belt transversely at the exit end, and a slide plate mounted on the housing to support and allow lateral movement of the belt at the exit end. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for adjusting the output ends of a plurality of belt conveyors, each of the belt conveyors comprises a plurality of separate modules supported by hinge pins thereby providing lateral flexibility characterized in that each of the belt conveyors has a fixed frame at an inlet end and a laterally movable transverse housing at one of the outlet ends, and the fixed frame and the transverse housing have sliding plates which support and permit lateral adjustment of belt conveyors. In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for adjusting a output end of a belt conveyor carrying a strip component, characterized by the steps of detecting a position of a guide line of the strip component with sensing means, and activating a linear actuator to move a transverse housing of the conveyor, moving in this way a belt on the conveyor and the strip component until the guide line of the strip component is centered with respect to a predetermined position. An advantage of the present invention is its ability to laterally adjust the position on a component carried on a belt of the conveyor without coming into contact with the edges of the component. Another advantage of the present invention is its ability to synchronize the movement of the strip components in at least two conveyor belts. Another advantage of the present invention is its ability to adjust the position of the guide lines of the multiple components on multiple conveyor belts. Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates when reading and understanding the following detailed specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may take a physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and wherein: Figure IA is a schematic side elevation of a single belt conveyor assembly embodying the invention; Figure IB is a schematic plan view of the belt conveyor shown in Figure 1; Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a laterally flexible conveyor belt adapted for use in the embodiment of Figures IA and IB; Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a tread surface of the rim of Figures IA and IB showing the rib of the lifted guide line; Figure 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the output end of the belt conveyor assembly according to the present invention, taken on line 4-4 of Figure IA with parts being shown broken; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a set of two conveyors; Figure 6 is a sectional view through the cross section taken along line 6--6 of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the two conveyor system shown in Figures 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings wherein the illustrations are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for objects to limit them, Figure IA shows a lateral elevation of a conveyor assembly 10 for transporting strip materials for example. the rim running surface 11 towards a rim making drum 12. The conveyor assembly 10 preferably includes at least one feed belt conveyor 16 having an inlet end 18 and an outlet end 20 which is capable of carrying the running surface of the rim 11. The feed belt conveyor 16 preferably uses a laterally flexible conveyor belt having linked modules 34 with the links 36 joined by hinge pins 40, as shown in Figure 2. Preferably there is a small amount of clearance between the links 36 of the modules 34, thus allowing limited lateral displacement and flexibility of the conveyor belt 28. Although the conveyor belt 28 described above is the preferred embodiment, any other type of conveyor belt 28 with lateral flexibility can be used with the present invention. Continuing reference to Figures IA and IB the continuous rim running surface 11 is conveyed by the feed conveyor 16 from a feed position 30 to the output end 20 and preferably has a line guiding ridge 52, as shown in Figure 3. guide line rib 52 as shown in Figure 3 is along the center line of the rim running surface 11. However, the guide line rib 52 may also be off center. The guideline rib 52 can be detected by a sensor 58. The sensor 58 determines the relative location of the guideline rib 52 of the rim running surface 11 and provides an analog signal that is transmitted to a controller set. 64. The motion controller set 64 uses the analog signal to negative feedback to a position loop that controls the lateral location of the output end 20 of the feed belt conveyor 16. The guidance occurs as a result of the feed belt conveyor 16 moving laterally in the direction of travel of the feed belt. rim rolling surface 11, in response to negative feedback from the sensor 58. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor 58 consists of a retro-reflective infrared scanner and a PC-compatible computer and monitor based on DOS. The motion controller 64 moves the output end 20 of the feed belt conveyor 16 laterally to 90 ° in the direction of the feed conveyor 16. The output end 20 of the feed belt conveyor 16 includes an adjustable lateral cross-sectional housing 76. The inlet end 18 of the feed conveyor 16 is preferably fixed, and held by the fixed frame 88. The transverse housing 76, as seen in Figure 6, preferably has a sliding plate 94 to hold the conveyor belt. 28. As shown in Figure 4, the guides 100, which may be made of plastic or any other suitable material, are provided as preferred to ensure that the conveyor belt 28 does not deviate as it enters and exits. the sprocket wheels 106. The sprocket wheels 112, and the arrows (not shown) are mounted at the inlet end 18 of the feed conveyor 16, as shown in Figure 1A. With continuous reference to Figure 4, the transverse housing 76 enclosing the belt pulleys 106 and the bearings 118 which hold most of the weight of the transverse housing is carried in a hollow arrow 124. The remaining weight of the transverse housing 76 is carried by a spherical bucket 130 on an arrow 132 mounted on the frame 88, as shown in Figure 6. Two spherical slot nuts 136, 142 mounted on the driving shaft 144 are retained within the hollow arrow 124 of the transverse housing 76. A spherical slot nut 136 is minted at its external diameter 148 at internal diameter 154 of the hollow arrow 124 for transmission of torque. The driving shaft 144 which is supported by bearings 160 and 162 is coupled with a servomotor drive 166. The lateral transverse movement of the hollow arrow 124 and the transverse housing 76 are preferably provided by a linear actuator 172 energized by current motor. direct dedicated connected to the housing by the arm 174 when activated and controlled by a motion controller 64. This assembly at the output end 20 provides lateral low friction movement of the transverse housing 76. At the beginning of an operation of the strip component, the transverse housing 76 is automatically positioned in its central position by the motion controller 64 of the linear actuator 172. The strip material 22 is placed in the feed conveyor 16 at a location on the conveyor belt 28 that is not critical. The strip material 22 is automatically fed easily through the guide section. The position of the strip material 22 leaving the belt conveyor The supply 16 is monitored by the sensor 58. If an off-center position of the strip material 22 is detected, the motion controller 64 moves the transverse housing 76 laterally by activating the linear actuator 172. The plastic guides 100 which are fixed to the housing The transverse housing 76 forces the belt 28 to move with the transverse housing 76. The radially extending part of the guides 100 acts as support points when the belt 20 moves laterally. The inherent lateral flexibility of the conveyor belt 28 allows this movement while the sliding plate 94 holds the belt as described above. The strip material 22 is therefore presented to an equipment downstream in the center and aligned with the guide line of the conveyor assembly 10. Up to now, the present invention has been described with respect to a single-feed conveyor 16. belt. However, the invention can also be used for two or more belt conveyors 16 ', 16", as shown in Figure 5. Figures 6 and 7 show additional views of a set of two conveyors as shown in the Figure 5. In the case of the two-belt feeding conveyors 16 ', 16", the hollow arrows 124', 124" are preferably wedged to the driving shaft 144 and coupled together. This allows the two transverse housings 76 ', 76"to be driven by a single motor. The sliding plates 94 ', 95"not shown are similar to the sliding plate 94 shown in Figure 6 and hold the laterally adjustable conveyor belts 28', 28". The arrangement of cross-sectional accommodations 76 ', 76' 'provides independent lateral movement of continuous low friction of the transverse housings as well as synchronized line speed of the conveyor belts 28', 28 ''. If unsynchronized speeds of the conveyor belts are desired 28 ', 28' ', the slotted hollow arrows 124', 124 '' can be decoupled and driven by separate drives. Referring to Figure IA, after the strip material 22 such as the rim rolling surface 11 is conveyed by the feed conveyor 16 and centered by the transverse housing 76, the running surfaces 11 can be applied directly to a rim drum 12. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures IA and 2B, the running surface 11 is centered by a transverse housing 76 and transferred to a conveyor 184 where it is cut by a cutter 190 conveyor cutter . After being cut by the blade 190, the running surface 196 has a leading end 202 and a trailing end 208. The running surface 196 that is still in the centered position is then transferred to the running surface applicator 214 and transported. to the tire making drum 12 where it is applied in the position centered on the drum. The method described above is typically used when the strip material 22 is a rolling surface 11 and consists of rolling surface material. The running surface 11 shown and described in the preferred embodiment of Figures IA and IB, requires only a single feed conveyor 16 as described above. Preferred embodiments have been described above. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above-mentioned apparatus and methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all these modifications and alterations as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A method for conveying an elongated strip component 11 and centering the strip component 11 comprising the step of transporting the component 11 in a first belt 28 of a first belt conveyor 16 having an inlet end 18 and an outlet end 20, the method is characterized by the steps of: (a) determining a location of a guide line (52) of the elongated strip component 11 at the exit end 20 of the first belt conveyor 16, using a sensor 58; (b) transmitting that location of the guide line 52 to a motion controller 64; and, (c) activating a linear actuator 172 for laterally moving a transverse belt support housing 76 positioned at the output end 20 to adjust the output end 20 of the first belt 28 so as to align the elongated strip component 11 with a predetermined guide line at the outlet end 20, and guiding the first belt 28 by the edge guides 100 mounted in the transverse housing 76 while holding the first belt 28 in a sliding plate 94 mounted in the transverse housing 76 .

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a second belt conveyor 16"for conveying a second elongated strip component 22 'on a second belt 28' and centering the second strip component 22" around a guide line second that is further characterized by guiding the second belt 28"by second guide belts 100 mounted in a second transverse housing 76" while holding the second belt 28"in a second sliding plate 94 mounted in the second transverse housing 76", in order to allow the lateral movement of the second belt 28" carrying the second strip component 22"at the outlet end 20 and to drive the first belt conveyor 16 and the second belt conveyor 16 '. 'at the same speed with a single driving means 166.

3. A belt conveyor having an inlet end 18 and an output end 20, with the apparatus for adjusting the output end 20 of the conveyor of strap 16 including a laterally adjustable strap 28, characterized by: (a) the belt conveyor 16 has a fixed support 88 at the inlet end 18, a transverse housing holding the laterally movable strap 76 at the outlet end 20 , a driving means 166 mounted in the transverse housing 76, at least two guides of edge 100 mounted in the transverse housing 76 to guide the belt 28 transversely at the exit end 20, and a sliding plate 94 mounted in the housing 76 to support and allow lateral movement of the belt 28 at the exit end 20. 4 The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized by (a) the transverse housing 76 includes a belt driving wheel 106, the bearings 118, and a slotted driving shaft 144, the belt driving wheel 106 and the bearings 18. being carried in a hollow arrow 124, the hollow arrow 124 retains a first spherical groove nut 136 and a second spherical groove nut 142 slidably mounted in the grooved driving shaft 144, the first spherical groove nut 136 having an outer diameter wedged in an internal diameter of the hollow arrow 124 for transmission of torque. The apparatus of claim 4 which is further characterized by (a) a means for laterally moving the transverse belt support housing 76 together with the hollow arrow 144, the means for laterally moving the transverse housing 76 comprises a linear actuator 172 , Y, (b) the belt drive sprocket 106 of the transverse housing 76, being rotated by rotation of the driving shaft 144.