Slide level maintaining device for longitudinal looper

Abstract

The present invention provides a carriage horizontality maintaining device for a longitudinal looper capable of precisely and continuously maintaining the carriage's posture horizontally with high precision, both when stopped and during lifting operations. The longitudinal looper alternately winds a strip material between a lower roller of a fixed base and an upper roller of a carriage suspended by first and second chains for lifting operations. The longitudinal looper carriage horizontality maintaining device comprises: a jack disposed between the carriage and the first chain, which performs a stroke operation in the suspension direction to adjust the hanging height position of the carriage; a distance measuring target disposed vertically along the direction of the carriage's lifting operation; upper and lower displacement measuring sensors mounted on the upper and lower sides of the carriage, respectively, which measure the horizontal distance to the distance measuring target; and a controller that receives horizontal distance input from the displacement measuring sensors and operates the jack so that the horizontal distances between the two jacks are equal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carriage horizontality maintaining device for a longitudinal type looper capable of performing fine and continuous control to maintain the carriage's posture horizontally with high precision, whether in a stopped state or during a lifting operation. Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 to 4 are known as technologies related to longitudinal loopers that alternately wind a strip of material around fixed rollers arranged on a fixed base and movable rollers arranged on a carriage suspended by a suspender for vertical movement. The "Method and Apparatus for Correcting Meaning of a Metal Strip" disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a strip meandering detection device (edge ​​position detector) installed on at least one of the inlet and outlet sides of the longitudinal looper equipment. The four wire ropes that suspend the looper carriage are connected to independent drums and motors, enabling individual length adjustments.

[0003] Patent document 2, "Method for measuring the horizontality of a slide of a longitudinal looper device and method for correcting the meandering of a steel strip", is provided as follows: an optical rangefinder is used to measure the horizontality of the looper slide (horizontality abnormality) and the deviation amount (meaning of meandering) of the steel strip. If the meandering amount exceeds an allowable range, the horizontality of the looper slide is changed within the allowable range so that the meandering amount of the steel strip converges within the allowable range.

[0004] The optical distance meter is installed on the fixed platform and measures the height distance from the fixed platform to the looper carriage that is moving up and down.

[0005] The "inclination measuring device for a longitudinal looper" of Patent Document 3 is configured to include: a reflector, which is arranged on a slide; a light emitter, which vertically irradiates light for angle detection onto the reflector; a light receiver, which receives the light for angle detection reflected by the reflector; and a calculation unit, which calculates the inclination of the slide based on the detection distance between the light emitting position and the light receiving position of the light and the distance between the light emitter and the reflector. The inclination of the slide can be detected with high precision, and the meandering of the strip caused by the inclination of the slide can be prevented in advance.

[0006] The light emitter and the light receiver are installed on the ground, and the inclination of the carriage is measured using the height distance from the ground to a reflective mirror installed on the upward and downward looper carriage.

[0007] In the "Vertical Loop Tilt Detection Method" of Patent Document 4, a method for measuring the tilt of a slide of a vertical looper set in a strip processing line is provided. In this method, sensors are arranged at the left and right ends of the slide that is moved up and down and at two fixed parts arranged opposite to the two ends in a manner that simultaneously senses the left and right sides when the slide is in a horizontal posture. The lifting and lowering speed of the slide during measurement and the sensing time difference of the left and right sensors are multiplied to detect the tilt of the slide, or the value obtained by multiplying the lifting and lowering speed of the slide when measured and the sensing time difference of the left and right sensors is subtracted from the value obtained by multiplying the lifting and lowering speed of the slide when measured and the sensing time difference of the left and right sensors to detect the tilt of the slide.

[0008] However, this is a proposal for detecting the inclination of the carriage at an arbitrary height position (sensor installation position) during the vertical movement.

[0009] Prior art literature

[0010] Patent Literature

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-267139

[0012] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-223771

[0013] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-156435

[0014] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-59122 Summary of the Invention

[0015] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0016] Patent Document 1 is a solution for measuring the edge position of the steel strip, and does not directly detect the horizontality of the looper carriage. Therefore, the meandering correction is based on feedback control, resulting in unreliable operation.

[0017] Patent Document 2 proposes an optical distance meter with a very long measurement distance, which cannot ensure satisfactory measurement accuracy and makes it difficult to cope with fine control with high accuracy.

[0018] Patent Document 3 also has a very long measurement distance between the light emitter, the light receiver, and the reflector, and cannot ensure satisfactory measurement accuracy, making it difficult to cope with fine control with high precision.

[0019] Patent Document 4 can only measure the inclination of the carriage at the installation position of the sensor, and cannot continuously correct the inclination of the carriage during elevation.

[0020] The present invention has been created in view of the above-mentioned existing problems, and its object is to provide a slide horizontality maintaining device for a longitudinal looper that can precisely and continuously maintain the posture of the slide horizontally with high precision regardless of whether it is in a stopped state or in a lifting operation.

[0021] Solutions to Problems

[0022] In the slide horizontal maintaining device of the longitudinal looper of the present invention, the longitudinal looper alternately winds a strip material on a first roller arranged on a fixed base and a second roller arranged on a slide suspended by a suspension member for lifting and lowering, and the slide horizontal maintaining device of the longitudinal looper is characterized in that it comprises: an adjusting component, which is arranged between the slide and the suspension member, and performs a stroke action in the suspension direction to adjust the hanging height position of the suspended slide; a measured object, which is vertically arranged along the lifting and lowering direction of the slide; an upper displacement measuring sensor, which is mounted on the upper side of the slide that is lifted and lowered, and measures a first horizontal distance to the measured object; a lower displacement measuring sensor, which is mounted on the lower side of the slide that is lifted and lowered, and measures a second horizontal distance to the measured object; a controller, which receives input of the first horizontal distance and the second horizontal distance from these upper displacement measuring sensors and lower displacement measuring sensors, and actuates the adjusting component in such a manner that these horizontal distances become equal distances.

[0023] The carriage horizontality maintaining device of the longitudinal looper of the present invention is characterized in that the second roller is provided on the carriage with the roller axis facing the width direction of the carriage, and the first horizontal distance and the second horizontal distance are measured in the width direction of the carriage.

[0024] The slide horizontal maintaining device of the longitudinal looper of the present invention is characterized in that the measured object includes a wire and a counterweight, the upper end of the wire is connected to the frame supporting the suspension member, and the counterweight is connected to the lower end of the wire and is used to stretch the wire straightly in the vertical direction.

[0025] The carriage level maintaining device for a longitudinal looper according to the present invention is characterized in that the object to be measured is a plate material installed straight in a vertical direction on a frame supporting the suspender.

[0026] The carriage level maintaining device for a longitudinal looper according to the present invention is characterized in that the lower portion of the object to be measured is immersed in an oil reservoir in order to prevent shaking.

[0027] The carriage level maintaining device for a longitudinal looper according to the present invention is characterized in that the object to be measured is a column member provided straightly in a vertical direction on a frame supporting the suspender.

[0028] The slide horizontal maintaining device of the longitudinal looper of the present invention is characterized in that, on the upper side of the slide that is raised and lowered, an additional upper displacement measuring sensor is installed for measuring the third horizontal distance to the measured object in the length direction of the slide along the arrangement direction of the second roller, and on the lower side of the slide that is raised and lowered, an additional lower displacement measuring sensor is installed for measuring the fourth horizontal distance to the measured object in the length direction of the slide, and in addition to making the first horizontal distance and the second horizontal distance equal, the controller also causes the adjustment component to operate in such a manner that the third horizontal distance and the fourth horizontal distance input from these additional upper displacement measuring sensors and the additional lower displacement measuring sensors become equal.

[0029] Effects of the Invention

[0030] The carriage horizontality maintaining device for a longitudinal looper of the present invention can maintain the carriage's posture horizontally with high precision, finely and continuously, regardless of whether the carriage is in a stopped state or in a lifting operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 This is a front view of a longitudinal looper for explaining a preferred embodiment of a carriage horizontality maintaining device for a longitudinal looper according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of a longitudinal looper is shown.

[0033] Figure 3 Yes Figure 1 An explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a lifting mechanism of a carriage included in the vertical looper shown.

[0034] Figure 4 Yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a plan view illustrating the positional relationship between the distance measuring target, the upper displacement measuring sensor, and the lower displacement measuring sensor according to the illustrated embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5 Yes Figure 4 A perspective view illustrating a state of measuring a horizontal distance of an upper displacement measuring sensor and a lower displacement measuring sensor shown.

[0036] Figure 6 It is opposite Figure 1 and Figure 2 An explanatory diagram for explaining an output signal output by a jack according to the embodiment shown.

[0037] Figure 7 Yes Figure 1and Figure 2 1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of a state in which an upper displacement measuring sensor and a lower displacement measuring sensor according to the embodiment shown are mounted on a carriage.

[0038] Figure 8 Yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 Explanatory diagram for explaining a modified example of the distance-measuring target according to the embodiment shown.

[0039] Figure 9 Yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 Explanatory diagrams illustrating other modified examples of the distance-measuring target according to the embodiment shown.

[0040] Description of reference numerals:

[0041] 1. Longitudinal looper

[0042] 2 Strip material

[0043] 3 Fixed base

[0044] 4 lower roller

[0045] 5 Slide

[0046] 5a Upper surface of the carriage

[0047] 5b Lower surface of the carriage

[0048] 5c Side surface of the slide

[0049] 5d Upper edge of the slide

[0050] 5e Lower edge of the slide

[0051] 6 upper roller

[0052] 6a Roller shaft of upper roller

[0053] 7 First chain (suspension)

[0054] 8 Second chain (suspension)

[0055] 9 Stereoscopic Frame

[0056] 10 Top

[0057] 11 Pillars

[0058] 12 base

[0059] 13 Drive motor

[0060] 14 Rotating axis system

[0061] 15 Gearbox

[0062] 16 Bearing components

[0063] 17 First sprocket

[0064] 18 Second sprocket

[0065] 19 Bearing components

[0066] 20 Third sprocket

[0067] 21 Heavy Hammer

[0068] 22 Lifter (adjustment component)

[0069] 23 Motor-driven screw mechanism

[0070] 24 strokes

[0071] 25 Rangefinder Target

[0072] 26 Upper displacement sensor

[0073] 27 Lower displacement measurement sensor

[0074] 28 Controller

[0075] 29 Hanging base

[0076] 30 Wire

[0077] 31 counterweight

[0078] 32 containers

[0079] 33 Light projection department

[0080] 34 Light receiving part

[0081] 35 bending bracket

[0082] 35a Horizontal portion

[0083] 35b longitudinal portion

[0084] 36 L-shaped bracket

[0085] 37 Plate

[0086] 37a board

[0087] 38 Column

[0088] 39 Additional upper displacement measurement sensor

[0089] 40 Additional lower displacement measurement sensor

[0090] 41 Coupling

[0091] D1 First horizontal distance

[0092] D2 Second horizontal distance

[0093] D3 third horizontal distance

[0094] D4 fourth horizontal distance

[0095] H Horizontal distance between the first chain and the second chain

[0096] L Laser

[0097] V is the vertical distance between the upper displacement sensor and the lower displacement sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the carriage level maintaining device for a longitudinal looper of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The longitudinal loopers are respectively installed on the inlet and outlet sides of a processing line for strip materials such as metal strips.

[0099] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the longitudinal looper 1 comprises, as is conventionally known, a plurality of lower rollers 4 as first rollers, which are axially supported so as to be rotatable and arranged side by side on a fixed base 3; and a plurality of upper rollers 6 as second rollers, which are axially supported so as to be rotatable and arranged side by side on a slide 5 above the fixed base 3. The lower rollers 4 and the upper rollers 6 are alternately wound in the arrangement direction of these rollers 4 and 6 in sequence, and the slide 5 is raised and lowered relative to the fixed base 3 to adjust the interval between the upper rollers 6 and the lower rollers 4. As a result, the speed of the feed side and the delivery side can be accelerated, decelerated, or stopped without stopping the processing line.

[0100] In this embodiment, the case where the lower roller 4 is a fixed roller and the upper roller 6 is a movable roller that performs an ascending and descending motion is exemplified below. However, it is of course possible that the lower roller 4 is a movable roller and the upper roller 6 is a fixed roller.

[0101] The carriage 5 and the fixed base 3 are both formed into an elongated rectangular shape in a plan view. The carriage 5 is supported at four points by suspension members such as chains 7 and 8 and wire ropes described later so as to maintain a horizontal posture.

[0102] The suspension members 7 and 8 are supported by a top portion 10 of a three-dimensional frame 9 constituting the longitudinal looper 1. The three-dimensional frame 9 is constructed so as to surround the carriage 5 and the fixed base 3, with four pillars 11 supporting the four corners of the top portion 10. The three-dimensional frame 9 is assembled on a machine base 12 on which the fixed base 3 is installed.

[0103] The plurality of upper rollers 6 and lower rollers 4 are arranged in their longitudinal directions along the long sides of the carriage 5 and the fixed base 3 .

[0104] Reference Figure 3Briefly describe the lifting mechanism of the carriage 5 when the suspension members 7 and 8 are chains. Figure 3 (A) of which is a top view of the top 10, Figure 3 and (B) of which is Figure 3 a sectional view taken along the B-B line in (A) of which, Figure 3 and (C) of which is Figure 3 a sectional view taken along the C-C line in (A) of which.

[0105] The lifting mechanism of the carriage 5 includes: a drive motor 13 which is arranged at the central position of the top 10; a gearbox 15 which is arranged at the top 10 and connected to the drive motor 13, reducing the rotational driving force of the drive motor 13 and transmitting it to a rotating shaft system 14 which is connected in series (Japanese: 一連) in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 5 via a coupling 41; a set of first sprockets 17 and second sprockets 18 of the same size, which are arranged at the top 10, near each bearing member 16 supporting both ends of the rotating shaft system 14, and are connected to both ends of the rotating shaft system 14 in an adjacent configuration, and rotate in the same direction at a constant speed by being driven by the rotating shaft system 14, so as to drive the first chain 7 and the second chain 8 wound around them at a constant speed; two third sprockets 20, which are rotatably supported at the top 10 via bearing members 19 in a configuration respectively opposite to each first sprocket 17, guiding the first chain 7 wound by the first sprocket 17; and weights 21, which are respectively connected to one end of each of the first chain 7 and the second chain 8 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 5.

[0106] The weights 21 reduce the necessary power required for the lifting action of the carriage 5 and prevent the chains 7 and 8 from floating.

[0107] On the carriage 5, on one side in the width direction, the other ends of the two first chains 7 are connected at intervals in the longitudinal direction, and on the other side in the width direction, the other ends of the two second chains 8 are connected at intervals in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the carriage 5 is supported at four points by four chains 7 and 8.

[0108] Desirably, the four points that become the suspension points are the four corners of a rectangular shape with the width direction of the carriage 5 as the short side direction.

[0109] In the case where the suspension members 7 and 8 are steel wire ropes, pulleys can be used instead of the sprockets 17, 18, and 20.

[0110] For example, when the drive motor 13 is driven forward, a group of first sprockets 17 and second sprockets 18 are driven forward in the same direction, and each third sprocket 20 is also rotated forward in the same direction via the first chain 7. The first chain 7 and the second chain 8 lift the weight 21 at one end and lower the slide 5 at the other end. On the other hand, when the drive motor 13 is driven reversely, the first to third sprockets 17, 18, and 20 are all driven reversely in the same direction. The first chain 7 and the second chain 8 lower the weight 21 at one end and lift the slide 5 at the other end to make it rise.

[0111] In addition, a winch (not shown) may be used instead of this mechanism to wind up and lower a suspending member such as a wire instead of the chains 7 and 8 .

[0112] The carriage 5 is equipped with an adjustment member 22 that performs a stroke operation in the hanging direction of the chains 7 and 8 to adjust the hanging height position of the hung carriage 5 .

[0113] In this embodiment, a jack is used as the adjustment member 22, and the adjustment member 22 is provided between the other end of the first chain 7 and the carriage 5. The adjustment member 22 is not limited to a jack, and may be any member as long as it performs a stroke in the suspension direction.

[0114] The jack 22 shown in the figure is a well-known screw jack that uses a motor-driven screw mechanism 23 to generate a stroke of moving in and out of a rod 24 . A portion of the screw mechanism 23 is mounted on the carriage 5 , and the rod 24 is connected to the first chain 7 .

[0115] When the hanging state of the slide 5 is kept constant by the first chain 7 and the second chain 8, if a release stroke is generated in the rod 24, the hanging height position of the suspended slide 5 on the first chain 7 side relative to the second chain 8 side becomes lower. On the contrary, if an entry stroke is generated in the rod 24, the hanging height position of the slide 5 becomes higher. Therefore, even if the slide 5 is not horizontally hung by the first chain 7 and the second chain 8, the slide 5 can be hung in a horizontal posture by using the chains 7 and 8 by adjusting the stroke of the jack 22.

[0116] An adjustment member 22 such as a jack may be provided between the second chain 8 and the carriage 5 instead of the first chain 7 .

[0117] In the longitudinal looper 1, a plurality of upper rollers 6 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 5 and the roller shafts 6a are arranged in the width direction of the carriage 5. The roller shafts 6a are inclined in the width direction of the carriage 5, thereby causing the strip 2 to meander. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the horizontal posture of the carriage 5 in the width direction of the carriage 5 (refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2). In other words, the carriage 5 is required not to be tilted in the width direction.

[0118] As a structure for detecting the hanging posture of the slide 5 in the width direction of the slide 5 and maintaining it in a horizontal posture, it includes: a distance measurement target 25 as a measured object, an upper displacement measuring sensor 26 mounted on the upper side of the slide 5, and a lower displacement measuring sensor 27 mounted on the lower side of the slide 5, and a controller 28 for controlling the operation of the crane 22 based on the detection signals from these displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27.

[0119] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the distance measuring target 25 is vertically installed from the top 10 side of the three-dimensional frame 9 toward the fixed base 3 side along the lifting direction of the carriage 5. The distance measuring target 25 is arranged around the carriage 5 adjacent to the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 so as not to interfere with the lifting and lowering movement of the carriage 5 or the strip material 2.

[0120] When the carriage 5 is suspended at four points, two distance measuring targets 25 are provided for posture control. In this embodiment, displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 are provided at both ends of the carriage 5 in the longitudinal direction. Two distance measuring targets 25 are provided at both ends of the carriage 5 in the longitudinal direction, corresponding to the two sets of displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27.

[0121] When the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 are provided on both sides of the carriage 5 in the width direction, two distance measuring targets 25 may be provided on both sides of the carriage 5 in the width direction.

[0122] The distance measuring target 25 shown in the example includes: a wire 30 such as a steel wire, the upper end of which is connected to the top 10 of the three-dimensional frame 9 supporting the chains 7 and 8 via a hanging base 29; and a counterweight 31, which is connected to the lower end of the wire 30 and is used to pull the wire 30 downward and stretch it straight in the vertical direction.

[0123] To prevent vibration of the wire 30, a counterweight 31, serving as the lower portion of the distance measuring target 25, is immersed in an oil reservoir filled with oil within a container 32 located on the side of the fixed base 3. Even if the counterweight 31 is moved by external forces, the damping effect of the oil reservoir returns it to its original position and maintains a stable vertical position for the wire 30.

[0124] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the carriage 5 is provided with a pair of an upper displacement measuring sensor 26 mounted on the upper surface 5 a of the carriage 5 and a lower displacement measuring sensor 27 mounted on the lower surface 5 b of the carriage 5 .

[0125] These displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 emit laser light L from the light projecting unit 33 toward the adjacent distance measuring target 25 in the width direction of the slide 5, and use the light receiving unit 34 to receive the laser light L from the width direction of the slide 5 reflected by the distance measuring target 25, thereby measuring the horizontal distances D1 and D2 to the distance measuring target 25.

[0126] It is desired that, for the installation of these upper displacement measuring sensors 26 and the lower displacement measuring sensor 27 to the slide 5, specifically, the slide 5 is in a horizontal state without tilt, and the positions of the light receiving parts 34 of the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 are at the same position in the vertical direction and at the same distance from the wire 30 of the distance measuring target 25 in the horizontal direction.

[0127] However, when these displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 measure the change in relative position (change in distance) with the distance measuring target 25, that is, the displacement generated therebetween, it is sufficient to measure the increase or decrease relative to the reference distance as the displacement, and the above-mentioned installation is not necessary.

[0128] The inventors of this application have conducted experiments and research on sensors utilizing lasers, and have discovered that these sensors are susceptible to environmental influences such as temperature, interfering light, and dust, leading to measurement errors. These errors increase with increasing measurement distance. For example, when a sensor is fixed to a fixed base 3 and the height distance between the sensor and a vertically ascending carriage 5 is measured, the longer the measurement distance, the greater the error.

[0129] In this embodiment, regardless of the height position of the slide 5 performing the lifting action, the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 are set on the slide 5 in such a manner that the distance measured by these displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 becomes shorter, and the object for measuring the distance by the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 is set as a distance measuring target 25 set vertically along the lifting direction of the slide 5.

[0130] Therefore, if the distance measuring target 25 is set near the carriage 5, that is, near the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27, the horizontal distances D1 and D2 to the distance measuring target 25 can be measured at a short distance and substantially the same distance relationship regardless of the height position of the carriage 5.

[0131] The upper displacement measuring sensor 26 is located above the carriage 5 and measures a first horizontal distance D1 to the distance measuring target 25 in the width direction of the carriage 5. The lower displacement measuring sensor 27 is located below the carriage 5 and measures a second horizontal distance D2 to the distance measuring target 25 in the width direction of the carriage 5.

[0132] When the carriage 5 is in a horizontal position, the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 are equal. However, when the carriage 5 is not in a horizontal position, the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 are different.

[0133] When the first horizontal distance D1 is greater than the second horizontal distance D2, in the example shown in the figure, the side of the carriage 5 on which the jack 22 is mounted is tilted higher. Conversely, when the first horizontal distance D1 is smaller than the second horizontal distance D2, the side on which the jack 22 is mounted is tilted lower. These horizontal distances D1 and D2 can also be measured as the aforementioned displacements. In this case, they are measured as increases or decreases in displacement generated between the distance measuring target 25 and the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27.

[0134] The first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 are input as detection signals from the upper displacement measuring sensor 26 and the lower displacement measuring sensor 27 to the controller 28 . The controller 28 outputs a control signal to the jack 22 .

[0135] The upper displacement measuring sensor 26 and the lower displacement measuring sensor 27 always continuously measure the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 during the lifting and lowering operation of the carriage 5 , and input the measured values ​​to the controller 28 .

[0136] Of course, the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 measured by the upper displacement measuring sensor 26 and the lower displacement measuring sensor 27 may be input to the controller 28 at all times during the operation of the longitudinal looper 1, that is, not only during the lifting and lowering action of the slide 5, but also during the stop.

[0137] When these horizontal distances D1 and D2 are different (when the posture is not horizontal), the controller 28 outputs a control signal for the release stroke and the entry stroke to the jack 22, so that the difference between them becomes "zero" and the distances are equal, in other words, the increase or decrease in displacement is offset.

[0138] Regarding the stroke control of the crane 22, considering the different positions of the distance measuring target 25 and the crane 22 controlled to maintain a horizontal posture, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the controller 28 outputs a control signal to the jack 22 by multiplying the difference between the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 by the ratio H / V, based on the vertical distance V between the upper displacement measuring sensor 26 and the lower displacement measuring sensor 27 (light receiving unit 34) that measure the horizontal distances D1 and D2, and the horizontal distance H between the first chain 7 and the second chain 8 that suspend the carriage 5. These vertical distance V and horizontal distance H are measured when the carriage 5 is in a horizontal position.

[0139] Figure 7, an example of the state in which the upper displacement measuring sensor and the lower displacement measuring sensor are mounted on the carriage is shown. Figures 1 to 6 In the structure, the displacement measuring sensor is installed only on the upper surface and under the lower surface of the slide.

[0140] Figure 7 (A) is a top view of the main parts of the state where the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 are mounted on the carriage 5. Figure 7 (B) is Figure 7 The E-E line view in (A) is Figure 7 (C) is Figure 7 The F-F line view in (A) is Figure 7 (D) shows another mounting state of the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 mounted on the carriage 5. Figure 7 (B) The corresponding figure.

[0141] exist Figure 7 In the examples shown in (A) to (C), the bending bracket 35 formed by bending the L-shaped lateral portion 35a at a right angle relative to the longitudinal portion 35b is set to be in opposite directions up and down, and two bending brackets 35 are used. The lateral portion 35a of each bending bracket 35 is respectively connected to the upper and lower portions of the peripheral side surface 5c of the slide 5, and an upper displacement measuring sensor 26 is provided at the upper end portion of the longitudinal portion 35b extending upward from the slide 5, and a lower displacement measuring sensor 27 is provided at the lower end portion of the longitudinal portion 35b extending downward.

[0142] Regarding the inclination of the slide 5 obtained based on the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 measured by the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27, the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 are installed at the upper and lower ends of each bending bracket 35, and the longer the vertical distance V between the two displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27, the higher the measurement accuracy can be.

[0143] On the other hand, of course, when the accuracy of the horizontal distances D1 and D2 measured by the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 is a concern due to the swing of the bending bracket 35 accompanying the lifting and lowering movement of the carriage 5, the accuracy of the horizontal distances D1 and D2 measured by the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 may be a concern. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 5 (D), two L-shaped brackets 36 are connected along the upper edge 5 d and the lower edge 5 e of the carriage 5 to ensure the vertical distance V as much as possible, and the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 are fixed to these L-shaped brackets 36 .

[0144] The upper side and the lower side of the slide 5 on which the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 are provided mean that they are not limited to the upper and lower sides of the slide 5 as in the case of the bending bracket 35, the upper surface 5a and the lower surface 5b of the above-mentioned slide 5, and include the upper edge 5d and the lower edge 5e of the peripheral side surface 5c between the upper surface 5a and the lower surface 5b as in the case of the L-shaped bracket 36.

[0145] The function of the carriage horizontal maintaining device of the longitudinal looper of this embodiment is explained. The upper displacement measuring sensor 26 and the lower displacement measuring sensor 27 always measure the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 to the distance measuring target 25 at the two end sides in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 5 during the operation of the longitudinal looper 1.

[0146] The measured first horizontal distance D1 and second horizontal distance D2 are input to the controller 28 at all times, and the controller 28 outputs control signals of the in-and-out stroke to the two jacks 22 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the slide 5 to make the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 equal.

[0147] Each jack 22 performs a stroke operation in the suspension direction of each first chain 7 in real time, and adjusts the suspension height position of the carriage 5 suspended at four points, thereby maintaining the horizontal posture of the carriage 5.

[0148] The apparatus for maintaining the horizontal posture of the carriage of the longitudinal looper of this embodiment comprises: a jack 22, which is provided between the carriage 5 and the first chain 7 and is used to adjust the hanging height position of the suspended carriage 5 by performing a stroke action in the hanging direction; a distance measuring target 25, which is provided vertically along the lifting direction of the carriage 5; an upper displacement measuring sensor 26, which is mounted on the upper side of the lifting carriage 5 and measures the first horizontal distance D1 to the distance measuring target 25; a lower displacement measuring sensor 27, which is mounted on the upper side of the lifting carriage 5 and measures the first horizontal distance D1 to the distance measuring target 25; and a lower displacement measuring sensor 27, which is mounted on the upper side of the lifting carriage 5 and measures the first horizontal distance D1 to the distance measuring target 25. The lower side of the carriage 5 measures the second horizontal distance D2 to the distance measuring target 25; and the controller 28, which is always input with the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 by these upper displacement measuring sensors 26 and the lower displacement measuring sensors 27 during the operation of the longitudinal looper 1, and operates the jack 22 in such a way that these horizontal distances D1 and D2 become equal distances to control the in and out stroke, thereby directly measuring the posture of the slide 5 and being able to control its posture, and being able to stably maintain the slide 5 in a horizontal state.

[0149] Regardless of the height position of the carriage 5 , the distance measurement target 25 and the displacement measurement sensors 26 and 27 can be placed adjacent to each other, thereby shortening the measurement distance and ensuring high-precision and fine control.

[0150] Furthermore, not limited to the stopped state of the carriage 5, even when the carriage 5 is performing a lifting motion, the horizontal distances D1 and D2 to the distance measuring target 25 can be measured by the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27 provided on the carriage 5, thereby enabling the posture control of the carriage 5 to be performed continuously and precisely at all times.

[0151] The upper roller 6 is arranged on the slide 5 in such a manner that the roller axis 6a faces the width direction of the slide 5. The first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 are measured in the width direction of the slide 5. Therefore, the horizontal posture of the slide 5 in the width direction that causes the strip material 2 to meander can be reliably maintained, and the strip material 2 can be prevented from meandering.

[0152] The distance measuring target 25 includes: a wire 30, the upper end of which is connected to the three-dimensional frame 9 supporting the chains 7 and 8; and a counterweight 31, which is connected to the lower end of the wire 30 and is used to stretch the wire 30 straightly in the vertical direction. The structure is extremely simple and can ensure the correct plumbness. The horizontal distances D1 and D2 can be measured with high precision through the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27.

[0153] In order to prevent vibration, the distance measuring target 25 immerses the counterweight 31 in the oil storage part in the container 32. Therefore, even if the counterweight 31 moves due to external force, it can be restored and maintained at a certain position under the damping action of the oil storage part, and the vertical setting state of the wire 30 can be stably maintained.

[0154] Figure 8 2 shows a modified example of the distance measuring target 25 . Figure 8 (A) is a top view of the carriage 5 as viewed from above. Figure 8 (B) is Figure 8 G-G line view in (A).

[0155] In the above embodiment, the case of using a wire 30 as a distance measuring target 25 is described, but the distance measuring target 25 can also be a plate 37 that is arranged straightly in the vertical direction from the top 10 of the three-dimensional frame 9 supporting the chains 7 and 8 and is configured in a manner such that the plate surface 37a faces the displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27.

[0156] The lower portion of the plate 37 is immersed in the oil reservoir to prevent vibration. Thus, even if the plate 37 is moved by external force, the plate 37 can be stably maintained in a vertical installation state.

[0157] Alternatively, a weight 31 may be provided at the lower end of the plate 37 in the same manner as in the case of the wire rod 30 , and the weight 31 may be immersed in the oil reservoir.

[0158] Figure 9 ] Another modified example of the distance measuring target is shown in FIG. Figure 9 (A) is a top view of the carriage 5 as viewed from above. Figure 9 (B) is Figure 9 J-J line view in (A).

[0159] Instead of the wire 30 and plate 37, a column 38 fixedly installed vertically between the three-dimensional frame 9 and the fixed base 3 may be used as the distance measuring target 25. The column 38 may also serve as the support 11 of the three-dimensional frame 9.

[0160] When installing the pillars 38 , the aforementioned wire members 30 are used as temporary members, and the pillars 38 are installed based on the temporary wire members 30 , thereby enabling the pillars 38 to be appropriately installed vertically.

[0161] Even when using Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the case of the distance measuring target 25 including the plate material 37 and the pillar material 38 shown, it is of course possible to achieve the same effects as those of the above embodiment described in the case of the wire material 30 .

[0162] In addition, Figure 4 In the figure, a modified example of the above embodiment is indicated by a dashed line. In the above embodiment, the horizontal distances D1 and D2 are measured in the width direction of the carriage 5, which is suspended from four points in the front, back, left, and right directions (the longitudinal and width directions), to control the horizontal posture of the carriage 5. While this control is usually sufficient, the carriage 5 may also tilt in the longitudinal direction.

[0163] In this modified example, an additional upper displacement measuring sensor 39 is mounted on the upper side of the slide 5 for measuring the third horizontal distance D3 to the distance measuring target 25 in the longitudinal direction of the slide 5 along the direction in which the plurality of upper rollers 6 are arranged, and an additional lower displacement measuring sensor 40 is mounted on the lower side of the slide 5 for measuring the fourth horizontal distance D4 to the distance measuring target 25 in the longitudinal direction of the slide 5.

[0164] Although not shown, jacks 22 are also provided on the second chain 8 side, similarly to the first chain 7 side, and a total of four jacks 22 are used to move the carriage 5 three-dimensionally and control its horizontal posture.

[0165] During the operation of the longitudinal looper 1, the controller 28 not only makes the above-mentioned first horizontal distance D1 and second horizontal distance D2 equal, but also operates the jack 22 in such a manner that the third horizontal distance D3 and fourth horizontal distance D4 inputted from the additional upper displacement measuring sensor 39 and the additional lower displacement measuring sensor 40 become equal.

[0166] As shown in the figure, the distance measuring target 25 used to measure the third distance D3 and the fourth distance D4 by the additional displacement measuring sensors 39 and 40 may share the target used to measure the first distance D1 and the second distance D2, or may be a dedicated target.

[0167] In this modified example, additional displacement measuring sensors 39 and 40 are provided on the upper surface 5a and the lower surface 5b of each slide 5 on both end sides in the longitudinal direction of the slide 5, and two ranging targets 25 and these two groups of additional displacement measuring sensors 39 and 40 are respectively provided on both end sides in the longitudinal direction of the slide 5.

[0168] As the distance measuring target 25, the wire 30 (for example, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), or it may be a plate 37 (refer to Figure 8 ), column material 38 (refer to Figure 9 ).

[0169] The additional displacement measuring sensors 39 and 40 are the same as the above-mentioned displacement measuring sensors 26 and 27. The laser L is emitted from the light projecting unit 33 toward the adjacent distance measuring target 25 in the longitudinal direction of the slide 5, and the laser L from the longitudinal direction of the slide 5 reflected by the distance measuring target 25 is received by the light receiving unit 34, thereby measuring the horizontal distances D3 and D4 to the distance measuring target 25.

[0170] During the operation of the longitudinal looper 1, the following actions are always continuously performed: the additional upper displacement measuring sensor 39 is located at the upper part of the slide 5, and measures the third horizontal distance D3 to the distance measuring target 25 in the longitudinal direction of the slide 5; the additional lower displacement measuring sensor 40 is located at the lower part of the slide 5, and measures the fourth horizontal distance D4 to the distance measuring target 25 in the longitudinal direction of the slide 5. The third horizontal distance D3 and the fourth horizontal distance D4 are constantly input into the controller 28.

[0171] When these horizontal distances D3 and D4 are different (not in a horizontal position), the controller 28 outputs a control signal for a release stroke and a pull-in stroke to the jack 22 to operate the jack 22 so that the difference becomes zero and the distances are equal.

[0172] It is desirable that the controller 28 prioritizes control of the jack 22 in the width direction of the carriage 5, which has a greater impact on the meandering of the strip 2 and a higher adjustment frequency, over control of the jack in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 5. In other words, it is preferable to control the carriage 5 in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 5 when the carriage 5 is horizontal in the width direction (the first horizontal distance D1 and the second horizontal distance D2 are equal).

[0173] The additional displacement measuring sensors 39 and 40 can also be mounted on the carriage 5 by using Figure 7 An example of the installation status is shown.

[0174] In the above description, the case of using the displacement measuring sensors 26 , 27 , 39 , and 40 including the light projecting unit 33 and the light receiving unit 34 has been described. However, other types of sensors may be used as long as they can measure distance.

[0175] In the above description, an example is given of a longitudinal looper 1 in which a fixed base 3 provided with a first roller (lower roller 4) is set on the ground, and a slide 5 with a second roller (upper roller 6) is provided above the fixed base 3 for lifting and lowering. However, it can also be applied to a longitudinal looper 1 in which a fixed base 3 with a first roller is provided at the top 10, and a slide 5 with a second roller is provided below the fixed base 3 for lifting and lowering.

[0176] The above embodiments are for easy understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can of course be changed and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A device for maintaining the horizontality of a carriage of a longitudinal looper, wherein the longitudinal looper alternately winds a strip material around a first roller arranged on a fixed base and a second roller arranged on a carriage suspended by a suspending member for lifting and lowering. The slide horizontal maintenance device of the longitudinal looper is characterized by comprising: an adjusting component, which is arranged between the slide and the suspension member and performs a stroke action in the suspension direction to adjust the suspension height position of the suspended slide; a measured object arranged vertically along the lifting direction of the slide; an upper displacement measuring sensor mounted on an upper side of the carriage that is raised and lowered and configured to measure a first horizontal distance to the object to be measured; a lower displacement measuring sensor mounted on a lower side of the carriage that is raised and lowered and configured to measure a second horizontal distance to the object to be measured; as well as The controller receives the first horizontal distance and the second horizontal distance from the upper displacement measuring sensor and the lower displacement measuring sensor, and operates the adjustment member so that the horizontal distances become equal.

2. The device for maintaining the horizontal position of the carriage of the longitudinal looper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second roller is provided on the carriage with its roller axis facing the width direction of the carriage, and the first horizontal distance and the second horizontal distance are measured in the width direction of the carriage.

3. The slide level maintaining device of the longitudinal looper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The object to be measured includes a wire and a weight. The upper end of the wire is connected to a frame supporting the suspension member, and the weight is connected to the lower end of the wire and is used to stretch the wire straight in a vertical direction.

4. The device for maintaining the carriage level of a longitudinal looper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The object to be measured is a plate that is vertically installed on a frame that supports the suspender.

5. The device for maintaining the carriage level of a longitudinal looper according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower portion of the measured object is immersed in the oil reservoir to prevent shaking.

6. The device for maintaining the carriage level of a longitudinal looper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The measured object is a column member installed straightly in a vertical direction on a frame supporting the suspending member.

7. The device for maintaining the carriage level of a longitudinal looper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An additional upper displacement measuring sensor is mounted on the upper side of the carriage that is raised and lowered, and measures a third horizontal distance to the object to be measured in the longitudinal direction of the carriage along the arrangement direction of the second rollers. An additional lower displacement measuring sensor is mounted on the lower side of the carriage that moves upward and downward and measures a fourth horizontal distance to the object to be measured in the longitudinal direction of the carriage. The controller operates the adjustment member so that the first horizontal distance and the second horizontal distance are equal and the third horizontal distance and the fourth horizontal distance input from the additional upper displacement measuring sensor and the additional lower displacement measuring sensor are equal.

Images