splicing equipment for splicing strips

Abstract

A splicing device for splicing strips includes a conveyor belt for transporting a strip, a splicing device including a splicing unit in which the leading edge of a strip being transported by the conveyor belt is spliced ​​with the trailing edge of a previously spliced ​​strip to form a spliced ​​strip, the splicing device further including a conveyor belt for transporting the spliced ​​strip, and a sensor device for detecting at least the position of a transported strip, based on which the transported strip can be aligned with the spliced ​​strip by means of an alignment device, wherein the sensor device has a first sensor device arranged at a longitudinal position on the conveyor belt and a control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a splicing device for splicing strips, particularly adhesive cord strips, comprising:

[0002] - Transporting a single conveyor belt.

[0003] - A splicing device, comprising a splicing unit in which the leading edge of an adjacent strip conveyed by the conveyor belt is spliced ​​with the trailing edge of a previously spliced ​​strip to form a spliced ​​strip, the splicing device further comprising a conveyor belt for transporting the spliced ​​strip.

[0004] - and a sensor device for detecting the position of at least the conveyed approaching strip, based on which the conveyed approaching strip can be aligned with the splicing strip by means of an alignment device. Background Technology

[0005] Such splicing equipment, for example known as DE 10 2017 120 262 B4, is used in the tire industry to manufacture continuous belts from individual strips made of adhesive cord tape. For this purpose, the individual strips are spliced ​​together along their edges by a splicing device. This splicing device, for example, has a splicing tool with one or more splice joints. In this case, the splice joint or such splice joints are fed from above to the edges previously positioned relative to each other. After the splice joints are placed accordingly, they are pulled linearly across the tape along the splice line in a compressed state towards the lateral edge. These splice joints can be loose or driven. As the tape is pulled across, it is compressed, thereby splicing. In this way, continuous belts required for manufacturing, for example, tire tapes, can be manufactured by splicing multiple individual strips together.

[0006] Individual strips are first cut from the cord tape at the unwinding station in a cutting device and transported by a conveyor belt to the splicing device. The unwinding station holds the initial strip to be wound into a roll. Each strip has a regular parallelogram geometry, with a front and rear tip, a front and rear edge inclined to the conveying direction, and two longitudinal edges parallel to the conveying direction. After cutting, the strips cut in the cutting device are taken over by a conveyor belt and transported to the splicing device. In this device, the front edges of the strips to be spliced ​​are joined with the rear edges of the strips previously spliced ​​onto the continuous belt. It is crucial that the strips to be spliced ​​are correctly positioned relative to each other, particularly ensuring that the longitudinal edges are aligned in a straight line to prevent any lateral edge misalignment in the finished continuous belt. To avoid such misalignment, splicing equipment known from DE 10 2017 120 262 B4 incorporates sensor devices capable of detecting the positional information of the conveyed adjacent strips and determining how one of the two longitudinal edges of the conveyed adjacent strip is positioned and the extent to which that longitudinal edge may be misaligned with the longitudinal edge of the previously spliced ​​strip. If such misalignment is determined, in known splicing equipment, the longitudinal edge of the conveyed adjacent strip is grasped by an alignment device having a clamping mechanism movable along the conveyor belt, and during transport, the strip is laterally pulled to the desired position by the alignment device moving together, in which these longitudinal edges are optimally aligned with the longitudinal edge of the previously spliced ​​strip. While such an alignment device can effectively align the conveyed adjacent strips, its structure and operation are relatively complex.

[0007] An alternative method for aligning conveyor belts that are being transported close together is known from DE 601 01 962 T2. Here, before turning the cut belts in the transport direction leading to the splicing device, the position information of the belts is detected by a sensor device, and based on this, the centerline of the belts is detected and aligned with the centerline of the previously spliced ​​belts (i.e., continuous belts). This alignment is achieved by pivoting the conveyor device at its end adjacent to the splicing device, thereby adjusting the transport position of the conveyor belts that are being transported close together in the pivoted position and aligning these centerlines into a straight line. Furthermore, the splicing table can be moved laterally, with the end of the previously spliced ​​continuous belt placed on it. Position detection at a considerable distance in front of the actual splicing plane is not conducive to accurate alignment because positional changes can still occur over a long transport distance on the conveyor belt, and the position of the centerline used for alignment is not measured but calculated, which also hinders accurate alignment. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved splicing device.

[0009] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned objective is a splicing device of the type mentioned at the beginning, wherein the sensor device has a first sensor device arranged at the longitudinal position of the conveyor belt, which is adapted to detect the position of the longitudinal edge of the belt strip, wherein a control device is provided, which is adapted to measure the lateral offset between the detected longitudinal edge position and the longitudinal edge position of the splicing belt, and when the offset is measured, the control device can manipulate the drive of the splicing device, which is supported in a manner that allows it to move laterally to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, so as to align the two longitudinal edges in a straight line.

[0010] The splicing device according to the invention includes a sensor device having a first sensor unit arranged at a longitudinal position on the conveyor belt. The first sensor unit accurately detects the position of the longitudinal edge of the strip relative to a reference edge, i.e., the lateral position of the longitudinal edge on the front end device. In other words, the actual edge detection of the longitudinal edge is performed, and alignment is performed relative to the longitudinal edge, i.e., aligning the longitudinal edge of the strip with the longitudinal edge of the splicing belt. The sensor device communicates with a control device capable of determining the lateral offset between the detected position of the longitudinal edge of the conveyed strip and the known position of the longitudinal edge of the splicing belt. That is, measuring the actual lateral offset between the two longitudinal edges. Given this offset, the control device manipulates a drive member to move the splicing device laterally to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, so that the two longitudinal edges are aligned with each other. In other words, according to the invention, the end of the splicing belt resting on the splicing device is aligned relative to the conveyed strip, or the longitudinal edge of the splicing belt is aligned relative to the longitudinal edge of the conveyed strip. The longitudinal edge position of the conveyor belt strip being transported close to it is detected shortly before the strip is actually transferred to the splicing device. Therefore, the actual position of the longitudinal edge during the splicing process is known, enabling optimal edge alignment in the splicing plane. The transport distance from the detection position to the splicing position is short, and there is no significant positional change in terms of the edge position. Therefore, based on this positional information, the longitudinal edges of the spliced ​​continuous strips can be optimally aligned. For this purpose, the splicing device itself can move slightly laterally, i.e., laterally to the transport direction; that is, the splicing device itself is an alignment device. The strip end position is fixed and stationary on the splicing device. Therefore, aligning the strip end, which is fixed in position and will not move during the alignment process, achieves extremely precise alignment because only lateral displacement occurs in this case, but the strip itself does not move.

[0011] By determining the position of the longitudinal edge of the conveyed strip along the conveying direction or in the conveying direction (i.e., not far before the actual splicing position) in accordance with the invention, and by simply moving the splicing device to align the non-moving ends of the continuous strip and thereby aligning the longitudinal edges of the continuous strip relative to the moving longitudinal edge of the conveyed strip, the alignment of the longitudinal edges relative to each other can be greatly improved, and after splicing, the longitudinal edges are preferably in a straight line relative to each other.

[0012] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the sensor device may include a second sensor unit arranged adjacent to the end of the conveyor belt at a longitudinal position downstream of the first sensor unit along the conveying direction. The second sensor unit is also adapted to detect the position of the longitudinal edge of the belt strip. The control device is adapted to determine the lateral offset between the longitudinal edge position detected by the second sensor unit and the longitudinal edge position of the splicing belt, and to manipulate the drive unit when the offset is determined. Therefore, the sensor device includes a second sensor unit that, viewed along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, is closer to the splicing device, i.e., adjacent to the end of the conveyor belt, almost just before the belt strip is transferred to the splicing device. The longitudinal edge position of the belt strip being conveyed closer is detected again by the second sensor unit, and this position information is provided to the control device, which then determines the possible offset based on this information. The actual position of the longitudinal edge of the belt strip being conveyed closer is determined at two staggered positions. This achieves approximately level 2 alignment. Once this position is detected by the first sensor unit, the control device can directly manipulate the drive unit and laterally move the splicing device after determining the possible offset to compensate for the offset. This enables feedforward control of the splicing device, moving it to an aligned first position based on a first position detection. If a second sensor detects another position, this second position corresponds to the first position detected by the first sensor. This prevents the control device from determining the offset between the second position and the alignment position of the splicing device, because the longitudinal edge position of the conveyed strip remains unchanged, and the longitudinal edge at the end of the spliced ​​strip is precisely aligned with this position. However, if the position shown by the second position information differs slightly from the first longitudinal edge position information, this slight offset can be directly detected on the splicing device from the actual position of the longitudinal edge corresponding to the first longitudinal edge position, and the splicing device can be further slightly corrected immediately by the control device manipulating the drive mechanism. In this case, recalibration is performed. The second position is measured immediately before transfer, and the possible positional difference is minimal, within millimeters. Therefore, the splicing device position can be directly corrected in the shortest possible time so that the position is corrected when the conveyed strip is transferred to the splicing device.

[0013] The position of the longitudinal edge at the end of the splice strip is known to the control device because this position corresponds to the detected position of the longitudinal edge of the strip spliced ​​in the previous cycle, which was previously detected at its longitudinal edge position as the strip being conveyed closer. Therefore, detecting the longitudinal edge position of the splice strip alone is not absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, it is also advantageous to acquire information in this regard to further improve positioning accuracy or for control purposes. For this purpose, another sensor device for detecting the position of the splice strip can be provided, which includes another sensor device arranged at the longitudinal position of the conveyor belt, the other sensor device being adapted to detect the position of the longitudinal edge of the splice strip, wherein the control device is adapted to determine the lateral offset in consideration of the detected position of the longitudinal edge of the splice strip. Thus, the position of the longitudinal edge of the splice strip, i.e., the actual position, is detected by the other sensor device or the other sensor device corresponding to the conveyor belt. The control device, taking into account the actual position information of the longitudinal edge of the splice strip, determines the possible offset relative to first position information and second position information (if any) of the longitudinal edge of the strip being conveyed closer. That is, there is always actual position information that can be directly detected by the corresponding sensor device to measure the offset, so that the offset can be measured most accurately and thus alignment movement can be performed.

[0014] In this case, the first and / or second and / or another sensor device used to detect the corresponding longitudinal edge position may include at least one optical sensor in the form of a scanline sensor, camera, or laser sensor. Such an optical system can detect the edge position with high precision by correspondingly analyzing the sensor signal or the recorded image, wherein the signal curve or image content always displays the position of the longitudinal edge with high precision, which can be detected by the control device using suitable analysis software. The corresponding sensor is located vertically above the conveyor belt, on which the belt strip rests. Of course, other sensors different from those described above can also be used, as long as they can accurately perform edge detection.

[0015] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the first sensor device may include a sensor for detecting the leading edge of a conveyed strip approaching the control. The sensor detects the leading edge of the conveyed strip entering the detection area and extending obliquely in the conveying direction. This signal can be used by a control device as a trigger signal to initiate a pending alignment movement. The sensor sends its signal slightly earlier than the signal from the first sensor device, so that the control device can already perform feedforward control of the alignment components upon receiving the signal. Then, when the first sensor device sends its signal and immediately afterwards determines a possible offset, the corresponding components (i.e., the drive unit) can be immediately ready and the alignment process can be implemented.

[0016] As described above, alignment is achieved by changing the position of the splicing device and consequently the position of the resting end of the splicing belt on the splicing device. For the corresponding sliding movement, the splicing device is advantageously supported in a manner movable by a linear guide. That is, the splicing device is not fixedly mounted on the bottom side, but can be moved transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt by a corresponding linear guide. In this case, the linear guide may, for example, include rollers mounted on the splicing device, which run within a fixed roller guide. That is, a roller support structure and a guide device are provided for movably supporting the splicing device. In this case, two such linear guides or roller guide devices and corresponding rollers are sufficient to accurately guide the splicing device. For movement, one or more drive motors are provided, which drive different drive elements, such as rollers, spindles, or belts, to move the splicing device along the linear guide.

[0017] In this case, a fixed support plate is provided, at which a roller guide device is mounted. The support plate is located on the bottom side or on a corresponding fixed frame, and the support plate supports the roller guide device. Alternatively, the roller guide device can be directly fixed to the bottom side. The roller guide device is a corresponding guide rail, on which the roller is guided and runs. In an advantageous improvement of the invention, the splicing device can be configured to additionally pivot by + / - 3°, particularly a maximum of + / - 2°, and preferably a maximum of + / - 1°, from a basic position aligned with the conveying direction. Therefore, the splicing device can not only move precisely linearly and precisely transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, but can also pivot at a minimum angle as needed. This allows, for example, adjustment of the orientation of the gap between the trailing edge of the spliced ​​strip and the leading edge of the adjacent conveyor strip. Ideally, a gap is created that is slightly open from one longitudinal side to the other, meaning the two strips ideally come abut together at one edge end and then form a gap that is only a few arcminutes open relative to the other edge end. Of course, this gap is closed during splicing, and this gap, or its geometry, facilitates uniform splicing over the entire splice length. For example, the orientation of the corresponding edge can be detected by a first sensor device, because in addition to the position of the longitudinal edge, the leading and trailing edges of the conveyed adjacent edge segments can also be detected over a certain length by the first sensor device, so that the orientation of the leading and trailing edges can be determined by the control device based on the information from the first sensor device.

[0018] If such a small pivoting possibility is to be realized, a linear guide is particularly preferably adapted to make this pivoting possible. That is, the linear guide allows for a corresponding small pivoting, i.e., the rollers running in the roller guide device are guided at this point, for example, with a certain tolerance, so that adjustments of a few arc minutes can be made.

[0019] The drive unit itself advantageously includes a drive motor connected to the frame of the splicing device. This drive motor is preferably a servo motor, which is arranged in such a way that it is laterally centered on the frame in the transport direction so as to uniformly introduce sliding torque into the frame, thereby linearly and uniformly moving the splicing device via a linear guide without generating any torsional torque.

[0020] An alternative approach involves the drive unit comprising two independently controllable drive motors connected to the frame of the splicing device, the two motors being staggered from each other along the conveying direction. On the one hand, this arrangement allows for precise linear displacement, as the two drive motors can be operated completely synchronously. On the other hand, it also allows for small pivoting movements of a few arc minutes by manipulating the two drive motors in different ways, thereby enabling rotation around the vertical axis.

[0021] In addition to the splicing equipment itself, the present invention also relates to a method for operating splicing equipment for splicing strips, particularly adhesive cord strips, wherein the splicing equipment includes:

[0022] - A conveyor belt for transporting a single strip of goods.

[0023] - A splicing device, comprising a splicing unit in which the leading edge of a belt strip conveyed by the conveyor belt is spliced ​​with the trailing edge of a previously spliced ​​belt strip to form a spliced ​​belt. The splicing device also includes a conveyor belt for transporting the spliced ​​belt.

[0024] - and a sensor device for detecting the position of at least the conveyed approaching strip, and aligning the conveyed approaching strip with the splicing strip based on the position using an alignment device.

[0025] The method is characterized in that the sensor device has a first sensor device arranged at the longitudinal position of the conveyor belt, the position of the longitudinal edge of the conveyor belt is detected by the first sensor device, wherein the lateral offset between the detected longitudinal edge position and the longitudinal edge position of the splicing belt is determined by a control device, and when the offset is determined, the control device manipulates the drive member of the splicing device, which is supported in a manner that allows it to move laterally to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, so as to align the two longitudinal edges in a straight line, and moves the splicing device to compensate for the offset.

[0026] In addition, the position of the longitudinal edge of the belt can be detected by a second sensor device arranged adjacent to the end of the conveyor belt at a longitudinal position downstream of the first sensor device along the conveying direction, wherein the lateral offset is determined by means of the control device in conjunction with the longitudinal edge position detected by the second sensor device.

[0027] In addition, the position of the splice strip can be detected by means of another sensor device arranged at the longitudinal position of the conveyor belt, wherein the control device determines the lateral offset in taking into account the detected longitudinal edge position of the splice strip.

[0028] In this case, at least one optical sensor, in the form of a scan line sensor, camera, or laser sensor, can be used to detect the corresponding longitudinal edge position. This list is not exhaustive; that is, other sensors capable of accurately measuring edge positions can also be used.

[0029] In an improved embodiment of the present invention, the leading edge of the conveyed and approaching strip can be detected by means of the sensor of the first sensor device.

[0030] In addition, to compensate for the offset, the splicing device can be pivoted from a basic position aligned with the transport direction by + / - 3°, particularly a maximum of + / - 2° and preferably a maximum of + / - 1°.

[0031] Finally, one or two drive motors that can be controlled independently, especially servo motors, can be used as drive components.

[0032] All the details, features and advantages of the splicing device described above also apply to the method according to the invention, wherever advantageous. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Other advantages and details of the present invention are described below in the embodiments and accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the splicing device according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2-5 A diagram illustrating the principles of the transportation and assembly process.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a side view schematic diagram of the splicing equipment, showing the first, second, and another sensor device.

[0037] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Top view of the layout shown.

[0038] Figure 8 This is a side view of the splicing device of the splicing equipment according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Top view of the splicing device shown.

[0040] Figure 10 for Figure 8 The image shows a front view of the splicing device viewed from the direction opposite to the conveying direction.

[0041] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a first sensor device having a sensor for the alignment motion initiation process and a first sensor for detecting the position of the strip's longitudinal edge.

[0042] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the alignment principle of a splicing device having a drive unit including a drive motor.

[0043] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the alignment of a splicing device having a drive unit including two drive motors, and

[0044] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of a complete set of equipment used to manufacture continuous belts. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a splicing device 1 according to the invention, comprising a conveyor belt 2 guided around rollers and driven in a circular manner by a drive motor, and a splicing device 3 including splicing units 4 for splicing individual strips. Furthermore, the splicing device 3 includes a conveyor belt 5 on which the spliced ​​continuous strips are placed and transported.

[0046] A cutting device 6 is located upstream of the conveyor belt 2. This cutting device includes a lower blade 7 and an upper blade 8 for cutting individual strips 9 from the continuous belt 10. The individual strips 9 are accommodated on the conveyor belt 2 and conveyed along the conveying direction T to the splicing device 3. The conveyor belt 2 is preferably implemented as a wraparound strip.

[0047] The cut individual strips 9 are conveyed to the splicing device 3, where the spliced ​​belt 11 rests. The end of this spliced ​​belt is formed by the previously spliced ​​strips 9. The splicing unit 4 splices the front end of the strip 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 2 to the free end of the strip 11. To this end, as indicated by the double arrow P1, the upper splicing tool 12 is moved vertically, thereby splicing the two belt end edges together. The longitudinal edge position of the conveyed strip 9 is detected by the first sensor device 13, which includes the first sensor 14. This information is provided to the control device 15, which determines the possible offset between the two longitudinal edges, taking into account the information about the longitudinal edge position of the continuous belt 11. If such offset is detected, the control device 15 operates the drive member 16, which moves the splicing device 3 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction T. For this purpose, the splicing device 3 is supported in a manner that allows it to move via a corresponding linear guide 17.

[0048] Figure 2-5 The conveying and splicing process is illustrated schematically. A belt strip 9 is shown being conveyed close together, placed on the conveyor belt 2 and conveyed along the conveying direction T. A continuous splicing belt 11 and the last belt strip 9 spliced ​​together are also shown, with its free trailing edge 18 directly located in the splicing unit 4, i.e., below the splicing tool 12 (not shown in detail). The splicing line 19 is schematically shown.

[0049] exist Figure 2 At the indicated time point, the position of the longitudinal edge 20 of the conveyed and approaching strip 9 is detected by the first sensor device 13, namely the first sensor 14. The control device 15 measures the possible offset relative to the longitudinal edge 21 of the last spliced ​​strip 9, wherein the longitudinal edge 21 corresponds to the longitudinal edge of the splicing strip 11.

[0050] As the conveying process continues, the conveyed strip 9 moves closer and closer to the splicing device 3, as indicated by the double arrow P2. To compensate for the measured offset, the splicing device is moved laterally in the conveying direction T until the longitudinal edges 20 and 21 are aligned with each other. That is, the lateral position of the longitudinal edge 21 is adapted to the position of the longitudinal edge 20. In this case, the entire splicing device 3 is moved because it is supported in a manner that allows for lateral movement via the linear guide 17, as described above.

[0051] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated case, on the one hand, the splicing device 3 is perfectly aligned, that is, the two longitudinal edges 20 and 21 are precisely in a straight line with each other. On the other hand, the conveyed strip 9 has reached its end position, with its leading edge 22 located in the splicing unit 4 and its edge 22 can be spliced ​​to the edge 21.

[0052] After splicing is completed, the spliced ​​strip 9 is further transported via conveyor belt 5 along the length of the spliced ​​strip 9 until the trailing edge 23 of the spliced ​​strip 9 is positioned in the splicing unit 4, and then the conveying motion stops. Then, it is transported again from... Figure 2 Begin the next cycle, which involves feeding a new strip 9 that was previously cut.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a side view of the splicing device 1 according to the present invention. The conveyor belt 2 and the splicing device 3 and its conveyor belt 5 are shown. Figure 7 for Figure 6 The diagram shows a top view of the splicing equipment, which also shows the conveyor belt 9 being transported close together, as well as the splicing belt 11 and splicing unit 4. The diagram also shows that the conveyor belt 2 is slightly narrower than the transport belt 5.

[0054] The conveyor belt 2 is equipped with a first sensor device 13 located on its longitudinal side, which includes a first sensor 14. The position of the longitudinal edge 20 of the conveyed strip 9 is detected by means of the first sensor device or the first sensor. The first sensor device is laterally positioned slightly outside the conveyor belt 2.

[0055] Optionally, a second sensor device 24 including a second sensor 25 is provided, which, in turn, detects the position of the longitudinal edge 20 of the conveyor belt 9 being transported closer. The first sensor device 13 is spaced relatively far from the end of the conveyor belt 2, while the second sensor device 24 is arranged close to the end of the conveyor belt 2. Therefore, while the first sensor device 13 detects the lateral position of the longitudinal edge 20 at a certain distance from the transfer position where the belt 9 is transferred from the conveyor belt 2 to the transport belt 5, the second sensor device 24 is located directly in the transfer area.

[0056] Optionally, another sensor device 26, including another sensor 27, is provided to determine the position of the longitudinal edge 21 of the splicing belt 11 or the last spliced ​​strip 9. Thus, the other sensor device 26 is arranged on the splicing device 3, while the first and second sensor devices 13 and 24 are arranged on the conveyor belt 2 or the frame or similar component thereon.

[0057] All sensor devices 13, 24, 26 or their sensors 14, 25, 27 include or are all optical sensors, particularly scanline sensors; alternatively, cameras or laser sensors may also be used. The respective sensors can accurately determine the position of the corresponding longitudinal edges 20, 21 in terms of their lateral position, enabling the control device 15 to detect possible offsets.

[0058] In principle, given the known position of the longitudinal edge 21 of the splicing belt 11, the first sensor device 13 alone is sufficient to achieve optimal offset correction by laterally moving the splicing device 3, since this position was ultimately measured by the first sensor device 13 at an earlier point in time (i.e., while the last spliced ​​strip 9 was still on the conveyor belt 2), and the splicing device 3 was already aligned relative to this edge position. Nevertheless, using the second sensor device 24 is advantageous because it allows for a re-check of the edge position at a later point in time, thus re-checking the initial alignment. Therefore, when determining a possible offset, after detecting the edge position by the first sensor device 14, the control device 15 can immediately align the splicing device 3 and laterally move it by the drive member 16, so that the longitudinal edges 20, 21 are aligned with each other relative to this point in time. The edge position can be checked by the second sensor device 24, which again detects the position of the longitudinal edge 20 of the conveyed strip 9 that is being moved closer together. If this position information matches the position information previously detected by the first sensor device 13, no further final correction is required. However, if there is a slight deviation, the control device 15 can re-measure the possible small offset and immediately move the splicing device 3 via the drive member 16 to compensate for the offset again.

[0059] As described above, the position of the longitudinal edge 21 is essentially known. However, in order to check this position information again, another sensor device 26 with another sensor 27 can be provided, which detects the position again, and this information can also be taken into account by the control device 15.

[0060] Figure 8 This is a side view detail of the splicing device 3, and Figure 9 Then it is Figure 8 The splicing device 3 is shown as a top view. A wraparound conveyor belt 5 is shown, guided by suitable roller guides and driven in a wraparound manner by a drive motor 28, causing the upper section to move along the conveying direction T. The splicing device 3 includes a frame 29 on which the conveyor belt 5 is supported. The frame 29 can move linearly via two linear guides 17 and, as previously described, can move transversely to the conveying direction T. For this purpose, a drive element 16, preferably a drive motor, particularly a servo motor, is employed, arranged on a separate support bracket 30 and coupled to the frame 29.

[0061] The linear guide 17 includes rollers 31 arranged on or within a frame 29, which run on and are guided by corresponding roller guide devices 32, which are arranged on a support plate 33, which is fixedly mounted on the bottom side. As indicated by double arrow P2, the corresponding lateral displacement can be achieved by the drive member 16, so that the splicing device 3 can be adjusted laterally relative to the transport direction T, and therefore, relative to... Figure 9 Adjust the end of conveyor belt 2 shown on the right. This allows for the necessary offset compensation.

[0062] Figure 10 This is the corresponding front view viewed in the direction opposite to the conveying direction T. Viewed laterally, it can be seen that the frame 29 is guided on the track-shaped roller guide device 32 by two independent arrangements of rollers 31, thus forming a quasi-four-point support and guide device overall.

[0063] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the first sensor device 13. The first sensor device is fixedly mounted on the frame 35 of the conveyor belt 2 via a corresponding bracket 34. The first sensor device is located above the conveyor belt 2, which is guided by guide rollers 36 on both sides, and the cut strip 9 is placed on the conveyor belt. In the example shown, the strip protrudes slightly beyond the edge of the conveyor belt 2 with its longitudinal edge 20, but this is not necessary; more precisely, the strip can also be flush with the edge or further integrated.

[0064] The first sensor device 13 is located above the longitudinal edge region. On one hand, this first sensor device includes a first sensor 14, which is oriented in a certain way such that its measurement field of view 37 (as indicated by the arrow) can detect the longitudinal edge 20 regardless of circumstances. That is, the position of the longitudinal edge can be accurately detected by the sensor signal provided by sensor 14 (whether a scanning signal, a reflected signal, or a recorded image), and this position can be determined relative to a reference edge 38 shown herein, preferably by the control device 15. The reference edge 38 is defined by the system or determined by the first sensor device 13.

[0065] Also shown is a sensor 39 integrated in the first sensor device 13, by which the leading edge 22 of the strip 9 is detected. The leading edge 22 is detected by sensor 39 slightly earlier than the longitudinal edge 20. Figure 2-5As shown, once the tilted edge 22 is detected and the control device 15 receives the signal, the control device can initiate a possible pending alignment process. For this purpose, the drive member 16 has been manipulated accordingly, for example. In this case, once the longitudinal edge 20 is detected by the first sensor device 13 and the control device 15 determines the possible offset relative to the longitudinal edge 21, the control device 15 can directly manipulate the drive member 16 and laterally move the splicing device 3 to compensate for the offset. This enables feedforward control.

[0066] As the conveyor belt 9 is further conveyed, it enters the area of ​​the second sensor device 24, which again detects the edge 20. Sensor device 24 also has a corresponding second sensor 25, preferably the same sensor as sensor device 13, where the control device 15 analyzes the detected edge position again. Although compensated, a small residual offset may still be detected. If this occurs, the control device 15 will again actuate the drive 16 to immediately compensate for this offset.

[0067] Figure 12 The diagram shows the splicing device 3 as a top view, in which only one drive element 16 is provided, i.e., only one drive motor is provided. Viewed along the conveying direction, the splicing device is preferably positioned at the longitudinal center of the frame 29. In this design with only one drive element 16 (i.e., only one servo driver), as indicated by the double arrow P2, the splicing device 3 is moved synchronously and uniformly by two linear guide devices.

[0068] and Figure 13 A variant is shown in which two independent drive units 16 are provided, i.e., two independently operable drive motors or servo motors. These drive units are offset relative to the longitudinal center of the frame 29. In this way, by simultaneously operating the two drive units, the splicing device 3 can be moved synchronously via two linear guide devices 17. As an alternative, such as... Figure 13 As shown, this also allows for small pivoting movements. For this purpose, for example, the two drive members 16 or drive motors can be manipulated slightly in opposite directions to push one drive member 16 and pull the other, or the stroke lengths can be adjusted, etc. This is indicated by separate double arrows P3 and P4. Figure 13 As shown, in any case, this allows for a certain pivoting or tilting of the splicing device 3 relative to the conveying direction T of the conveyor belt 2, which is only shown here. Figure 13As shown, this allows for a slight tilt or pivot of the trailing edge 18 of the splicing strip 11. This adjusts the shape of the gap between the two edges 18, 22 generated in the splicing unit 4 before splicing, when the two strips 9 to be spliced ​​are stationary. This gap should preferably widen slightly from one end to the other, i.e., in the region of the trailing tip of the strip 11, contacting the edge 22 of the adjacent strip 9 being conveyed, and from there slightly widening towards the other edge end. This slight tilt or pivot, lasting only a few arcminutes, can be achieved by two linear guide devices 17, which may have certain tolerances to allow for desired adjustment via two drive members 16. The orientation of the edges 18, 22 can be detected by the first sensor device 13 or its sensor 14, as these edges pass through the detection area of ​​the sensor 14, and the control device 15 can determine the edge orientation accordingly.

[0069] at last, Figure 14 The layout of a system for manufacturing such a continuous belt, from which it is further processed after manufacture, is shown. An unwinding station 40 is shown from which the cord belt to be processed is obtained. In the unwinding station 40, the spool of cord belt to be processed is suspended in a suitable receiving portion and unwound. As indicated by double arrow P5, the unwinding station 40 can pivot to achieve different cutting angles.

[0070] Following the unwinding station 40 is the cutting device 41, in which the strip 9 is cut using a suitable blade. For this purpose, for example, a fly knife is used, which includes a fixed lower blade and a vertically movable upper blade. To transport the cord fed from the unwinding station 40 via the conveying device 42 through the cutting device 41, a gripping device 43 is provided, which grasps the leading edge of the cord and pulls it through the cutting device 41.

[0071] Downstream of the cutting device 41 is a splicing device 1 according to the invention. After cutting, the cut strip 9 is placed on the conveyor belt 2, which transports the strip 9 along the conveying direction T to the splicing device 3, which can, in principle, move laterally as described above and as indicated by double arrow P2. As shown by double arrow P6, the pivotability of the splicing unit 4 is also shown so as to accommodate different cutting angles. As shown by double arrow P7, the spliced ​​strip 11 located on the conveyor belt 5 can be moved from the conveyor belt 5 to another optional conveyor belt 44, which is also part of the splicing device 1 and can move laterally together with the splicing device 3. Another such conveyor belt 44 may be provided, but it is not necessary. The continuous strip 11 is then wound up by a winding station (not shown in detail), where a slitting machine may be provided upstream, for dividing the continuous strip into two parts, and a repair strip or distribution device may also be provided.

Claims

1. A splicing device for splicing strips, comprising: - A conveyor belt (2) that transports a strip (9). - A splicing device (3), which includes a splicing unit (4) in which the leading edge (22) of a strip (9) conveyed by the conveyor belt (2) is spliced ​​with the trailing edge (18) of a previously spliced ​​strip (9) to form a spliced ​​strip (11). The splicing device also includes a conveyor belt (5) for transporting the spliced ​​strip. - and a sensor device for detecting the position of at least the conveyed approaching strip (9), based on which the conveyed approaching strip (9) can be aligned with the splicing strip (11) by means of an alignment device. Its features are, The sensor device has a first sensor device (13) arranged at a longitudinal position on the conveyor belt (2), which is adapted to detect the position of the longitudinal edge (20) of the belt strip (9), wherein a control device (15) is provided, which is adapted to determine the lateral offset between the detected position of the longitudinal edge (20) and the position of the longitudinal edge (21) of the splicing belt (11), and when the offset is determined, the control device can manipulate the drive (16) of the splicing device (3) which is supported in a manner that allows it to move laterally to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt (2), so that the two longitudinal edges (20, 21) are aligned in a straight line.

2. The splicing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor device includes a second sensor device (24) arranged adjacent to the end of the conveyor belt (2) at a longitudinal position downstream of the first sensor device (13) along the conveying direction, and the second sensor device is also adapted to detect the position of the longitudinal edge (20) of the strip (9), wherein the control device (15) is adapted to determine the lateral offset of the position of the longitudinal edge (20) detected by the second sensor device (24) from the position of the longitudinal edge of the splice belt (11) and is adapted to manipulate the drive (16) when the offset is determined.

3. The splicing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Another sensor device is provided for detecting the position of the spliced ​​strip (9), which includes another sensor device (26) arranged at the longitudinal position of the conveyor belt, the other sensor device being adapted to detect the position of the longitudinal edge (21) of the spliced ​​strip (9), wherein the control device (15) is adapted to determine the lateral offset taking into account the detected position of the longitudinal edge (21) of the spliced ​​strip (9).

4. The splicing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first sensor device (13) and / or the second sensor device (24) and / or another sensor device (26) used to detect the position of the corresponding longitudinal edge include at least one optical sensor in the form of a scan line sensor, a camera, or a laser sensor.

5. The splicing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first sensor device (13) includes a sensor (39) for detecting the leading edge (22) of the conveyed strip (9).

6. The splicing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The splicing device (3) is supported in a manner that allows it to move via a linear guide (17).

7. The splicing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The linear guide (17) includes a roller (31) disposed at the splicing device (3), which runs within or at a fixed roller guide device (32).

8. The splicing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, A support plate (33) with a fixed position is provided, and the roller guide device (32) is provided at the support plate, or the roller guide device (32) is fixed to the bottom side.

9. The splicing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The splicing device (3) is additionally pivotable by an angle of + / - 3° from a basic position that is in line with the transport direction.

10. The splicing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The splicing device (3) is additionally pivotable by an angle of + / - 3° from a basic position that is in line with the transport direction.

11. The splicing device according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, The splicing device (3) is additionally pivotable by an angle of + / - 2° from a basic position that is in line with the transport direction.

12. The splicing device according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, The splicing device (3) is additionally pivotable by an angle of + / - 1° from a basic position that is in line with the transport direction.

13. The splicing device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The linear guide (17) is adapted to enable the pivoting.

14. The splicing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drive unit (16) includes a drive motor connected to the frame (29) of the splicing device (3).

15. The splicing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drive unit (16) includes two drive motors that can be operated independently. The two drive motors are connected to the frame (29) of the splicing device (3), and the two drive motors are staggered from each other along the conveying direction.

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