Apparatus for providing a material web

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a material strip, particularly a cord, comprising: - an unwinding device for unwinding a material strip, including two retainers, each retainer for receiving a roll of material strip, wherein the two retainers move between a non-operating position and an operating position, wherein a roll is received in the non-operating position and the roll is unwound in the operating position; - a transport device downstream of the unwinding device for transporting the unwound material strip; - a device for connecting the tail end of the unwound material strip to the head end of the material strip to be unwound; - a position detection device having a sensing device for detecting sensor information, the sensor information The document describes the position of a material strip in a retainer, wherein the position of the material strip to be unwound can be aligned relative to the unwound material strip according to the position information; characterized in that the sensing device is capable of detecting sensor information during the movement of the retainer from the non-operating position to the operating position, and the control device is configured to determine the position information and control the actuator to move the respective retainer laterally to the transport direction of the transport device based on the position information, such that, at the end of the movement to the operating position, the respective retainer is positioned such that the end of the material strip to be unwound is aligned with the end of the unwound material strip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a device for providing a material belt, particularly a rope belt, comprising:

[0002] An unwinding device for unwinding a material strip wound in a roll, comprising a first receiver and a separate second receiver for holding a roll of material strip, wherein the first and second receivers are each reversibly movable between a non-operating position and an operating position, wherein a roll is placed or prepared in the non-operating position and the roll is unwound in the operating position.

[0003] A transport device, downstream of the unwinding device, is used to receive the unwound material strip;

[0004] A device for connecting the tail end of a strip of material to be unwound on a transport device to the head end of the strip of material to be unwound;

[0005] A position detection device includes a sensing device for detecting sensor information describing the position of a strip of material to be unwound in a first receiver and a second receiver, and a control device for determining position information based on the sensor information, wherein the position of the strip of material to be unwound can be aligned relative to the unwound strip of material according to the position information. Background Technology

[0006] This device for supplying material strips is used in belt or fabric processing industries, such as the tire industry. The material strip can be, for example, a cord, typically a strip of adhesive material such as a fabric rope or wire rope. The device is designed to unwind the material strip, which is typically stored in a starting strip wound in coils, making it available for downstream processing steps. For processing, the material strip is unwound, for example, unrolled, guided through product handling, and rewound at the end of the system. This device is described, for example, in DE 202013 103 530 U1.

[0007] The device itself includes an unwinding device for unwinding a strip of material wound in rolls. The strip is typically wound onto a spindle, and on the spindle, the strip is received in a receiver of the unwinding device, which allows the roll to rotate to unwind the strip. The unwinding device includes a first receiver and a separate second receiver for receiving the rolls of material, wherein the two receivers are offset from each other. Each receiver is reversibly movable between a non-operating position and an operating position, wherein a roll is placed or prepared in the non-operating position, and in the operating position the roll is unwound. In the non-operating position, a new roll can be received, for example, introduced or prepared in the respective receiver, wherein “prepared” means that the free end of the new strip of material, which, as described below, is attached to the tail end of a previously completed or partially unwound strip of material, can be positioned in a particular manner. In the operating position, on the other hand, the strip can be unwound. The reversible movement of the two receivers between the non-operating and operating positions means that one receiver is in the non-operating position and can be loaded, while the other receiver is in the operating position, unwinding the strip.

[0008] Following the unwinding device is a transport device for receiving the unwound material strip. The transport device typically includes a roller arrangement that serves as a release and guide roller. The transport device actively moves the material strip, thereby unwinding the roll and transporting it to a downstream processing unit.

[0009] Furthermore, a device is provided for connecting the tail end of the unwound material strip located on a transport device to the head end of the material strip to be unwound. In the case of adhesive cords, such as those used in the tire industry, the connecting device is a splicing device that connects the tail end of the unwound material strip to the head end of the material strip to be unwound. Thus, two strips from two rolls are joined together to form a continuous strip.

[0010] In addition, a position detection device is provided, including a sensing device for capturing sensor information describing the position of the material strip to be unwound in a first receiver and a second receiver, and a control device for determining position information based on the sensor data. According to the position information, the position of the material strip to be unwound can be aligned relative to the unwound material strip. As described above, the ends of the unwound material strip and the material strip to be unwound are connected in a connecting device, i.e., a splicing device. To achieve this, the ends and the final edges must be aligned relative to each other to avoid any unnecessary lateral offset between the two strip segments during the connection process. This offset can cause the unwound material strip to be placed in a downstream processing unit in an unwanted lateral position. This offset increases because, as described above, the material strip is wound onto a spool or roller, on which it is received or stored in the receiver. It is also possible that the strip is wound off-center from the spool, meaning a lateral offset of a few millimeters or centimeters. Since the spool is always received in the same position in its respective receiver, the lateral offset results in the unwound strip being connected to the unwound strip with an offset during placement. To compensate for this offset, a position detection device is provided, which captures sensor information via a sensing device. Based on this sensor information, a corresponding control device determines the position information of the strip to be unwound. Based on this position information, the working position can then be adjusted to ensure that both ends are aligned with each other in the final position.

[0011] In known devices, suitable optical equipment is used to detect the outer edge of a new roll of material, which is already in the working position. This optical equipment must be properly positioned for this purpose. Once the edge of the strip is detected, the current position of the new material strip in the working position is known. The optical equipment also captures the edge of the unwound strip, which allows verification of any lateral offset. If such offset exists, the actual working position is corrected, meaning the unwinding device is adjusted accordingly. This is accomplished by laterally moving the receivers. The unwinding device can be implemented as a shuttle device, where two receivers are mounted on a transport frame that can move linearly. In this case, the two receivers can be laterally displaced in the unwinding direction between the non-operating position and the working position. In this case, alignment or adjustment is achieved by a slight lateral displacement, which is part of the working position correction. Another embodiment of the unwinding device is a rotating device. In this case, two receivers are positioned on a rotating frame that moves them between the non-operating position and the working position by rotational motion. The rotating frame is also linearly mounted so that it can move as a whole. If initial setting of the working position correction is required, it is implemented by slightly lateral displacement of the rotating frame and its receiver based on a given offset.

[0012] While this allows for correction or adjustment, the process is labor-intensive because one must first reach the initial working position, position the optics, capture and evaluate sensor information, and only then can any necessary adjustments be made. This naturally involves a significant amount of time and labor. Utility Model Content

[0013] This invention solves the problem of providing an improved device for conveying material strips.

[0014] To address this problem, the present invention aims to enable sensor information to be captured by a sensing device during the movement of the first and second receivers from a non-operating position to an operating position in a device of the initially mentioned type. A control device for determining position information and for controlling the actuator to laterally move the first and second receivers in the transport direction of the transport device is designed such that, at the end of the movement into the operating position, the first and second receivers are positioned such that the end of the material strip to be unwound is aligned with the end of the unwound material strip.

[0015] In the configuration device according to this invention, the relevant positional information for the new, subsequent unwound tape is determined during its movement from a non-working position to a working position. The sensing device is set and configured to record sensor information during the movement of the respective first and second receivers from the non-working position (after the new tape roll has been guided into the receiver) to the working position for unwinding. This allows the characteristics of the tape's position in the receiver to be determined, ultimately determining the actual position of the tape roll on the wire axis and within the receiver. The control device can then determine, based on the sensor information, the accurate positional data of the receiver that must be moved to for the working position. It can control an actuator to laterally move the receiver during unwinding in the transport direction of the material tape, so that it directly reaches the final working position. That is, in a single movement from the non-working position to the working position, the new tape roll and its end to be connected are precisely positioned in the final connection position to connect the end of the unwound tape, thus ensuring accurate alignment. Therefore, there is no method of reaching the working position followed by position correction.

[0016] The device according to this invention provides a significantly more efficient and faster configuration of a new material roll, which is precisely aligned so that the connection at both ends can occur almost immediately upon entering the working position, followed by unwinding of the new roll. This means that the feeding process is simply interrupted.

[0017] The sensing device itself advantageously reports at least one first sensor and at least one second sensor, wherein the first sensor is positioned on the movement path of one receiver and the second sensor is positioned on the movement path of another receiver. Thus, at least two separate sensors are used, one sensor assigned to one receiver and the other to another. Both sensors are positioned on the respective movement paths of the receivers, meaning they are placed at the location where the material roll passes through a receiver. The corresponding sensor information, particularly information regarding the position of the longitudinal edge of the roll, is captured as the roll passes each sensor. Naturally, the sensors are positioned in such a way that the roll passes as close to them as possible.

[0018] In another development of this invention, the detection device may include at least one third sensor, which is assigned to the transport device and detects sensor information describing the position of the tail end of the tape material to be unwound within or on the transport device. The control device is designed to determine additional position information based on the sensor information and control the actuation devices of the first and second receivers accordingly. The third sensor, which is part of the detection device, is assigned to the transport device. This sensor detects relevant information about the end of the unwound tape, allowing the control device to determine the actual position of the end of the moving tape. This actual position ultimately represents the desired position, with the new, incoming tape end and receiver aligned with this desired position. The control device, which determines the corresponding position information of the unwound moving tape, is now configured to integrate this position information with the control of the actuation devices, which control the movement of their respective receivers. This means that the control parameters of the actuation devices are determined by considering the position information of the new, unwound tape and the position information of the old, unwound tape.

[0019] In a simple alternative example, such a third sensor can be omitted because, on the one hand, the edge position of the unwound tape is initially measured while it is still in the receiver and just becoming available. It can be assumed that the position of the end of the unwound tape is not different from the starting position of this tape. This means that the respective receivers can be aligned based on the previously detected position of the tape. However, slight inaccuracies in winding during the tape winding onto the roll, or slight misalignment of the tape during unwinding, can prevent the complete exclusion of displacement of a few millimeters or centimeters at the end of the tape. Therefore, detecting the current position of the end of the unwound tape is advantageous.

[0020] If such a third sensor is used, it is preferably designed to detect the entire width of the unwound material strip. This is advantageous because both longitudinal edges can be detected by the sensor. The sensor itself is naturally fixed in place, just as the end of the strip is fixed in place, i.e., it will not move laterally.

[0021] In another development of this invention, the control device can determine the position of one or two longitudinal edges of the unwound material strip as position information, and / or the position of one or two longitudinal edges of the unwound material strip as additional position information, based on which actuation device can be controlled. Therefore, at least one longitudinal edge of the unwound strip is detected, and if the width of the strip is known, the position of the second longitudinal edge is also automatically known. Naturally, the positions of the two longitudinal edges can also be determined by a radiation device when both edges pass through the detection area of ​​the sensor. The position of the longitudinal edges, in any case, forms the basis for determining the corresponding control information, which is used to control the actuation device to reach the final working position with a single movement. For the unwound, moving strip, the position information of the longitudinal edges from the previous working cycle is known, or, as described above, detected by a third sensor. In any case, the alignment of the two strips or their ends can be implemented based on at least one longitudinal edge of the two strips, provided that the two strips nominally have the same width.

[0022] In another design, conversely, the condition is that the control device used to determine the center position of the unwound material strip is based on the position of the longitudinal edges of the unwound material strip, using the position of the longitudinal edges of the unwound strip, and / or the center position of the unwound material strip as additional position information. An actuation device is controlled such that the center of the unwound strip is aligned with the center of the unwound strip. According to this design, the ends of the two strips or belts are not aligned relative to a longitudinal edge, but rather relative to their respective centers. This design is particularly advantageous because, on the one hand, the actual width of two nominally equal strips can vary very slightly, and on the other hand, a narrower strip can be added to a wider strip if a significant width change is made. When the two ends of the strips are aligned with their respective centers, it ensures that the new strip is provided to the transport device and further transported to a suitable location. The basis for determining the center of the new, unwound strip is the determination of the positions of the two longitudinal edges from which the accurate width can be calculated and thus the center. The center of the unwound strip can ultimately be determined in the same manner from the originally recorded longitudinal edge position data or from position data newly detected for the longitudinal edges. This is achieved through ordinary control equipment.

[0023] As described above, the two ends provided by the connecting device are connected to each other. In particular, a suitable splicing device includes a preparation strip and a splicing strip. A common method is to fix the beginning end of the unwound strip in a non-working position on the preparation strip, which is then spliced ​​to the end end of the unwound strip. This non-working position can also be referred to as the preparation position. In the case of a shuttle configuration of the unwound device, each receiver is assigned to a separate preparation strip. In the case of a rotating frame configuration of the unwound device, each receiver can also be assigned to a separate preparation strip, but preferably a pivotable preparation strip, which can be assigned to receivers arranged in opposite directions by pivoting the respective receivers in the non-working position. In any case, the end of the new material strip is fixed to the preparation strip. However, it is positioned such that the end passes through assigned sensors, i.e., the first and second sensors are positioned at the lower end of a plane, through which the preparation strip moves. This ensures that the end of the strip inevitably moves through the detection area of ​​the respective sensor.

[0024] As described above, different configurations of the two bases of the unwinding device are possible: a shuttle configuration or a rotating frame configuration. In a shuttle configuration, two receivers are positioned on a common transport frame or on multiple separate transport frames, which can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport device by actuators on linear guides. The first and second sensors are positioned offset from both ends of the transport device. The two receivers can move linearly perpendicular to the transport direction of the strip via the common transport frame or the two separate transport frames, and thus can be displaced to corresponding positions by moving relative to each other, with two non-working positions spaced apart on either side and a working position located in between. To achieve this, the transport frames can be linearly mounted on corresponding linear guides, and the actuators induce linear movement. This movement is, for example, driven by one or more spindles controlled by servo motors. The two sensors are positioned offset from both sides of the transport device and at positions where their respective strip rolls move through their entire width, such that each sensor can easily detect the two longitudinal edges.

[0025] In a rotating frame configuration, the receivers are mounted on a common rotating frame that can be rotated about a rotation axis by a drive mechanism. The first and second sensors are positioned on a circular path around the rotation axis. To move between the two positions, the rotating frame rotates, and with its assistance, the two receivers rotate, one moving from a non-operating position to an operating position, and the other moving from an operating position to a non-operating position. The two receivers thus move along a circular path, which is why the first and second sensors are positioned on corresponding circular paths around the rotation axis. Again, this positioning ensures that the wrapped band passes through the detection area of ​​the respective sensor, allowing both longitudinal edges to be detected. To move the rotating frame along the receivers, a gear drive with one or more suitable servo motors is preferably used, which allows for precise determination of the position of each receiver along the movement path, thus determining the accurate angular position of the rotating frame, and therefore the receivers. This ensures that the recorded sensor information and determined position data can be precisely assigned to an accurate angle, and therefore to a precise position on the circular path.

[0026] Preferably, the two receivers are positioned 180° apart on the rotating frame, i.e., they are positioned opposite each other. In this case, the movement of the switching receiver is preferably a 180° movement with alternating directions, meaning that no 360° rotation occurs.

[0027] In this setup, the receiver is offset by 180°. It is advantageous if the first and second sensors are positioned 90° apart from each other between the non-operating and operating positions. In this configuration, the non-operating position is identical for both receivers and for the operating position, except for any necessary corrective offset. It is advantageous if the two sensors are positioned 90° apart, one relative to the direction of rotation and the other relative to the opposite direction of rotation, because at this position, the two longitudinal edges of the roll move through the sensors at the same speed. However, in a position closer to either the operating or non-operating position, the longitudinal edges will pass through the detection area of ​​the other sensor at different speeds due to deceleration or acceleration. The 90° position provided by this invention thus aids in position determination.

[0028] In addition to the device, this utility model also relates to a method of operating a device for providing a material belt, particularly a rope belt, comprising:

[0029] An unwinding device for unwinding a material strip that is received in the form of a roll, comprising a first receiver and a separate second receiver for receiving each roll of material strip, wherein the first and second receivers are each reversibly movable between a non-working position and a working position, wherein a roll is received or prepared in the non-working position and the roll is unwound in the working position.

[0030] A transport device, downstream of the unwinding device, is used to receive the unwound material strip;

[0031] A device for splicing the tail end of a strip of material to be unwound on a transport device to the head end of the strip of material to be unwound;

[0032] A position detection device includes a sensing device for detecting sensor information describing the position of a strip of material to be unwound in a first receiver and a second receiver, and a control device for detecting position information based on the sensor information, wherein the position of the strip of material to be unwound can be aligned relative to the unwound strip of material according to the position information.

[0033] The method according to this utility model is characterized in that, during the movement of the first receiver and the second receiver from the non-working position to the working position, sensor information is detected by the sensing device, and the control device determines the position information, and controls the actuator based on the position information to move the first receiver and the second receiver laterally in the transport direction of the transport device, such that at the end of the movement into the working position, the first receiver and the second receiver are positioned such that the end of the material strip to be unwound is aligned with the end of the material strip to be unwound.

[0034] Alternatively, a sensing device may be used, having at least one first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first sensor is positioned on the movement path of a receiver and the second sensor is positioned on the movement path of the second receiver.

[0035] It is also advantageous to use at least one third sensor, which is assigned to the transport equipment and detects sensor information describing the position of the unwound material strip within or at its end on the transport equipment. The control equipment then determines additional position information based on the sensor information and controls the actuators of the first and second receivers accordingly.

[0036] In addition, the control device determines the position of one or two longitudinal edges of the material strip to be unwound as position information, and / or determines the position of one or two longitudinal edges of the material strip to be unwound as additional position information, and the actuator is controlled based on the position information and the additional position information.

[0037] In another development of the method according to the present invention, the control device can determine the center position of the material strip to be unwound as position information based on the position of the longitudinal edge of the material strip to be unwound, and / or determine the center position of the unwound material strip as additional position information based on the position of the longitudinal edge of the unwound material strip, and control the actuator to align the center of the strip to be unwound with the center of the unwound material strip.

[0038] The present invention also provides that the first end of the unwound tape is positioned on a preparation track of a first or second receiver during movement, wherein the first and second sensors detect sensor information in a plane that is lower than the plane through which the preparation track passes.

[0039] In an embodiment where the unwinding device functions as a shuttle device, two receivers may be positioned on a common transport frame or on multiple separate transport frames, and can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport device via actuators on a linear guide. The first and second sensors are configured to be offset from both ends of the transport device.

[0040] Finally, in an embodiment where the unwinding device is a rotating frame device, the receiver is mounted on a common rotating frame that can be rotated about a rotation axis by a drive device and moved laterally in the transport direction of the transport device by an actuator. The rotating frame is rotated to move the receiver, and the first and second sensors are positioned on a circular path around the rotation axis.

[0041] All features of the device described in this utility model are equally applicable to the method described in this utility model. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Further advantages and details of this invention will be set forth in the embodiments described below and in the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a device used to provide a material strip, specifically a rope strip.

[0044] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a roll of material with a central winding strip;

[0045] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a roll of material with an eccentrically wound strip;

[0046] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a roll of material, which has a strip of material to be unwound and the end of a strip of material that has already been unwound; the two strips of material are to be joined together.

[0047] Figure 5According to the schematic diagram of the device of this utility model, it is in the form of a shuttle device, which has linear movement for moving the receiver and changing the material roll, and has a central winding material roll.

[0048] Figure 6 :according to Figure 5 The diagram shows an eccentrically wound material strip.

[0049] Figure 7 :according to Figure 5 The diagram shows a narrower strip of material to be connected to a wider strip of material.

[0050] Figure 8 According to the schematic diagram of the device of this utility model, it is in the form of a rotating frame device, which has selective movement for moving the receiver and changing the material roll, and has a central winding material roll.

[0051] Figures 9-14 : A diagram used to explain the conversion and connection process.

[0052] Figures 15-19 A schematic diagram of the movement of a receiver, showing an eccentrically wound material strip in the working position, illustrating the detection of the material strip by a distributed sensor and the correction of the working position.

[0053] Figures 20-22 : A schematic diagram of the movement of two receivers, with a centrally wound material strip to replace an unwound material strip roll with a new material strip roll. Detailed Implementation

[0054] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The device is used to provide a strip of material, particularly a rope or cord. Device 1 includes an unwinding device 2 for unwinding a strip of material 4, the strip of material 4 being in the form of a roll 3. The unwinding device 2 has separate receivers, each receiver for receiving a roll 3. Figure 1 For clarity, only one receiver with one volume 3 is shown here, and its specific structure will be discussed later. In any case, each receiver, and correspondingly each volume 3, can be moved into... Figure 1The work position is shown, where the material strip 4 can be unwound from the roll 3. The material strip 4 is brought from the roll 3 into a downstream transport device 5 of the unwinding device 2, which is a corresponding roll arrangement through which the material strip 4 is conveyed and unwound. Downstream of the transport device 5 is a material support 6, on which the material strip 4 is further transported to a downstream processing device. The entire device 1 rotates about a vertical axis 7, such that the angle at which the material strip 4 is provided to the downstream processing device can be changed. This processing device can be, for example, a cutting device, in which a corresponding portion of the material strip 4 is cut off and further processed. To make this angle adjustable, a drive device 8 is provided, through which the entire device 1 can move about the axis 7 along an arcuate path, wherein the device 1 is movably mounted by suitable bearing arrangements 9.

[0055] In addition, a position detection device 10 is provided, which includes a sensing device 11 and a control device 12. The operation of the operating elements of the device 1, i.e., all actuators, drive elements, etc., can be controlled by the control device 12. The sensing device 12 has at least two sensors, each of which is positioned in the movement path of one of the receivers described below. Sensor information is collected by the sensing device 12, and the corresponding position information for the tape material 4 is determined based on the sensor information, wherein the tape material 4 is moved into the previous roll 3 when it was unwound. Figure 1 The device is positioned as shown and connected to the end of the unwound tape. Based on the position information, the control device then controls the corresponding actuator, which moves the receiver carrying the new roll 3 into the working position. This process will be described in more detail later.

[0056] As described above, when a new roll 3 is moved into the working position, the beginning end of the new material strip 4 and the end end of the previously unwound material strip 4 are connected to each other, preferably spliced ​​together. For this purpose, a connecting device 13 is provided, which is preferably a splicing device. This includes a preparation station and a splicing station, wherein the end of the new material strip 4 to be wound is positioned at the preparation station, and the end of the already wound material strip 4 is positioned at the splicing station. By moving the splicing station, the two ends can be spliced ​​together.

[0057] As described above, the position detection device 10 includes a sensing device 11 for collecting sensor information describing the position of the material strip to be unwound or its end. Based on this sensor information, the control device can determine the positions of the two longitudinal edges of the new material strip 4, and, if necessary, the position of the center of the new material strip 4. Based on this, it controls the actuators, through their respective receivers, to move the new material strip 4. During the movement of the respective receivers, and thus during the movement of the new material strip 4 from the non-working position to the working position, and with the determination of the position data, sensor information is collected, and based on this, the actuator drive of the receivers is controlled by controlling the parameters, so that the new material strip is precisely aligned with the end of the unwound material strip 4 after entering the working position, without the need for further correction.

[0058] Such position detection and longitudinal edge determination may be necessary because, as Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the individual rolls do not need to be wound in exactly the same way. Figure 2 The first volume 3 is shown, which includes a linear axis 14 on which a strip of material 4 is eccentrically wound. However, as... Figure 4 As shown, the two material strips 4, namely the new unwound material strip 4 and the unwound material strip 4 in progress, must be precisely aligned relative to each other, or relative to their respective longitudinal edges, or relative to their respective centers. The material strips to be unwound are... Figure 4 The material strip to be unwound is labeled 4a, and the unwound material strip is labeled 4b. The material strip 4a to be unwound has two longitudinal edges 15a and 16a and a center 17a, while the unwound material strip 4b has two longitudinal edges 15b and 16b and a center 17b. In the example shown, material strips 4a and 4b have equal widths and are ideally aligned with the longitudinal edges 15a and 15b, and 16a and 16b, and the two centers 17a and 17b. In the example, material strip 4a is centrally wound on a spindle 14a, which corresponds to... Figure 2 Volume 3 is shown in the image. However, if you use the format specified in the image... Figure 3 With the receiver and thus the roll 3 in the same position, the longitudinal edge 15a will be laterally offset on the axis 14, and therefore, the receiver and roll 3 will be positioned in the working position, which will be laterally offset relative to the longitudinal edge 15b in the transport direction T. The same applies to the longitudinal edges 16a, 16b, and the centers 17a, 17b. This lateral offset must be based on the position of the receiver during its immediate movement from the non-working position to the working position, compensating for the position detection used by the material strip 4a and its longitudinal edges 15a, 16a, so that it is precisely aligned with the unwound material strip 4b.

[0059] Figure 5A schematic diagram of the device according to the present invention is shown to explain the roll changes. A first receiver 18 is shown, on which a first roll 3a and a material strip 4a are wound. The first receiver 18 is shown in two positions: a non-working position, shown as a dashed line, and a working position, shown as a solid line, where it is located near the tail end 19 of the material strip 4b, as shown. Figure 4 As shown. The double arrow P1 indicates reversible linear movement. A second receiver 20 is also shown, which holds another roll 3c having a material strip 4c. This second receiver 20 is in a non-working position, which may also be referred to as a ready position, in which roll 3c, ready to be moved into the working position at a later time, is received and pre-positioned such that its free end is in a defined position, i.e., as described above, at the ready station of receiver 20, where at this free end it is spliced ​​to the end 19 of material strip 4b by connecting device 13.

[0060] Two receivers 18 and 20 are mounted on a common support frame 21, shown only as dashed lines here, and are driven by corresponding actuators 22, such as a spindle controlled by a servo motor, to move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction T on a suitable linear guide. Actuation of the actuators 22 is controlled by a control device 12, which is part of a position detection device 10 and also includes the two sensors 23 and 24 shown here.

[0061] Two sensors 23 and 24 are located adjacent to the transport device 5, with the material strip 4 resting against it. Their respective detection areas 25 and 26, as indicated by arrows, are pointed towards receivers 18 and 20. This arrangement allows a roll, or each strip of material, to move from a non-working position to the working area via the detection areas 25 and 26 of the respective sensors 23 and 24, enabling sensor 23 to detect it. Figure 5 The example shows the two longitudinal edges 25, 26 of roll 3a, and the two longitudinal edges 15c, 16c of another roll 3c in the second receiver 20 as sensor 24 moves into the working position. The positioning of sensors 23, 24 allows sensor information to be collected during the movement of their respective receivers and thus their respective rolls 3a, 3c, and this is completed before reaching the working position. The sensor information is evaluated by control device 12, and the corresponding positions of the longitudinal edges and the center position are determined. Based on this, corresponding control parameters for actuator 22 are determined, which are then controlled to manage the continuous movement of the respective receivers 18, 20, so as to accurately reach the determined working position, where the first segment 27 of the new unwound material strip 4a is aligned with the fixed tail end 19 of the unwound material strip 4b. The respective receivers 18, 20 thus only stop when they are in the precisely determined, aligned working position, and no further position correction is required because the material strip alignment is already very accurate.

[0062] Figure 5 A further alternative is shown, in which a third sensor 28 is aligned with the transport device 5, detecting the longitudinal edges 15a, 15b of the material strip 4b, and thus the precise position of the end 19 of the material strip 4b. The sensor information is then provided to the control device 12, which determines the corresponding positional information of the longitudinal edges 15b, 16b, or center 17b, i.e., the actual position of the end 19, relative to which the end 27 of the material strip 4a or 4c should be aligned. This actual position of the end 19 thus represents the target position relative to which the movement of the respective receivers 18, 20 and thus the respective rolls 3a, 3c are aligned.

[0063] Similarly, the measurement of roll 3c is performed when it is placed in the working position, which occurs after the material strip 4a has been completed winding. In this case, the transport frame 21 moves in the opposite direction, the receiving element 18 moves from the working position to the non-working position, and the receiving element 20 moves from the non-working position to the working position. The two longitudinal edges 15c, 16c pass through the detection area 26 of the sensor 24, thus capturing the corresponding edge-related sensor information. This information is used by the control device 12 to determine the position information for the longitudinal edges 15c, 16c or the center 17c, and to calculate the corresponding control parameters for the actuator 22, which ensures that roll 3c is accurately moved into the aligned working position. Subsequently, the respective ends can be connected by the connecting device 13 shown.

[0064] Figure 5 The device 1 and the processing on material strips 4a and 4c are shown, each material strip 4a and 4c being centrally wound on a spool. Figure 6 In another aspect, the device 1 of the present invention is shown, wherein a material strip 4a is eccentrically wound on a thread axis 14, and similarly arranged for material strip 4c. Assume that the first receiving element 18, along with the roll 3a and the material strip 4a, moves from a non-working position, where the movement from the non-working position is shown as a resting position, to a working position, where the working position is shown as a stretched state, as indicated by arrow P1. When the material strip passes through the detection area 25 of the sensor 23, two longitudinal edges 15a, 16a are detected. The control device 12 then determines the corresponding position information, and, for example, the position information can also be determined simultaneously based on sensor information from the third sensor 28. To align the longitudinal edges 15a, 16a with the longitudinal edges 15b, 16b of the material strip 4b, and the centers 17a, 17b, the receiving element 18 must be positioned in accordance with... Figure 5 The starting examples are in different positions. Due to the eccentric winding, and thus the lateral offset of 30 relative to the center of the winding, and thus the lateral offset of 29, as... Figure 6As shown, it must be compensated. That is to say, compared to Figure 5 In the example shown, receiving element 18 must start from a slightly different position as the working position. Based on this... Figure 6 The working positions are shifted so that the longitudinal edges 15a and 16a are aligned with the longitudinal edges 15b and 16b, and the centers 17a and 17b, because the two material strips 4a and 4b are of equal width.

[0065] Similarly, when the second receiving element 20 is ready to enter the working position, the process continues, wherein its material strip 4c is also eccentrically wound, which requires compared to Figure 5 A slightly different work location.

[0066] Figure 7 An embodiment of the device 1 according to the present invention is shown, the structure of which is identical to that of the device 1 previously described. Figure 5 Compared to the illustrated embodiment, the two material strips 4a, 4c are significantly narrower than the unwound material strip 4b. In the illustrated example, instead of center alignment, a longitudinal edge alignment is performed, specifically the alignment of longitudinal edges 16a and 16b. The first receiving element 18, along with the first roll 3a and material strip 4a, again moves from the resting position, which is shown as the non-working position, as indicated by arrow P1. Material strip 4a passes through the detection area 25 of sensor 23, and the sensor detects the two longitudinal edges 15a, 16a. Similarly, an optional third sensor 28 detects the longitudinal edges 15b, 16b. Control device 12 then determines the positional information of the longitudinal edges 15a, 16a, 15b, 16b, and control parameters are used to induce actuator 22 to move transport frame 21 such that the two longitudinal edges 16a, 16b are aligned with each other.

[0067] like Figure 7 Further, it is shown that the two material strips 4a and 4c are also eccentrically wound on the axis 14, as indicated by the lateral offset 30. This lateral offset 30 is compensated so that the resulting lateral offset 29 is determined and adjusted by corresponding control parameters, which ensures that despite the narrow material strip 4a and the eccentric winding, the working position is reached where the two longitudinal edges 16a and 16b are aligned.

[0068] Figure 8An embodiment of device 1 is shown, in which two receiving elements 18, 20, not shown in detail, are arranged on a rotating frame and rotate about a rotation axis 31. The two receiving elements 18, 20 are shown, each holding a roll, and respective material strips 4a and 4c. Receiving element 18 is in the working position, meaning that its end 27 is ready to be joined with the end 19 of the unwound material strip 4b, or has already been joined. Receiving element 20 and material strip 4c, on the other hand, are in the non-working or ready position. To exchange the two receiving elements 18, 20, i.e., to move the first receiving element 18 from the working position to the non-working position to obtain a new roll, and simultaneously move the second receiving element 20 and the material strip to the working position, the entire unwinding device 2 rotates about the rotation axis 31, as indicated by double arrow P2. Therefore, the receiving elements 18, 20, and thus the material strips 4a, 4c, move along a circular path 32.

[0069] As shown in the figure, two sensors 23 and 24, and their respective detection areas 25 and 26, are positioned near the circular path 32 such that longitudinal edges 15a and 16a pass through the detection area 25 of the first sensor 23, while longitudinal edges 15c and 16c pass through the detection area 26 of the second sensor 24. The corresponding sensor information describing the captured edge positions is processed by the control device 12, which then calculates control information for the actuator 33 to rotate the rotating frame (not shown). The actuator 33, for example, is a servo motor that drives a gear that meshes with a gear ring or gear segment that carries the frame. The rotation of the rotating frame is an alternating 180° movement, such that each receiving element 18 and 20 moves through its corresponding sensor 23 and 24.

[0070] A corresponding transport device 5, unwound material 4, and an optional third sensor 28 are also provided, which rest on the transport device 5. A connecting device 13 is also shown, which is used to splice the respective ends 27 of material strip 4a and the respective ends 19 of material strip 4b.

[0071] Figures 9 to 14 An exemplary volume change process is shown. Figure 9 The diagram shows a scenario where the roll within the first receiving element 18 has been completely unwound, and the end 19 of the material strip 4b is freely suspended. The second receiving element 20 holds a new roll 3c and the material strip 4c, with the end 27 of the material strip secured to the preparation spool 34. The shown rotating frame 35 can be rotated about the vertical axis 31 by an actuator 33, and can be moved linearly and laterally in the lateral direction T by an actuator 39, for example, a spindle-driven actuator with a frictional servo motor.

[0072] If material strip 4c is to be supplied, the rotating frame 35 rotates, causing carriers 18 and 20 to move along a circular path 32 about the rotation axis 31. During this process, material strip 4c passes through the detection area of ​​sensor 24, which in turn captures sensor information. Based on this, control unit 12 determines the precise working position where the second carrier 20 will be brought in and controls the movement of the rotating frame accordingly. This working position is as follows: Figure 10 As shown, the second carrier 20 and therefore the material strip 4c are in the working position. Clearly, end 27 is located near end 19, allowing the connecting device 13 to splice the two ends together. A movable splicing strip 36 is shown, which moves toward the fixed preparation strip 34, as... Figure 11 As indicated by the middle arrow P3, the two material strips 4c and 4b are now securely connected together, so that when the connecting device 13 is opened, the splice plate 36 retracts (see...). Figure 12 (P4) After the material strip 4c is released, the web material 4c is unwound during the continuous transport operation through the transport equipment 5 and its winding rollers.

[0073] Figure 10-12 Further evidence shows that the first carrier 18 is in a non-working position, and the new roll has not yet been loaded. For example... Figure 13 As shown, the roll is provided in the form of roll 3a with material strip 4a and is loaded into the second carrier 18. Upon receiving roll 3a, the preparation strip 34 arranged on the rotating support 37 swings as indicated by arrow P5 and is placed... Figure 14 The position shown is where it is assigned to the first carrier 18. This position allows the free head of the new material strip 4a to be secured to the preparation strip 34, thus completing the preparation. Once the material strip 4c is finally unwound, a new cycle begins, and the rotating frame 35 rotates again until the first carrier 18 returns to its working position, naturally engaging with the corresponding position detection and control of the actuator 39 of the rotating frame for any immediate offset compensation.

[0074] Figure 15-22 The roll-changing process is shown. Assuming in... Figure 15 In the process, a second carrier 20, having roll 3c and material strip 4c, moves from a non-working position to a working position. For clarity, the first carrier is not shown. As shown, the material strip 4c is eccentrically wound on the spindle 14, meaning there is a lateral offset 30. With continued movement in the direction of arrow P6, a longitudinal edge 15bc at the end of the web located at preparation strip 34 (not shown) enters the detection area 26 of sensor 24, thus providing a first measurement point. The detection of the longitudinal edge 15c, i.e., the first measurement point, occurs at a specific rotational position of the rotating frame 35, which can be detected by an actuator 33 (e.g., a servo motor), so that the detection of the longitudinal edge 15c can be associated with a specific frame position along the rotation path.

[0075] As the movement continues, the second longitudinal edge 16c, fixed to the end of the preparation strip 34, enters the detection area 26 of the sensor 24, providing a second measurement point, which is also associated with a corresponding angular position of the rotating frame 35. Thus, the corresponding measurement points are associated with each corresponding rotating frame position, and these measurement points reflect a specific given lateral offset 30 because they are detected slightly earlier than the centrally arranged material strip 4b, i.e., at a slightly different angular position of the rotating frame. Conversely, this would occur if the lateral offset 30 points in the opposite direction. Based on the detected rotating frame position, the control unit 12 can precisely determine when to stop the rotation, which occurs when the two longitudinal edges or longitudinal centers to be aligned are running parallel to each other. Lateral offset compensation is achieved by laterally moving the rotating frame 35 during the following corrective movements described below.

[0076] In any case, once sensor information from both longitudinal edges is available, control unit 12 now determines the corresponding lateral offset 30. (As...) Figure 17 As shown, the entire rotating frame 35 with carriers 18 and 20 undergoes linear displacement as indicated by arrow P7, initiating a corrective motion. This corrective motion is based on the centerline 38 parallel to the transmission direction T passing through the rotation axis 31 and the center 17b of the unwound material strip 4b. At the start of the corrective motion, as... Figure 17 As shown, centerline 38 remains below the line of center 17b. With the increase of linear motion of the rotating frame 35 and the carrier 20, centerline 38... Figure 18 Move as shown until reached. Figure 19 The working position shown is where the determined lateral offset 30 is precisely compensated, and the longitudinal edges 15c and 16c are aligned with the longitudinal edges 15b and 16b. Of course, the position of the longitudinal edges 15b and 16b can also be detected using a third sensor 28 during the correction motion.

[0077] If as Figure 20 As shown in the example, the material strip 4c is unwound, and the additionally shown first carrier 18 is moved to the working position, where a new material strip 4a has been loaded, and its end 27 has been secured to the preparation strip 34 (not shown). Figure 21 and 22 The corresponding motion is shown. As indicated by arrow P8, rotational motion occurs, but in the opposite direction to arrow P6. At a certain point in time, the longitudinal edge 15a enters the detection area 25 of the first sensor 23, at which point the corresponding specific position of the rotating frame is assigned. It is clear that the material strip 4a is centrally wound, and therefore... Figure 15The detection time of the longitudinal edge 15a is slightly later than that of the eccentrically wound longitudinal edge 15c of the material strip 4c, and it is located further forward in the rotating frame 35. As the movement continues, the second longitudinal edge 16a also enters the detection area 25 of the sensor 23, and the corresponding rotating frame position is assigned to this detection point. The control unit is now able to accurately determine the final rotating frame position, where the longitudinal edges or centerlines of the material strips 4a and 4b are parallel to each other. It is also able to determine any offsets that cause the entire rotating frame 35 and the two carriers 18 and 20 to move for lateral offset compensation, such as Figure 22 As indicated by arrow P9 in the diagram. The control unit 12 determines the corresponding control parameters and controls the drive unit 33 and the actuator 39. The drive unit 33 causes the rotating frame 35 to rotate accordingly, and the actuator 39 causes the rotating frame 35 to move laterally to correct the lateral offset.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a material strip, comprising: - An unwinding device (2) for unwinding a material strip (4,4a,4b) wound in the form of a roll (3,3a,3c), comprising a first receiver (18) and a separate second receiver (20) for receiving a roll (3,3a,3c) of material strip (4,4a,4b), wherein the first receiver (18) and the second receiver (20) are each reversibly movable between a non-operating position and an operating position, wherein a roll (3,3a,3c) is loaded or prepared in the non-operating position and the roll (3,3a,3c) is unwound in the operating position; - A transport device (5), downstream of the unwinding device (2), is used to receive the unwound material strips (4, 4a, 4b, 4c). - A device (13) for connecting the tail end (19) of the unwound material strip (4b) located on the transport device (5) to the head end (27) of the material strip (4a, 4c) to be unwound; - A position detection device (10) includes a sensing device (11) for detecting sensor information describing the position of the material strip (4,4a,4c) to be unwound in a first receiver (18) and a second receiver (20), and a control device (12) for determining position information based on the sensor information, wherein the position of the material strip (4,4a,4c) to be unwound can be aligned relative to the unwound material strip (4b) according to the position information; The sensing device (11) is configured to detect sensor information during the movement of the first receiver (18) and the second receiver (20) from the non-operational position to the operational position, and the control device (12) is configured to determine the position information and control the actuators (22, 39) to move the first receiver (18) and the second receiver (20) laterally to the transport direction (T) of the transport device (5) based on the position information, such that, at the end of the movement to the operational position, the first receiver (18) and the second receiver (20) are positioned such that the beginning (27) of the material strip (4, 4a, 4c) to be unwound is aligned with the end (19) of the unwound material strip (4b).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The sensing device (11) includes at least one first sensor (23) and a second sensor (24), wherein the first sensor (23) is arranged along the movement path of the first receiver (18) and the second sensor (24) is arranged along the movement path of the second receiver (20).

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The detection device (10) includes at least one third sensor (28) associated with the transport device (5) and detects sensor information describing the position of the tail end (19) of the unwound material strip (4b) within or on the transport device (5). The control device (12) is configured to determine additional position information based on the sensor information and control the actuators (22, 39) of the first receiver (18) and the second receiver (20) according to the additional position information.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The third sensor (28) is a sensor that detects the entire width of the unwound material strip (4b).

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The control device (12) is configured to determine the position of one or two longitudinal edges (15a, 16a, 15c, 16c) of the material strip (4a, 4c) to be unwound as position information, and / or determine the position of one or two longitudinal edges (15b, 16b) of the unwound material strip (4b) as additional position information, and the actuator (22, 39) is controlled based on the position information and the additional position information.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The control device (12) is configured to determine the center position of the material strip (4a, 4c) to be unwound as position information based on the position of the longitudinal edges (15a, 16a, 15c, 16c) of the material strip (4a, 4c), and / or determine the center position of the unwound material strip (4b) as additional position information based on the position of the longitudinal edges (15b, 16b) of the unwound material strip (4b), and control the actuators (22, 39) such that the center of the material strip (4a, 4c) to be unwound is aligned with the center of the unwound material strip (4b).

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, During the movement, the first end (27) of the material strip (4a, 4c) to be unwound is set on the preparation spool (34) of the first receiver (18) or the second receiver (20), wherein the first sensor (23) and the second sensor (24) are positioned below the plane through which the preparation spool (34) passes.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, Two receivers (18, 20) are mounted on a common transport frame (21) or separate transport frames, which can be moved on a straight guide in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (T) by an actuator (22), wherein the first sensor (23) and the second sensor (24) are offset on both sides of the transport device (5).

9. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The receivers (18, 20) are mounted on a common rotating frame (35) which can be rotated about a rotating axis (31) by a drive element (33) and can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (T) of the transport device (5) by an actuator (39), wherein the first sensor (23) and the second sensor (24) move along a circular path about the rotating axis (31).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The two receivers (18, 20) are set to be offset from each other by 180° on the rotating frame (35).

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein, The first sensor (23) and the second sensor (24) are set at a position 90° between the non-working position and the working position, offset from each other by 180°.

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