Device and method for material transport

Abstract

Device (100) for conveying material, comprising: a conveyor device (110) having a support surface (115) which is suitable for transporting material on the support surface (115) from an input region (112) of the conveyor device (110) to an output region (114) of the conveyor device (110); a detection device (120) which is suitable for detecting a position of the material transversely to the transport direction when it is applied to the support surface (115) in the input area (112) and / or when it is output from the support surface (115) in the output area (114); a movement device (130) which is suitable for moving the support surface (115) in the input area (112) and / or in the output area (114) transversely to the transport direction of the material; and a control device (140) which is suitable for receiving the detected position of the material from the detection device (120) and for controlling the movement device (130) based on the detected position such that the material leaves the support surface (115) in the exit area (114) at a predetermined position transverse to the transport direction; characterized in that the support surface (115) is designed such that a positioning of the material on the support surface (115) transversely to the transport direction in the input area (112) determines the position of the material transversely to the transport direction in the output area (114); and an outer contour of the support surface (115) is deformed by the movement by the movement device (130).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for conveying materials.

[0002] In modern production, it is almost essential to automatically transport manufactured products or intermediate products between different processing stations. Various types of conveyor belts exist for this purpose. However, precise positioning transverse to the transport direction across the entire conveyor line cannot always be guaranteed. For example, in the extrusion of semi-finished rubber products, the problem arises that the typical total length of conveyor lines between the extruder and other processing stations, such as measuring stations, product treatment devices, or coil winders, can be several hundred meters.

[0003] It's not uncommon for initial, precise positioning across the transport direction to be lost. However, precise positioning can be crucial for further processing. For example, compact winding of semi-finished products on spools may require that the semi-finished product strand(s) to be wound can be picked up by the winder at a precisely defined position.

[0004] Currently, systems are used to solve this problem in which entire conveyor lines can be pivoted to change the output point of the transported material. However, with such systems, the achievable lateral offset is small, as pivoting is only possible over a specific, limited angular range. Precise positioning is then only possible if the transported material is already fed into the system within a specific "pick-up window" that lies perpendicular to the transport direction. If the accumulated deviation during passage through the conveyor line is such that this condition cannot be met, precise positioning at the outlet is also no longer possible.

[0005] It is therefore necessary to provide additional systems in addition to the actual system for final positioning, which perform "pre-positioning" to bring the transported material onto the positioner in the correct lateral area. This often requires manual adjustment of the pre-positioning, which complicates fully automated operation. In any case, it is necessary to coordinate the transition from pre-positioning to the actual positioner, which creates additional effort. Furthermore, the need to maintain two systems for positioning in some cases increases the overall space requirements and the costs for commissioning and maintenance.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and method for conveying materials that can solve the above-mentioned problems. In particular, the positioning of transported material transverse to the transport direction should be enabled in a simple, reliable, and fully automated manner.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0008] In particular, a device for conveying material comprises a conveying device with a support surface which is suitable for transporting material on the support surface from an input region of the conveying device to an output region of the conveying device.The device further comprises a detection device suitable for detecting a position of the material transversely to the transport direction when it is applied to the support surface in the input area and / or when it is discharged from the support surface in the output area, a movement device suitable for moving the support surface in the input area and / or in the output area transversely to the transport direction of the material, and a control device suitable for receiving the detected position of the material from the detection device and for controlling the movement device based on the detected position such that the material leaves the support surface in the output area at a predetermined position transversely to the transport direction.The support surface is designed in such a way that the positioning of the material on the support surface transverse to the transport direction in the input area determines the position of the material transverse to the transport direction in the output area. Furthermore, an outer contour of the support surface is deformed by the movement of the movement device.

[0009] A conveyor device is therefore provided with a support surface which can be moved in its entry and / or end area transversely, i.e. perpendicularly or diagonally, to the direction of transport. The movement is preferably horizontal. The support surface is designed in such a way that material which is placed on the support surface at a certain lateral position is released again at a clearly defined lateral position. In particular, the support point of the material on the support surface can remain the same. This ensures that if the support point moves laterally, the material resting on it is also moved laterally. The support surface can also be viewed as a family of non-intersecting flow or movement lines, each of which defines a clear path from the entry area of the conveyor device to the exit area of the conveyor device.

[0010] If the movement device moves the support surface in the input and / or output area, the support surface deforms as its entirety. In particular, the outer contour of the support surface deforms. This deformation also changes the flow or movement lines defined by the support surface, which indicate the transport paths for the conveyed material. In particular, the curvatures of these transport paths change. In addition, the position of the support surface in the input and / or output area relative to a fixed feeder or collector of the conveyed material changes. By moving the support surface transversely to the transport direction, fed-in or removed material lands on or off the support surface at a different point. Since every point on the support surface can be clearly assigned to a transport path, it is in principle possible to precisely set the lateral position at which the material leaves the support surface.

[0011] To utilize this capability, the detection device detects the lateral position of the material during its feed and / or removal. This position is transmitted to the control device, such as a computer, processor, software or hardware component, or the like, which uses this information to determine the expected lateral position at the end of the conveyor and compares it with a predetermined position. The control device then controls the movement device such that the expected position approximates the predetermined position, e.g., by adjusting the actual position to the target position while constantly referring to the position determined by the detection device.

[0012] In this way, it is possible to specify the lateral end position after leaving the material conveying device in a simple, reliable and fully automatic manner.

[0013] The support surface can be a curved belt, preferably a chain-link belt. The movement of the curved belt through the movement device then changes at least one path, preferably a radius of curvature of the curved belt. Curved belts are known to those skilled in the art and are used in conveyor lines to convey material around curves. Typically, these are endless tracks with one outer side shorter than the other, so that a curve is created when the endless track is tensioned flat.

[0014] These endless tracks can be made of various plastics or rubbers, for example. Another variant of curved belts are chain link belts. Here, the endless belt is formed by a large number of chain links that can move relative to one another. If, for example, elastic plastics or chain links are used that can change their distance from one another, it is possible to change the radii of curvature in the curved belt. For example, chain links can be moved laterally relative to one another and can rotate relative to one another to a limited extent. This allows sections of the chain link belt that are spaced apart from one another in the transport direction to be moved laterally relative to one another. As a result, the support surface of the conveyor device described above can be easily realized using curved belts and, in particular, chain link belts. The support surface should therefore not be limited to curved belts. For example,It is also possible to create a support surface as described above using movable and rotating rollers or similar. However, this is technically more complex than using curved belts.

[0015] The conveying device can have a bearing for the support surface and the movement device can have linear guides with which the bearing can be moved in the input area and / or output area transversely to the transport direction. The bearing is designed in a conventional manner, e.g. in the form of rollers on which the support surface runs and a frame that holds the support surface laterally. Moving the bearing leads to a displacement of the support surface. This can be carried out in a particularly simple manner by means of a linear guide in which a motor controllable by the control device drives a shaft that moves the bearing or the frame of the support surface transversely to the transport direction.

[0016] The device for conveying material can have a plurality of conveying devices arranged one behind the other and / or next to one another, as described above. In this case, the conveying device described above can be referred to as the first conveying device. A second conveying device can be constructed like the first conveying device and be suitable for transporting material parallel to the first conveying device. The detection device is then suitable for detecting a position of the material transversely to the transport direction when it is applied to the support surface in the input area and / or when it is discharged from the support surface in the output area of the second conveying device. The movement device is suitable for moving the support surface of the second conveying device in the input area and / or in the output area transversely to the transport direction of the material.The control device is suitable for receiving the position of the material detected for the second conveying device from the detection device and for controlling the movement device based on the detected position such that the material leaves the support surface of the second conveying device in the exit area at a predetermined position transverse to the transport direction.

[0017] The detection of material, the displacement of the support surface and the control of these processes occur in the same way for the second conveyor device as for the first conveyor device. Since the first and second conveyor devices transport material parallel to one another, the distance between the material being transported by the first conveyor device and the material being transported by the second conveyor device can be easily adjusted by appropriately positioning the material on one or both support surfaces. It is therefore not only possible, for example, to correctly position a strand of material, such as an endless rubber semi-finished product, but also to bring two such strands of material relative to one another to the distance required for further processing.

[0018] The movement device can be suitable for moving the support surfaces of the first and second conveyor devices independently of one another in a first operating mode and suitable for moving the support surfaces of the first and second conveyor devices synchronously with one another in a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the distance between material on the conveyor devices can then be changed. The second operating mode, on the other hand, can be used, for example, to carry out repositioning at the same distance. In addition, it is possible to arrange the conveyor devices in such a way that, in synchronous operation, the distance between the two support surfaces is negligible compared to the support surface of the conveyed material. In this case, in the second operating mode, the two support surfaces can be regarded as combined, enlarged support surfaces.In this way, the material handling device can be used flexibly for different production sites or production cycles.

[0019] The detection device can have one or more cameras or edge detection systems or similar, which are suitable for taking images of the position of the material in the input area and / or in the output area. The detection device and / or the control device can be suitable for determining the position of the material based on the images. Such a camera system represents a simple option for position determination. The camera system can operate in any frequency range, e.g. in the visible spectrum, the IR spectrum or even the UV spectrum. To support position determination, the material in the recorded area can be irradiated with light in order to be able to deduce the position of the material, for example based on the spatial distribution of the reflected light. For example, a thin line can be projected onto the material or the conveying surface.The location of the deviation of the reflection from the line shape then indicates the position of the material. It goes without saying that other methods of position determination can also be used alternatively or in addition. For example, the position of the material can also be determined using pressure or touch sensors in the conveying surfaces.

[0020] The detection device can be designed to detect the position of the material transversely to the transport direction before the material reaches the support surface in the entry area. This allows the support surface to be positioned in the entry area before the material (or the detected portion of the material) reaches the support surface. This allows for easy repositioning. However, detection is also possible after the material has reached the support surface.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the detection device can be adapted to detect the position of the material transverse to the transport direction before the material is released from the support surface in the exit area. This allows the support surface to be positioned in the exit area before the material (or the detected portion of the material) is released from the support surface. Repositioning can also be easily achieved in this way. However, detection is also possible after the material has been released from the support surface.

[0022] The conveyor device can be suitable, for example, for transporting semi-finished rubber products. This means, in particular, that the support surface is designed such that the semi-finished rubber product, such as a semi-finished product for tire production, does not slip on the support surface. In particular, the support surface can also be made of a rubber that has a sufficiently high coefficient of friction compared to the rubber from which the semi-finished product is made to reliably prevent the semi-finished product from slipping. However, the support surface can also be made of a different material, as long as slipping is reliably prevented.

[0023] A method for conveying material using a device as described above comprises: transporting material on the support surface from the input region of the conveying device to the output region of the conveying device; detecting a position of the material transversely to the transport direction when it is applied to the support surface in the input region and / or when it is discharged from the support surface in the output region; moving the support surface in the input region and / or in the output region transversely to the transport direction of the material; controlling the movement of the support surface based on the detected position such that the material leaves the support surface in the output region at a predetermined position transversely to the transport direction.

[0024] This method allows the lateral end position of material to be specified in a simple, reliable and fully automatic manner after it leaves the material conveying device.

[0025] The present invention is further explained below with reference to the figures. This description is to be understood as merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the claimed subject matter. The invention is defined solely by the subject matter of the independent claims. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a device for conveying material; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a support surface of a device for conveying material; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a conveying device of a material conveying device; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of two conveying devices of a material conveying device in a first operating mode; Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of two conveying devices of a material conveying device in a second operating mode; Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B schematic representations of an input area and an output area of a conveyor device of a material conveying device; Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a device for conveying material; and Fig. 8 a flowchart of a material transport process.

[0026] The Fig. 1 schematically shows a device 100 for conveying material with a conveying device 110, a detection device 120, a movement device 130 and a control device 140.

[0027] The conveyor device 110 is actually responsible for conveying, i.e., transporting, the material. For this purpose, the conveyor device 110 has a support surface 115. The material is placed on the support surface 115 in an input area 112 of the conveyor device 110 and, by moving the support surface 115, is transported along a transport direction x to an output area 114 of the conveyor device 110. The support surface 115 is essentially two-dimensional. The support surface 115 can be formed, for example, by the surface of an (endless) conveyor belt.

[0028] However, the term "support surface" is also intended to include configurations in which the operation of the conveyor device merely defines a surface or thin layer over which the material is transported. For example, a number of consecutive rollers or cylinders rotating in the same direction also defines a surface along which the material resting on the rollers is transported. In such configurations, in which the structure of the conveyor device itself is not planar in the strict sense, this virtual surface constitutes the support surface 115.

[0029] The conveying device 110 or the support surface 115 is designed such that a positioning of the material on the support surface 115 transverse to the transport direction x in the input area 112 determines the position of the material transverse to the transport direction x in the output area 114. The transport of the material by the conveying device thus occurs on transport paths whose course is determined solely by the positioning of the material in the input area.

[0030] In particular, the situation does not arise where, upon repeated introduction of material at the same location on the conveyor device 110, the material is discharged at points that differ transversely to the transport direction x. The entry location on the support surface 115 thus uniquely determines the exit location.

[0031] In addition, the support surface 115 has an outer contour that can be changed. In particular, the lengths and curvatures of edge lines of the support surface 115 can be changed without impairing the function of the conveyor device 110. As explained further below, this can be achieved by a correspondingly elastic or deformable design of a conveyor belt constituting the support surface 115. However, the deformation of the support surface 115 can also occur purely virtually, e.g., by changing the rotational speeds or angular positions of drive rollers or the like. The decisive factor here is simply that even after a deformation of the support surface 115, the property that the input location of the material determines the output location of the material is retained.

[0032] This property of the support surface 115 is used in the material conveying device 100 to automatically control or regulate a position of the material transverse to the transport direction at the exit of the conveying device 110.

[0033] For this purpose, the detection device 120, the movement device 130 and the control device 140 are used in combination with the conveying device 110.

[0034] The detection device 120 is suitable for detecting a position of the material transverse to the transport direction when it is applied to the support surface 115 in the input area 112 and / or when it is discharged from the support surface 115 in the output area 114. The detection device 120 can be designed in any desired manner, as long as it detects the position transverse to the transport direction x (in the Fig. 1 denoted by y). For example, the detection device can be designed as a pressure or touch sensor that can detect a pressure or touch point of the material on the support surface before, after, or on the support surface.

[0035] The detection device 120 preferably has at least one camera suitable for taking images of the position of the material in the input area 112 and / or in the output area 114. The camera can be sensitive to any wavelength, in particular to visible light, IR light and / or UV light. The image can be taken using additional illumination, e.g., a specific light pattern, such as a stripe or grid pattern. However, it can also be taken based on the ambient brightness. From the image, the detection device 120 (and / or the control device 140) can determine the position of the material using conventional image processing algorithms. In particular, the position of the material can be inferred from the distortion of a projection pattern after reflection from the material.

[0036] The data from the detection device 120 or the position of the material determined therefrom are passed on to the control device 140, which, based thereon, controls the movement device or regulates its function.

[0037] The movement device 130 is suitable for moving the support surface 115 in the input area 112 and / or the output area 114 transversely to the transport direction of the material. A movement of the support surface 115 in the input area 112 occurs when, with a constant inflow, the point on the support surface 115 at which the material reaches the support surface 115 changes, which, due to the properties of the conveying device 110, leads to a change in the discharge point. Analogously, a movement in the output area 114 occurs when the discharge point shifts to a receiver. This movement can be a real movement of the support surface 115. However, it can also be a purely virtual movement of the support surface 115, which is achieved by changing the control parameters of the conveying device 110. In either case, the outer contour of the support surface 115 is deformed by the movement by the movement device 130.However, the entire funding system as a whole will not be shifted.

[0038] It goes without saying that the inlet and the outlet can also be moved transversely to the transport direction. This provides further flexibility in positioning. Furthermore, when conveying finite material portions, the movement device 130 can be fixed in place during a break between two material portions or even moved to a new position.

[0039] The conveying device 110 preferably has a bearing 116 for the support surface 115, which can be displaced transversely to the transport direction by a linear guide 135 of the movement device 130 in the input area 112 and / or in the output area 114. In this case, the movement of the bearing 116 leads to an expansion or compression of a belt or the like that defines the support surface 115. The linear guide 135 can be easily implemented by a motor that drives a shaft connected to the bearing 116. If the shaft rotates in one direction, a displacement transverse to the transport direction occurs. If the shaft rotates in the opposite direction, the displacement is also opposite.

[0040] This makes it easy to shift the pick-up or delivery point of material onto or from the support surface 115.

[0041] The control device 140 controls the movement device 130 based on the detected position of the material in the input or output areas 112, 114 such that the material leaves the support surface 115 in the output area 114 at a predetermined position transverse to the transport direction. The control device 140 can be implemented by a conventional computer or processor(s), by software components, by hardware, or a combination thereof. The control device 140 regulates the positioning of the support surface 115 using the data from the detection device such that the lateral position at the end of the conveyor device 110 approaches or assumes a target value. In this way, the position of the material upon discharge from the conveyor device can be adjusted fully automatically and easily.

[0042] This functionality is in the Fig. 1 is shown schematically. In the upper left section of the Fig. 1, material arrives approximately centrally on the support surface 115. This position in the y-direction is detected by the detection device 120 in the input area 112 and passed on to the control device 140. The material follows the transport path along the transport direction x until it leaves the conveyor device 110 in the output area 114.

[0043] The movement device 130 is controlled by the control device 140 depending on the desired output position. The top right shows the situation in which the movement device 130 has shifted the input area 112 of the support surface 115 upward. This causes the material to land on the support surface 115 at a different lateral position. The resulting transport path leads to an output further to the right.

[0044] The opposite case is in the Fig. 1 below. The movement device 130 moves the input area 112 downwards. This shifts the output position in the Fig. 1 to the left.

[0045] In the example of Fig. 1, control is achieved solely by shifting the input area 112 while simultaneously monitoring the input area 112 by means of the detection device 120. The control to a predetermined output position takes advantage of the fact that the output position clearly depends on the input position of the material. It goes without saying that the output area 114 can also be shifted, or that a shift of the input area 112 while observing the output area 114, and vice versa, is possible. The crucial factor is that the observation / detection data is sufficient to determine a unique path on the support surface 115, which can then be modified as desired by shifting / deforming the input area 112, the output area 114, or both areas (possibly independently of one another).

[0046] As in the Fig. As indicated in Figure 1, the support surface 115 has a variable radius of curvature. This can preferably be achieved by using a curved belt that is or defines the support surface 115. Curved belts with a fixed radius of curvature are known per se. If the curved belt is made of a sufficiently elastic and / or deformable material, e.g., rubber, a fabric, or the like, expansion and contraction of the material can be used to enable the change of the outer contour, including the change of the path of the curved belt and / or its radii of curvature.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, this can be done via a chain link belt. As shown schematically in the Fig. As shown in plan view in Figure 2, a chain link belt consists of a plurality of chain links 115a, which are movably connected to one another to a certain extent via connecting means 115b, such as connecting pins. The surface of the chain links 115a defines the support surface 115.

[0048] Due to the relative mobility of the chain links 115a, the outer contour of the support surface 115 can be achieved by a movement of the chain links 115a. This is shown in the Fig. 2 is shown schematically for the case of a linear displacement of chain links 115a.

[0049] The chain links 115a are held in the input area 112 and the output area 114 by a bearing 116, e.g., a frame. In the input area 112, a linear guide 135 (or another positioning system) of the movement device 130 engages the bearing 116 in order to move it transversely to the transport direction x. In the example of the Fig. 2, the bearing 116 is fixed in the output area 114. However, the bearing 116 can also be movable in both areas or only in the output area 114.

[0050] As in the transition from the upper to the lower part of the Fig. 2, when the bearing 116 is displaced in the input area 112, a row of chain links 115a in the central area of the support surface 115 is pulled along, as far as the connecting means 115b allow. As a result, the path covered by a certain part of a chain link 115a is continuously deformed, so that the Fig. 2. This essentially corresponds to the deformed outer contour of the support surface 115, the deformation of which propagates throughout the entire support surface. In this way, material that is in the upper and lower part of the Fig. 2 enters at the same place, output further to the left in the lower part.

[0051] With a chain link belt, the desired properties of the conveyor device 110 or the support surface 115 can therefore be achieved comparatively easily.

[0052] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a further example of a conveyor device 110 in which a deformation of the support surface 115, as described with reference to the Fig. 2 is carried out in two ways. Here, too, the use of a chain link belt is recommended.

[0053] In the Fig. 3, the input area 112 is perpendicular to the transport direction, i.e., movable in the y-direction. The output area is also movable in the y-direction. Optionally, a fixed, central section of the support surface 115 can be provided. The movements in the input area 112 and the output area 114 result in deformations in the intermediate sections of the support surface 115, which are carried either by chain links as described above or by another type of deformable or elastic curved belt. By connecting several movable zones or longer flexible areas in the support surface 115 in series, the maximum achievable lateral offset can be increased. This allows larger positioning errors to be compensated.

[0054] In addition to a serial arrangement of deformable support surfaces 115 or corresponding conveying devices 110, it is also possible to operate a plurality of conveying devices 110 in parallel in order to change relative distances between materials conveyed in parallel.

[0055] In particular, the device 100 for conveying material can comprise, in addition to the first conveying device 110, a second conveying device 150, as shown by way of example in the Fig. 4 shown.

[0056] The second conveyor device 150 is constructed in a manner similar to the first conveyor device 110. In particular, it has an input region 152, an output region 154, and a support surface 155, which correspond to those of the first conveyor device 110. In particular, the second support surface 155 is also configured such that positioning the material on the second support surface 155 transversely to the transport direction in the second input region 152 determines the position of the material transversely to the transport direction in the second output region 114, and an outer contour of the second support surface 155 can be deformed by movements.

[0057] Furthermore, the functionality of the second conveying device 150 is also configured correspondingly to the first conveying device 110. This means that the detection device 120 is suitable for detecting a position of the material transversely to the transport direction when it is applied to the second support surface 155 in the second input area 152 and / or when it is discharged from the second support surface 155 in the second output area 154 of the second conveying device 150. The movement device 130 is suitable for moving the second support surface 155 of the second conveying device 150 in the second input area 152 and / or in the second output area 154 transversely to the transport direction of the material.And the control device 140 is adapted to receive the position of the material detected for the second conveying device 150 from the detection device 120 and to control the movement device 130 based on the detected position such that the material leaves the second support surface 155 of the second conveying device 150 in the second exit region 154 at a predetermined position transverse to the transport direction.

[0058] A material conveying device designed in this way is capable of determining both the points at which the support surfaces 110, 150 receive material from feeders 160 and the points at which the support surfaces 110, 150 release the material to collectors 165.

[0059] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the movement device 130 can move the support surfaces 115, 155 of the first and second conveyor devices 110, 150 independently of one another in a first operating mode. In this way, distances between two material strands can be flexibly adjusted. If both the inlets and outlets of both conveyor devices 110, 150 are movable, larger positioning errors can be compensated for than if only the inlet area 112 or only the outlet area 114 can be moved.

[0060] As in the Fig. 5, the movement device 130 can also move the support surfaces 115, 155 of the first and second conveyor devices 110, 150 synchronously with each other in a second operating mode, ie the distance between the support surfaces 115, 155 and thus between materials resting on the support surfaces 115, 155 does not change.

[0061] Another interesting situation is where the distance between the support surfaces 115, 155 is reduced to a value that allows both support surfaces 115, 155 to be considered a single support surface for transporting the material. This allows the material transport device to also be used for repositioning wide materials. A device designed in this way is therefore flexible in its use.

[0062] The Fig. Figure 6A illustrates, by way of example, the detection of the lateral position of the material when it is introduced into the input area 112 by a feeder 160. The Fig. Figure 6B illustrates the detection in the output area 114.

[0063] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 6A, the detection device 120 is suitable for detecting the position of the material transversely to the transport direction before the material reaches the support surface 115 in the input area 112. Detection therefore takes place in the area of the feeder 160. This allows the input area 112 to be moved such that the detected material reaches the input area 112 at the desired position. However, detection is also possible after the material reaches the support surface 115 in the input area 112.

[0064] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 6B, the detection device 120 is alternatively or additionally suitable for detecting the position of the material transverse to the transport direction before the material is delivered from the support surface 115 to the pickup 165 in the output area 114. In the output area 114, the position determination therefore takes place on the support surface 115. This makes it possible to move the input area 114 such that the material is actually delivered at the set target position. However, detection is also possible after the material is delivered from the support surface 115 to the pickup 165 in the output area 114.

[0065] The Fig. 7 shows an exemplary detailed drawing of a material conveying device 100 with a first conveyor device 110 and a second conveyor device 150, in which the position determination by means of the detection device 120 and the movement of the support surfaces 115, 155 takes place in the output areas 114, 154, while in the input areas 112, 152 the support surfaces 115, 155 transition continuously, i.e., without a change of transport means, into the feeders 160. The feeders 160 and support surfaces 115, 155 can be designed, for example, as a rubberized endless chain link belt.

[0066] The movement device 130 engages the bearing 116 of the first and second conveyor devices 110, 150 to thereby achieve a displacement and deformation of the support surfaces 115, 155. In this way, the distance between material strands on the two conveyor devices 110, 150 can be adjusted to a desired value in a fully automatic manner before they are delivered to the receiver 165.

[0067] The device 100 described above can, in principle, be used to convey any material. Preferably, the device and the conveyor device 110 are suitable for transporting semi-finished rubber products, particularly for tire production. The support surface 115 is then preferably rubberized itself.

[0068] The Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for conveying material using a device 100 as described above.

[0069] At S110, material is transported on the support surface 115 from the input area 112 of the conveyor device 100 to the output area 114 of the conveyor device 110.

[0070] At S120, a position of the material transverse to the transport direction is detected when it is applied to the support surface 115 in the input area 112 and / or when it is output from the support surface 115 in the output area 114.

[0071] At S130, the support surface 115 in the input area 112 and / or in the output area 114 is moved transversely to the transport direction of the material.

[0072] At S140, the movement of the support surface 115 is controlled based on the detected position such that the material leaves the support surface 115 in the exit area 114 at a predetermined position transverse to the transport direction.

[0073] This allows the above-mentioned advantages to be achieved or the problems mentioned at the beginning to be solved List of reference symbols 100 Material handling device 110 Conveyor device 112 Entrance area of the conveyor device 114 Exit area of the conveyor device 115 contact surface 115a chain links 115b lanyards 116 Storage 120 detection device 130 Movement device 135 Linear guide 140 Control device 150 Second conveyor device 152 Entrance area of the second conveyor 154 Exit area of the second conveyor 155 Support surface of the second conveyor device 160 feeder roads 165 customers

Claims

[1] Device (100) for conveying material, comprising: a conveyor device (110) having a support surface (115) which is suitable for transporting material on the support surface (115) from an input region (112) of the conveyor device (110) to an output region (114) of the conveyor device (110); a detection device (120) which is suitable for detecting a position of the material transversely to the transport direction when it is applied to the support surface (115) in the input area (112) and / or when it is output from the support surface (115) in the output area (114); a movement device (130) which is suitable for moving the support surface (115) in the input area (112) and / or in the output area (114) transversely to the transport direction of the material; and a control device (140) which is suitable for receiving the detected position of the material from the detection device (120) and for controlling the movement device (130) based on the detected position such that the material leaves the support surface (115) in the exit area (114) at a predetermined position transverse to the transport direction; characterized by , that the support surface (115) is designed such that a positioning of the material on the support surface (115) transversely to the transport direction in the input area (112) determines the position of the material transversely to the transport direction in the output area (114); and an outer contour of the support surface (115) is deformed by the movement by the movement device (130). [2] Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the support surface (115) is a curved belt, preferably a chain link belt; and a path, in particular a radius of curvature, of the curved belt changes due to the movement of the curved belt by the movement device (130). [3] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (110) has a bearing (116) for the support surface (115); and the movement device (130) has at least one linear guide (135) with which the bearing (116) in the input area (112) and / or in the output area (114) can be displaced transversely to the transport direction. [4] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (110) is a first conveying device (110); the device (100) for conveying material further comprises a second conveying device (150) which is constructed like the first conveying device (110) and which is suitable for conveying material parallel to the first conveying device (110); the detection device (120) is suitable for detecting a position of the material transversely to the transport direction when it is applied to the support surface (155) in the input area (152) and / or when it is discharged from the support surface (155) in the output area (154) of the second conveying device (150); the movement device (130) is suitable for moving the support surface (155) of the second conveyor device (150) in the input area (152) and / or in the output area transversely (154) to the transport direction of the material; the control device (140) is suitable for receiving the position of the material detected for the second conveyor device (150) from the detection device (120) and for controlling the movement device (130) based on the detected position such that the material leaves the support surface (155) of the second conveyor device (150) in the exit area (154) at a predetermined position transverse to the transport direction. [5] Device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the movement device (130) is suitable for moving the support surfaces (115, 155) of the first and the second conveyor devices (110, 150) independently of one another in a first operating mode and is suitable for moving the support surfaces (115, 155) of the first and the second conveyor devices (110, 150) synchronously with one another in a second operating mode. [6] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection device (120) comprises a camera which is suitable for taking pictures of the position of the material in the input area (112) and / or in the output area (114); and the detection device (120) and / or the control device (140) are suitable for determining the position of the material based on the images. [7] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection device (120) is suitable for detecting the position of the material transversely to the transport direction before the material reaches the support surface (115) in the input area (112). [8] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection device (120) is suitable for detecting the position of the material transversely to the transport direction before the material is discharged from the support surface (115) in the output region (114). [9] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (110) is suitable for transporting semi-finished rubber products. [10] Method for conveying material with a device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Transporting material on the support surface (115) from the input area (112) of the conveyor device (110) to the output area (114) of the conveyor device (110); Detecting a position of the material transversely to the transport direction when it is applied to the support surface (115) in the input area (112) and / or when it is output from the support surface (115) in the output area (114); Moving the support surface (115) in the input area (112) and / or in the output area (114) transversely to the transport direction of the material; Controlling the movement of the support surface (115) based on the detected position such that the material leaves the support surface (115) in the exit area (114) at a predetermined position transverse to the transport direction.

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