Meandering Correction Sensor Head Positioning for Absorbent Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing meandering correction apparatuses for absorbent articles become complex and prone to interference with the continuous sheet when changing absorbent article sizes, due to the need for multiple position detecting switches and entangled signal cables, and the sensor head may interfere with the sheet or get deformed during size changes.
Innovation Solution
A meandering correction apparatus that uses a sensor with a detecting section to correct sheet meandering by moving the sensor head to predetermined stop positions based on drive current values, eliminating the need for position detecting switches and simplifying the configuration by locating the reference position outside the sheet or at the outermost stop position, allowing independent positioning of detecting sections on both sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple position detecting switches are provided for different sizes, then the sensor head can be positioned accurately for each size, but the equipment becomes complicated with entangled signal cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position detection function from multiple physical switches and relocates it to a single sensor head that moves with the web. The sensor head integrates the detection function across all sizes, eliminating the need for separate position detecting switches for each size category.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor head serves multiple functions by detecting edge positions for different absorbent article sizes (Small, Medium, Large) through a single integrated detection mechanism. The sensor head can be repositioned along the web to detect edges at different locations, making it universal for all size categories.
2Ease of operation
If the reference position is placed inside the continuous sheet, then the sensor head can reach the reference position, but the sensor head interferes with the continuous sheet causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the reference position detection from the width direction (inside the sheet) to the transport direction (along the web). The sensor head detects the reference position by measuring the time or distance to reach a predetermined location during web transport, rather than positioning itself physically within the sheet width.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor head is moved to the reference position when changing size, then the positioning can be reset, but the sensor head may interfere with the continuous sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the reference position detection and sensor head repositioning before the web is fed to the detection location. The controller advances the sensor head to the reference position and completes positioning reset in advance, so that when the web arrives at the detection location, the sensor head is already in the correct position without interfering with the web.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the apparatus configuration, avoids interference with the continuous sheet during size changes, and ensures accurate meandering correction by detecting edge positions without the need for additional position detecting switches, maintaining equipment integrity and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor head detects a change in the light shielding condition that changes along with the shifting of the edge position of the continuous sheet in the width direction which is detected based on the changes in the amount of received light by the detecting section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A meandering correction apparatus of a continuous sheet associated with an absorbent article, that is arranged in a manufacturing line of the absorbent article and corrects meandering of the continuous sheet being continuously transported in a transporting direction, in which a continuous sheet having one specification is selected, to be transported, from among a plurality of continuous sheets each having a specification with a dimension in a width direction different from each other, including: a sensor including a detecting section that detects a position of an edge of the continuous sheet in the width direction and detecting the position of the edge in a state in which the detecting section is stopped at a stop position set in the width direction for each of the specifications, a meandering correcting section that corrects meandering of the continuous sheet based on a detection signal of the position of the edge which is output from the sensor, and a moving mechanism moving the detecting section to the stop position, the moving mechanism including a motor that moves the detecting section in the width direction, a signal output section that outputs a signal in accordance with the movement of the detecting section in the width direction, and a controller that controls the motor based on the signal, the controller having a corresponding value that corresponds to a moving distance from a predetermined reference position to the stop position as a predetermined value for each stop position, the controller moving the detecting section to the stop position based on the corresponding value and the signal output from the signal output section, the reference position being a limit position for physical movement associated with the width direction of the detecting section, the controller detecting that the detecting section reaches the reference position based on a drive current value of the motor, and the reference position being located at a same position as a stop position located at an outermost position in the width direction among the stop positions, or being located outside of the outermost stop position.