Multi-Stage Metal Strip Meandering Detection With Fixed Distance Meters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for meandering control in metal strips within loopers are hindered by the inability to install devices like light projectors and receivers on traveling looper cars, require extensive equipment, and struggle to detect meandering in multiple staged metal strips, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A meandering amount detection method using multiple side-by-side distance meters to measure the distance from a mounting position and detect meandering stages, allowing for precise correction of metal strip alignment through tilting steering rolls, enabling detection and correction in a space-saving and cost-effective manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If light projectors and receivers are installed on looper cars to detect meandering, then meandering detection capability is improved, but installation feasibility deteriorates due to the traveling nature of looper cars

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeandering detection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses distance meters installed on fixed rolls as intermediary devices to indirectly measure the position of moving metal strips. Instead of installing detectors on the moving looper cars, the system measures the distance from fixed points to the metal strip, thereby detecting meandering without requiring installation on traveling structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If split rolls and support shafts are added to detect meandering, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeandering detection accuracyVSAvoidequipment quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection function from complex mechanical structures (split rolls, support shafts) and implements it using simple distance measurement devices. By removing the unnecessary mechanical complexity and keeping only the essential measurement capability, the system achieves meandering detection with fewer and simpler components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light projectors are used to detect meandering in loopers, then detection coverage is improved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidequipment quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the distance meters universal by installing them on fixed rolls that are common to multiple metal strips. A single distance meter can detect meandering for different stages and metal strips by measuring distances to various targets, thereby achieving wide detection coverage without requiring separate detectors for each position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If distance meters are installed on fixed rolls to detect meandering, then installation feasibility is improved, but the ability to detect meandering in traveling looper cars deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation feasibilityVSAvoiddetection capability for moving targets
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurement by installing distance meters on fixed rolls before the metal strip reaches the measurement point. The distance meters continuously measure the position of the metal strip as it travels through the looper, capturing meandering data at multiple points along the path, thereby enabling detection of moving targets using fixed measurement points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method effectively detects and corrects meandering in metal strips across multiple stages within loopers without the need for extensive equipment, ensuring efficient and cost-effective meandering control.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a distance from a mounting position of a distance meter in a direction intersecting a width direction of a metal strip, using a plurality of distance meters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4183496B1Metal strip meandering amount detection method and meandering control method
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP4183496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4183496B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4183496B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A meandering amount detection method for a metal strip according to the present invention is a meandering amount detection method for a metal strip that detects a meandering amount of a metal strip traveling in a state of being overlapped in a plurality of stages at intervals, the meandering amount detection method including a step of measuring a distance from a mounting position of a distance meter in a direction intersecting a width direction of a metal strip using a plurality of distance meters provided side by side in a width direction of the metal strip on at least one side in a width direction of the metal strips overlapped in a plurality of stages, and detecting a stage of a metal strip in which meandering occurs and a meandering amount using the mounting position of the distance meter and the measurement value.