Metal Strip Steering Roll Control for Conveyance-Delay Meandering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for suppressing metal strip meandering in annealing or working facilities fail to account for conveyance time between meandering detection units, leading to potential divergence and vibration, especially when the steering roll is not positioned near the control target and the distance is substantial, resulting in increased operations and risk of fracture.

Innovation Solution

A meandering correction apparatus and method that includes a first meandering amount detection unit, a steering roll with a tilting device, and a second meandering amount detection unit, utilizing feedback control to compensate for conveyance time and implement Smith compensation and sliding mode control to stabilize meandering correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a steering roll is not positioned near the control target and the distance is substantial, then the facility layout flexibility is improved, but the conveyance time increases leading to control divergence and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefacility layout flexibilityVSAvoidconveyance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary correction actions based on predicted meandering amounts. The prediction unit calculates future meandering positions considering the conveyance time delay, and the correction unit applies corrective steering roll positions in advance before the metal strip actually reaches the problematic meandering position, thereby preventing divergence and vibration despite the time delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback control mechanism where the meandering detection unit continuously monitors the metal strip position, the prediction unit processes this feedback to forecast future meandering, and the correction unit adjusts the steering roll accordingly. This feedback loop compensates for the conveyance time delay by using predictive algorithms that account for the time it takes for corrections to take effect at the distant control target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If conventional control methods are used without considering conveyance time, then the control system simplicity is maintained, but control accuracy deteriorates due to divergence and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidmeandering control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reacting to current meandering positions, the prediction unit calculates where the metal strip will meander in the future based on its current trajectory and the conveyance time to the control target. The correction unit then applies preliminary corrections at the steering roll position that will take effect exactly when needed, significantly improving control accuracy without requiring complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The prediction unit acts as an intermediary between the simple detection system and the correction mechanism. It processes the raw meandering detection data, incorporates conveyance time calculations, and generates optimized correction commands. This intermediary layer adds intelligence to the control system, enabling accurate predictive control while maintaining relative simplicity in the physical hardware architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If multiple operations are performed within the dead time, then the control responsiveness is improved, but unnecessary operations increase leading to vibration and fracture risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol responsivenessVSAvoidfracture risk
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The prediction unit calculates the optimal correction timing in advance, determining exactly when the steering roll intervention will be most effective. This allows the control system to perform operations at precisely the right moments rather than continuously, improving responsiveness while avoiding unnecessary operations that could cause vibration or metal strip fracture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts its operation frequency based on the calculated conveyance time and current meandering conditions. Rather than operating at a fixed high frequency, the system adapts its correction timing to match the physical dynamics of the metal strip conveyance, performing operations only when they will be effective, thus improving responsiveness while minimizing harmful vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4691950A1Meandering correction device and meandering correction method for metal strip
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP4691950A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4691950A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4691950A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a meandering correction apparatus and a meandering correction method that can control meandering of a metal strip with high responsiveness even when the distance between a steering roll and a control target position is substantial, resulting in prolonged transfer dead time. Specifically, the meandering correction apparatus for a metal strip includes a first meandering amount detection unit, a steering roll, a tilting device for the steering roll, a second meandering amount detection unit, a first control unit that corrects the shift amount at the meandering control target position based on the first meandering amount by taking into consideration the conveyance time taken from the position of the steering roll to the meandering control target position, and a second control unit that controls the position of the metal strip in the width direction with the steering roll based on the second meandering amount and the corrected shift amount.