CN116944361A

CN116944361A - Centering device for metal strip

Info

Publication number: CN116944361A
Application number: CN202310444049.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 池田和宣
Original assignee: Chugai Ro Co Ltd
Current assignee: Chugai Ro Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-26
Filing date: 2023-04-23
Publication date: 2023-10-27
Also published as: TW202342196A; KR20230151888A; JP7303348B1; JP2023161827A

Abstract

Provided is a metal strip centering device which prevents wrinkles from being generated on a metal strip. A centering device (1) for positioning a metal strip (S) having a first end (S11) and a second end (S12) in a metal strip width direction (W) symmetrically with respect to a center line (C) in the metal strip width direction (W), comprising: a first holding body (20, 50) holding the first end portion and a second holding body (30, 60) holding the second end portion; and a driving mechanism (9) for driving the first holding body and the second holding body, wherein the first holding body or the second holding body holds the first end or the second end positioned near the center line, and the driving mechanism moves the first holding body holding the first end or the second holding body holding the second end away from the center line, so as to center the metal strip.

Description

Centering device for metal strip

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a centring device for a metal strip (metal strap).

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a continuous processing apparatus that feeds a metal strip wound in a spiral shape and winds a processed metal strip in a spiral shape, wherein the conveyance of the metal strip is temporarily stopped at the time of coil replacement, and the rear end of the preceding metal strip and the front end of the following metal strip are welded.

For example, patent documents 2 to 4 disclose a technique for centering a metal strip in order to prevent a positional shift in the width direction from occurring between the rear end of a preceding metal strip and the front end of a subsequent metal strip, which are welding targets.

In patent document 2 and patent document 3, since the side ends of the metal strip in the width direction of the metal strip are pressed by a pressing member such as a flat plate or a roller, when the thickness of the metal strip is thin, there is a problem in that wrinkles are generated in the metal strip due to the pressing force. In patent document 4, the centering is performed by moving in the width direction of the metal strip in a state in which the center portion of the metal strip is clamped by a clamp, but since a pressing force in the width direction of the metal strip acts between the side ends of the side moving from the clamped center portion, there is a problem in that wrinkles are generated in the metal strip.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-161465

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2003-25015

Patent document 3: japanese patent laid-open No. 2021-65921

Patent document 4: japanese patent publication No. 48-27826

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a metal strip centering device capable of preventing wrinkles from being generated in a metal strip even when the metal strip is thin in wall thickness.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a metal strip centering device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a metal strip centering device for centering a metal strip having a first end and a second end in a metal strip width direction, the metal strip being symmetrically positioned with respect to a center line in the metal strip width direction, the centering device including:

a first holding body for holding the first end portion and a second holding body for holding the second end portion; and

a driving mechanism for driving the first holding body and the second holding body,

the first holding body or the second holding body holds the first end portion or the second end portion positioned in the vicinity of the center line,

the driving mechanism moves the first holding body holding the first end portion or the second holding body holding the second end portion away from the center line, thereby centering the metal strip.

According to the present invention, the first end portion or the second end portion located near the center line is moved while being stretched so as to be away from the center line in a state of being held by the first holding body or the second holding body. Thus, since the pressing force in the width direction of the metal strip does not act on the metal strip, the metal strip can be centered with the occurrence of wrinkles prevented even when the metal strip is thin.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a centering device for a metal strip of a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the centering device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view illustrating a centering method of a metal strip using the centering device shown in fig. 1. (A) The initial state is represented, and (B) the first side end detection state of the metal strip is represented.

Fig. 4 is a front view after fig. 3 illustrating a centering method of the metal strip. (A) The second side end detection state of the metal strip and the holding state of the metal strip are shown, and (B) the gripping (holding) movement state of the metal strip and the third side end detection state of the metal strip are shown.

Fig. 5 is a view schematically illustrating a centering device for a metal strip of a second embodiment. (A) is a sectional view, and (B) is a perspective view.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a centering method of a metal strip using the centering device shown in fig. 5. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the leading end of the metal strip moves along the inclined surface of the guide member, (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the leading end of the metal strip moves along the horizontal surface of the guide member, and (C) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the metal strip is held by the first holding body.

Fig. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a centering device for a metal strip of a third embodiment. (A) The front view is a plan view, and (B) is a front view showing a state in which the distal end of the metal strip sags.

Fig. 8 is a view schematically illustrating a main portion of the centering device of the metal strip shown in fig. 7. (A) The front end of the metal strip is drooped, and the front end of the metal strip is drooped.

Symbol description

1 … centering device;

3 … frame;

4 … support plates;

5 … motor;

5a … motor shaft;

6 … bearings;

7 … pulleys;

8 … tape;

9 … drive mechanism;

10 … upper shaft;

11 … first upper threaded portion;

12 … second upper threaded portion;

15 … upper rail;

20 … first movable clamp body (first holding body);

21 … first movable block;

22 … first cylinder;

23 … first lever (rotary shaft);

24 … first movable pad (first pad);

25 … first luminescence sensor (first sensor);

26 … first upper cutout;

27 … first upper threaded bore;

30 … second movable clamp body (second holding body);

31 … second movable block;

32 … second cylinder;

33 … second lever (rotary shaft);

34 … second movable pad (second pad);

35 … a second luminescence sensor (second sensor);

40 … lower shaft;

41 … first lower threaded portion;

42 … second lower threaded portion;

45 … lower rail;

50 … first opposed gripping bodies (first holding bodies);

51 … first opposing block;

54 … first opposed pad (first pad);

55 … a first light receiving sensor (first sensor);

56 … first undercut;

57 … first lower threaded hole;

58 … first front end correction;

58a … first inclined surface;

58b … first front end;

58c … first base end portion;

59 … first clamping portion;

60 … second opposing gripping bodies (second retaining bodies);

61 … second opposing block;

64 … second opposed pad (second pad);

65 … a second light receiving sensor (second sensor);

66 … second undercut;

67 … second lower threaded hole;

68 … second front end correction;

68a … second inclined surfaces;

68b … second front end;

68c … second base end portion;

69 … second clamping portion;

70 … guide member;

71 … horizontal portions;

72 … inclined portions;

79 … carrying rollers;

c … centerline;

d … positional offset;

f … metal strip handling direction;

l … metal strip center;

s … metal strips;

s1 … first side end;

s2 … second side end;

s3 … front end;

s4 … rear end;

s11 … first end;

S12 … second end;

w … metal strips width direction.

Detailed Description

Next, an embodiment of the centering device 1 for a metal strip S according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description, terms (e.g., terms including "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "rear") indicating a specific direction or position are used as needed, but the use of the above terms is for convenience in understanding the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present disclosure by the meaning of the above terms. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. The drawings are schematic, and the ratio of the dimensions and the like do not necessarily match the ratio of the actual dimensions.

First embodiment

With reference to fig. 1 and 2, a centering device 1 for a metal strip S according to a first embodiment will be described.

Fig. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a centering device 1 of a metal strip S of a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the centering device 1 shown in fig. 1.

The metal strip S is a strip-like (sheet-like or plate-like) metal strip (e.g., a steel strip) and is provided in a manner wound in a spiral. The metal strip S is subjected to various treatments such as annealing, plating, rolling, and painting. The metal strip S wound in a spiral shape is supplied to the processing apparatus while being wound, but if centering of the metal strip S is improper, there is a possibility that a conveyance failure occurs during conveyance over a long distance.

The centering device 1 is provided in a continuous processing apparatus such as a continuous annealing furnace for a metal strip S. The centering device 1 is used to align the position of the metal strip center L of the subsequent metal strip S with respect to the center line C (shown in fig. 3 a), for example, in the case of welding the rear end S4 of the previous metal strip S to the front end S3 of the subsequent metal strip S (shown in fig. 6 a).

The centering device 1 shown in fig. 1 comprises a frame 3, a drive mechanism 9, first and second holding bodies 20, 50, 30, 60, first and second sensors 25, 55, 35, 65.

The frame 3 is a rectangular frame body when viewed from the front. The frame 3 includes bearings 6, 6 at the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F at the upper and lower portions of the left side portion, and bearings 6, 6 at the upper and lower portions of the right side portion, respectively. The bearing 6 at the upper part of the left side and the bearing 6 at the upper part of the right side rotatably support the upper shaft 10. The bearing 6 at the lower portion of the left side portion and the bearing 6 at the lower portion of the right side portion rotatably support the lower shaft 40.

The upper shaft 10 has, for example, a first upper screw portion 11 on the left side (first side) of the drawing, a second upper screw portion 12 on the right side (second side) of the drawing, and extends in the metal strip width direction W. For example, the first upper thread portion 11 is a male right thread, and the second upper thread portion 12 is a male left thread.

As will be described later, the upper shaft 10 is screwed and supported with respect to the first movable clamp body 20 and the second movable clamp body 30. The upper rail 15 is disposed above the upper shaft 10 so as to extend in the wire width direction W, and guides the first movable clamp 20 and the second movable clamp 30 to be slidable in the wire width direction W.

Since one upper shaft 10 includes the first upper screw portion 11 of the right screw and the second upper screw portion 12 of the left screw, the first movable clamp body 20 and the second movable clamp body 30 move in opposite directions to each other in the width direction W of the metal strip by the rotation of the upper shaft 10. In other words, the first movable clamp body 20 and the second movable clamp body 30 move synchronously in a manner to be away from or close to each other in the metal strip width direction W, so that the interval between the two in the metal strip width direction W can be freely adjusted.

The first movable clamp body 20 is located on the left side of the frame 3 and functions as a first holding body. The first movable clamp body 20 has a first movable block 21, a first cylinder 22, a first rod 23, a first movable pad 24, and a first luminescence sensor 25.

The first movable block 21 has a female first upper screw hole 27 (shown in fig. 6), and the first upper screw hole 27 is screwed with the first upper screw portion 11 of the upper shaft 10. The first cylinder 22 is disposed below the first movable block 21. The first rod 23 is disposed at a lower portion of the first cylinder 22, and extends in the up-down direction (in other words, a direction orthogonal to the extending surface of the metal strip S).

The first cylinder 22 drives the first rod 23 in the up-down direction by means of hydraulic, pneumatic, or electromagnet drive. The first movable pad 24 functioning as a first pad is disposed at the lower end of the first lever 23. The first movable pad 24 is configured to be rotatable about a first lever 23 functioning as a rotation shaft, for example. Thus, when the first movable pad 24 holds the metal strip S and moves, wrinkles can be prevented from being generated in the metal strip S. The first luminescence sensor 25 is located at the lower portion of the first cylinder 22, is located outside the metal strip width direction W, and is disposed downstream in the metal strip conveying direction F, and functions as one of the first sensors.

The second movable clamp 30 is located on the right side of the frame 3 and functions as a second holding body. The second movable clamp body 30 has a second movable block 31, a second cylinder 32, a second rod 33, a second movable pad 34, and a second luminescence sensor 35.

The second movable block 31 has a female second upper screw hole (not shown), and the second upper screw hole 37 is screwed with the second upper screw portion 12 of the upper shaft 10. The second cylinder 32 is disposed below the second movable block 31. The second rod 33 is disposed at a lower portion of the second cylinder 32, and extends in the up-down direction (in other words, a direction orthogonal to the extending surface of the metal strip S).

The second cylinder 32 drives the second rod 33 in the up-down direction by a driving mechanism such as hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, or an electromagnet. The second movable pad 34 functioning as a second pad is disposed at the lower end of the second lever 33. The second movable pad 34 is configured to be rotatable about the second lever 33 functioning as a rotation shaft, for example. Thus, when the second movable pad 34 holds the metal strip S and moves, wrinkles can be prevented from being generated in the metal strip S. The second luminescence sensor 35 is located at the lower portion of the second cylinder 32, is located outside the metal strip width direction W, and is disposed downstream in the metal strip conveying direction F, and functions as one of the second sensors.

As described above, the first movable block 21 and the second movable block 31 are screwed with the first upper screw portion 11 and the second upper screw portion 12 of the upper shaft 10, respectively. At the same time, the first movable block 21 and the second movable block 31 are configured to slide in the metal strip width direction W by the upper rail 15. That is, the first movable block 21 has a concave first upper cutout 26 (shown in fig. 6) extending in the width direction W of the metal strip, and the first upper cutout 26 engages with the upper rail 15. The second movable block 31 has a concave second upper cutout (not shown) extending in the width direction W of the metal strip, and the second upper cutout engages with the upper rail 15. Thus, for example, the first movable clamp body 20 and the second movable clamp body 30 move so as to approach the center line C by the clockwise (right-handed) rotation of the upper shaft 10, and move so as to be away from the center line C by the counterclockwise (left-handed) rotation of the upper shaft 10.

The lower shaft 40 also has a first lower screw portion 41 on the left side (first side) of the drawing and a second lower screw portion 42 on the right side (second side) of the drawing, for example, and extends in the metal strip width direction W. For example, the first lower thread portion 41 is a male right thread, and the second lower thread portion 42 is a male left thread.

As will be described later, the lower shaft 40 is screwed and supported with respect to the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second opposing clamp body 60. The lower rail 45 is disposed so as to extend in the metal strip width direction W below the lower shaft 40, and guides the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second opposing clamp body 60 to be slidable in the metal strip width direction W.

Since one lower shaft 40 includes the first lower screw portion 41 of the right screw and the second lower screw portion 42 of the left screw, the first and second opposite clamp bodies 50 and 60 move in opposite directions to each other in the width direction W of the metal strip upon rotation of the lower shaft 40. In other words, the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second opposing clamp body 60 move synchronously in a manner to be away from or close to each other in the metal strip width direction W, so that the interval between both in the metal strip width direction W can be freely adjusted.

The first opposing clamp body 50 is located on the left side (first side) of the frame 3 and functions as a first holding body. The first opposing clamp body 50 has a first opposing block 51, a first opposing pad 54, and a first light receiving sensor 55.

The first opposing block 51 has a female first lower screw hole 57 (shown in fig. 5), and the first lower screw hole 57 is screwed with the first lower screw portion 41 of the lower shaft 40.

The first counter pad 54 functioning as the first pad is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft (not shown) disposed above the first counter block 51 and extending in the up-down direction, for example. Thus, in the case where the first opposing pad 54 holds the metal strip S and moves while being stretched, wrinkles caused by twisting at the in-plane of the metal strip S can be prevented from being generated at the metal strip S.

The first light receiving sensor 55 is located at the upper portion of the first opposing block 51, is located outside the metal strip width direction W, and is disposed downstream in the metal strip conveying direction F, and functions as the other of the first sensors. The light of the first light-emitting sensor 25 is received by the first light-receiving sensor 55. By this means, the first side end S1 of the metal strip S is detected, and it is possible to easily and accurately detect whether or not either the first side end S1 or the second side end S2 is located near the center line C.

The second opposing clamp body 60 is located on the right side (second side) of the frame 3 and functions as a second holding body. The second opposing clamp body 60 has a second opposing block 61, a second opposing pad 64, and a second light receiving sensor 65.

The second opposing block 61 has a female second lower threaded hole 67 (shown in fig. 5), and the second lower threaded hole 67 is screwed with the second lower threaded portion 42 of the lower shaft 40.

The second opposing pad 64 functioning as a second pad is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis (not shown) that is disposed above the second opposing block 61 and extends in the up-down direction, for example. Thus, in the case where the second opposing pad 64 holds the metal strip S and moves while being stretched, wrinkles caused by twisting at the in-plane of the metal strip S can be prevented from being generated at the metal strip S.

The second light receiving sensor 65 is located at the upper portion of the second opposing block 61, is located outside the metal strip width direction W, and is disposed downstream in the metal strip conveying direction F, and functions as the other of the second sensors. The light of the second light emitting sensor 35 is received by the second light receiving sensor 65. By this, the second side end S2 of the metal strip S is detected, and it is possible to easily and accurately detect whether or not either the first side end S1 or the second side end S2 is located near the center line C.

As described above, the first and second opposing blocks 51 and 61 are screwed with the first and second lower screw portions 41 and 42 of the lower shaft 40, respectively. At the same time, the first opposing block 51 and the second opposing block 61 are configured to slide in the metal strip width direction W by the lower rail 45. That is, the first opposing block 51 has a concave first lower cutout 56 (shown in fig. 6) extending in the metal strip width direction W, and the first lower cutout 56 engages with the lower rail 45. The second opposing block 61 has a concave second lower cutout (not shown) extending in the width direction W of the metal strip, and the second lower cutout engages with the lower rail 45. Thus, for example, the first and second opposing clamp bodies 50 and 60 move closer to the center line C by clockwise (right-handed) rotation of the lower shaft 40, and move away from the center line C by counterclockwise (left-handed) rotation of the lower shaft 40.

The centering device 1 includes a driving mechanism 9, and the driving mechanism 9 is configured to move the first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 functioning as the first holding body and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 functioning as the second holding body in synchronization in opposite directions in the metal strip width direction W. Thus, compared with the case where the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 are driven independently, accurate synchronous movement can be realized at low cost.

The driving mechanism 9 has the motor 5, the pulley 7, the belt 8, and the support plate 4, and is disposed, for example, on the left side (first side) of the frame 3. The motor 5 is mounted on the left side of the frame 3, for example, via a support plate 4. The motor shaft 5a of the motor 5 and the left end of the upper shaft 10 are coaxially coupled to each other to constitute a drive shaft. An upper pulley 7 is disposed on the drive shaft. The lower shaft 40 operates as a driven shaft, and a lower pulley 7 is disposed at the left end of the lower shaft 40. The lower pulley 7 is opposed to the upper pulley 7 in the up-down direction. The belt 8 is stretched over the upper pulley 7 and the lower pulley 7. Thus, for example, when the motor shaft 5a of the motor 5 rotates clockwise (right-handed), the upper shaft 10 rotates clockwise (right-handed), and the lower shaft 40 also rotates clockwise (right-handed) in synchronization with the rotation of the upper shaft 10.

Therefore, for example, when the motor shaft 5a of the motor 5 rotates clockwise (right-handed), the first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 move integrally in the metal strip width direction W so as to approach the center line C, and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 also move integrally in the metal strip width direction W so as to approach the center line C. In addition, for example, when the motor shaft 5a of the motor 5 rotates counterclockwise (left-handed), the first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 move integrally in the metal strip width direction W away from the center line C, and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 also move integrally in the metal strip width direction W away from the center line C.

In the centering device 1, the holding surface (upper surface) of the first counter pad 54 and the holding surface (upper surface) of the second counter pad 64 are substantially coplanar, and the lower surface of the metal strip S is located slightly above the upper surfaces of the first counter pad 54 and the second counter pad 64. Thus, even if the first counter pad 54 and the second counter pad 64 move in the metal strip width direction W, interference with the metal strip S can be prevented.

Therefore, the first end S11 or the second end S12 located near the center line C is moved while being stretched so as to be away from the center line C in a state of being held by the first holding bodies 20, 50 or the second holding bodies 30, 60. Accordingly, since the pressing force in the width direction W of the metal strip does not act on the metal strip S, centering of the metal strip S can be performed while preventing occurrence of wrinkles even when the metal strip S has a thin wall thickness.

With reference to fig. 3 and 4, a method of centering the metal strip S by the centering device 1 described above will be described. Fig. 3 is a front view illustrating a centering method of the metal strip S using the centering apparatus 1 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front view illustrating a centering method of the metal strip S after fig. 3.

Fig. 3 (a) shows an initial state in the centering action. The metal strip S conveyed in the metal strip conveying direction F is temporarily stopped when exceeding the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 to perform centering. In fig. 3 (a), the metal strip center L of the metal strip S is shifted in the metal strip width direction W by a position shift amount D to the right (second side) with respect to the center line C of the centering device 1. In contrast, the first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line C in the metal strip width direction W.

In the initial state shown in fig. 3 (a), the first movable pad 24 and the first counter pad 54 are located further outside than the first side end S1 of the metal strip S in the metal strip width direction W. The first movable pad 24 is located at a standby position above the metal strip S. Light from the first light-emitting sensor 25 is received by the first light-receiving sensor 55. Likewise, the second movable pad 34 and the second opposite pad 64 in the initial state are located outside the second side end S2 of the metal strip S in the metal strip width direction W. The second movable pad 34 is located at a standby position above the metal strip S. Light from the second light emitting sensor 35 is received by the second light receiving sensor 65.

Fig. 3 (B) shows a side end detection state of the first time of the metal strip S in the centering operation. The first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 are integrally moved in the metal strip width direction W so as to approach the center line C.

In the illustrated example, since the metal strip S is shifted to the right side (second side) in the metal strip width direction W, the second luminescence sensor 35 reaches the position of the second side end S2 of the metal strip S first in the first side end detection state. The light from the second light emitting sensor 35 is blocked by the second side end S2 of the metal strip S, thereby stopping the light reception of the second light receiving sensor 65. Thereby, as the first side end detection, the position of the second side end S2 of the metal strip S can be detected. At this time, the first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 are further integrally moved in the metal strip width direction W so as to approach the center line C in a state where the first movable pad 24 and the second movable pad 34 are placed at the standby position.

Fig. 4 (a) shows a second side end detection state of the metal strip S and a holding state of the metal strip S in the centering operation. In the second side end detection state, the first light emitting sensor 25 reaches the position of the first side end S1 of the metal strip S, and the light from the first light emitting sensor 25 is blocked by the first side end S1 of the metal strip S, so that the light reception by the first light receiving sensor 55 is stopped. Thereby, as the second side end detection, the position of the first side end S1 of the metal strip S can be detected. Then, the first movable pad 24 is moved downward, and the first end portion S11 on the left side (first side) of the metal strip S is sandwiched (held) by the first movable pad 24 and the first opposite pad 54. At this time, the second movable pad 34 is kept at the standby position, and the light reception by the second light receiving sensor 65 is stopped.

Fig. 4 (B) shows a state of the clamping (holding) movement of the metal strip S in the centering operation and a state of the third side end detection of the metal strip S. The first end S11 of the metal strip S is in a state of being sandwiched (held) by the first movable pad 24 and the first opposing pad 54. In the clamped (held) moving state, the first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 are integrally moved in the metal strip width direction W by the positional displacement D away from the center line C. In other words, in comparison with fig. 3 (a) and 3 (B), the first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 are moved in the opposite direction by the positional displacement amount D in the metal strip width direction W.

In the third side end detection state, the second light emitting sensor 35 reaches the position of the second side end S2 of the metal strip S, and the light shielding by the second side end S2 of the metal strip S is released, and the light from the second light emitting sensor 35 is received by the second light receiving sensor 65. Thereby, as the third side end detection, the position of the second side end S2 of the metal strip S can be detected. At the same time as this detection, the movement of the first holders 20, 50 and the second holders 30, 60 is stopped, and the first movable pad 24 of the first movable clamp 20 is lifted, so that the clamping (holding) of the metal strip S is released. Thus, since the first movable clamp body 20 and the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second movable clamp body 30 and the second opposing clamp body 60 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the center line C in the metal strip width direction W, the first side end S1 and the second side end S2 of the metal strip S are also positioned symmetrically with respect to the center line C in the metal strip width direction W. Therefore, the metal strip center L of the metal strip S coincides with the center line C of the centering device 1 in the metal strip width direction W, thereby completing centering of the metal strip S. In addition, in order to stop the movement of the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 while centering the metal strip S, it is desirable to appropriately adjust them in advance due to the influence of the spot diameters of the light beams emitted from the first light emitting sensor 25 and the second light emitting sensor 35, the light receiving sensitivity of the first light receiving sensor 55 and the second light receiving sensor 65.

In the above example, the metal strip center L of the metal strip S is shifted to the right (second side) with respect to the center line C in the metal strip width direction W. However, even when the metal strip center L is shifted to the left (first side), the metal strip S can be centered in the same manner by replacing each of "first o×", "second ΔΣ", and the like with each of "second o×", "first ΔΣ", and the like.

Second embodiment

The centering device 1 for the metal strip S according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a centering device 1 of a metal strip S of a second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of centering a metal strip S using the centering device 1 shown in fig. 5.

In the centering device 1 of the second embodiment, the guide member 70 is disposed upstream of the first holders 20, 50 and the second holders 30, 60 in the metal strip conveying direction F.

As shown in fig. 5 (a), the metal strip S is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F in a state of being placed on the plurality of conveying rollers 79. However, when the thickness of the metal strip S is thin and the rigidity is small, the distal end S3 of the metal strip S sags by its own weight when the conveying roller 79 is separated from the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 in the metal strip conveying direction F. In this state, when the metal strip S is conveyed further downstream in the metal strip conveying direction F, the leading end S3 of the metal strip S is located lower than the first counter pad 54 and the second counter pad 64, and there is a possibility that the leading end S3 of the metal strip S collides with the first counter pad 54 and the second counter pad 64 and cannot be supplied.

As shown in fig. 5 (a) and 5 (B), the guide member 70 is disposed upstream of the first holders 20, 50 and the second holders 30, 60 in the metal strip conveying direction F. Thereby, the tip S3 of the metal strip S sagging due to the dead weight can be supplied to the upper portions of the first counter pad 54 and the second counter pad 64. The guide member 70 has a horizontal portion 71 and an inclined portion 72. The horizontal portion 71 is located on the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F, and extends in the horizontal direction and the metal strip conveying direction F. The front portion of the horizontal portion 71 is located in the vicinity of the first opposing pad 54 and the second opposing pad 64. The upper surface of the horizontal portion 71 is located slightly above the holding surfaces (upper surfaces) of the first and second opposing pads 54 and 64, or the upper surface of the horizontal portion 71 is substantially coplanar with the holding surfaces (upper surfaces) of the first and second opposing pads 54 and 64.

The inclined portion 72 is located upstream of the horizontal portion 71 in the metal strip conveying direction F. The inclined portion 72 extends in the metal strip conveying direction F, and extends obliquely downward toward the upstream side of the metal strip conveying direction F.

As shown in fig. 6 (a), a case is considered in which the leading end S3 of the metal strip S is supplied in a state of sagging due to its own weight. As shown in fig. 6 (B), the tip S3 of the metal strip S that sags due to its own weight is conveyed to the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F while being guided by the inclined surface of the inclined portion 72 to move obliquely upward. Then, as shown in fig. 6C, the leading end S3 of the metal strip S drooping by the dead weight is moved by the horizontal portion 71 so as to extend in the horizontal direction, and is conveyed to the first counter pad 54 of the first holder 50 and the second counter pad 64 (not shown) of the second holder 60. Thus, even the metal strip S having a small thickness and a small rigidity can be stably supplied to the first holder 50 and the second holder 60.

Third embodiment

The centering device 1 for the metal strip S according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a centering device 1 of a metal strip S of a third embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a main portion of the centering device 1 of the metal strip S shown in fig. 7.

In the centering device 1 according to the third embodiment, the first tip correcting portion 58 and the second tip correcting portion 68 are disposed on the side of the center line C in the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second opposing clamp body 60, respectively.

As shown in fig. 7, the first opposing clamp body 50 has a first tip correction portion 58 disposed on the side of the center line C via a first sandwiching portion 59. The first sandwiching portion 59 is provided between the first opposing block 51 and the first opposing pad 54. The first tip correcting portion 58 has a first inclined surface 58a, a first tip portion 58b located on the side of the center line C, and a first base portion 58C located on the side of the first counter pad 54.

The first front end portion 58b is located above the first opposing block 51. The upper end of the first base end portion 58c is located slightly below the holding surface (upper surface) of the first counter pad 54 and below the front end S3 of the metal strip S that sags due to the dead weight. The first base end portion 58c of the first tip correction portion 58 has substantially the same width dimension as the first sandwiching portion 59 in the metal strip conveying direction F.

In contrast, the first tip end portion 58b of the first tip end correcting portion 58 has a smaller width than the first sandwiching portion 59, but the width on the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F becomes smaller. Although shown in an exaggerated manner, as shown in fig. 7 (a), the first tip correction portion 58 has a right triangle shape in a plan view. Accordingly, the first tip correcting portion 58 has a tip tapered shape protruding toward the center line C side. The first inclined surface 58a extends obliquely downward from the upper end of the first base end portion 58C to the upper end of the first tip end portion 58b, in other words, from the first opposite pad 54 side toward the center line C side.

As described above, the first tip correction portion 58 has a shape in which the width dimension on the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F is reduced, a tip tapered shape protruding toward the center line C side, and a shape inclined downward. Accordingly, in cooperation with the movement of the first opposing clamp body 50 toward the center line C, the leading end S3 of the metal strip S sagging due to the own weight can be lifted on the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F of the conveying roller 79. Thereby, the lower surface of the front end S3 of the metal strip S can be located slightly above the holding surface (upper surface) of the first counter pad 54.

The second opposing clamp body 60 has a second tip correction portion 68 disposed on the side of the center line C via a second clamp portion 69, similarly to the first opposing clamp body 50. The second sandwiching portion 69 is provided between the second opposing block 61 and the second opposing pad 64. The second tip correction portion 68 has a second inclined surface 68a, a second tip portion 68b located on the side of the center line C, and a second base portion 68C located on the side of the first counter pad 54.

The second front end portion 68b is located above the second opposing block 61. The upper end of the second base end portion 68c is located slightly below the holding surface (upper surface) of the second opposing pad 64, and is located below the front end S3 of the metal strip S that sags due to the dead weight. The second base end portion 68c of the second tip correction portion 68 has substantially the same width dimension as the second clamp portion 69 in the metal strip conveying direction F.

In contrast, the second tip end portion 68b of the second tip end correcting portion 68 has a smaller width dimension than the second clamping portion 69, but the width dimension on the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F becomes smaller. Although shown in an exaggerated manner, as shown in fig. 7 (a), the second tip correction portion 68 has a right triangle shape in a plan view. Accordingly, the second tip correcting portion 68 has a tip tapered shape protruding toward the center line C side. The second inclined surface 68a extends obliquely downward from the upper end of the second base end portion 68C to the upper end of the second tip end portion 68b, in other words, from the second opposite pad 64 side toward the center line C side.

As described above, the second tip correction portion 68 has a shape in which the width dimension on the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F is reduced, a tip tapered shape protruding toward the center line C side, and a shape inclined downward. In this way, in conjunction with the movement of the second opposing clamp 60 toward the center line C, the leading end S3 of the metal strip S sagging due to the own weight can be lifted up on the downstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F of the conveying roller 79. Thereby, the lower surface of the front end S3 of the metal strip S can be positioned slightly above the holding surface (upper surface) of the second opposing pad 64.

Accordingly, in cooperation with the movement of the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second opposing clamp body 60 toward the center line C, the lower surface of the front end S3 of the metal strip S is located slightly above the holding surfaces (upper surfaces) of the first opposing pad 54 and the second opposing pad 64. Thus, even if the metal strip S is thin and rigid, the first opposing clamp body 50 and the second opposing clamp body 60 can be stably supplied to the first holding body 50 and the second holding body 60 without providing a new driving mechanism.

The specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the first movable pad 24 and the second movable pad 34 positioned above are configured to move in the up-down direction, and the first counter pad 54 and the second counter pad 64 positioned below are not configured to move in the up-down direction. However, the structure opposite to the above embodiment in the up-down direction may be adopted. That is, the first movable pad 24 and the second movable pad 34 that move in the up-down direction may be positioned below, and the first counter pad 54 and the second counter pad 64 that do not move in the up-down direction may be positioned above. In this case, the holding surfaces (lower surfaces) of the first opposing pad 54 and the second opposing pad 64 located above are configured to be located slightly above the upper surface of the front end S3 of the metal strip S.

In the above embodiment, as shown in fig. 3 (a), as an initial state in the centering operation, the mode in which the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 are located outside the metal strip S in the metal strip width direction W is exemplified. Thus, even if the gap between the first movable pad 24 and the first opposing pad 54 and the gap between the second movable pad 34 and the second opposing pad 64 are narrowed, the first movable pad 24 and the second movable pad 34 can be prevented from interfering with the metal strip S conveyed in the metal strip conveying direction F. However, as an initial state in the centering operation, the first holders 20, 50 and the second holders 30, 60 may be positioned inward (near the center line C) in the strap width direction W with respect to the strap S. This can omit the second detection of the lateral ends of the metal strip S, and thus can shorten the time required for centering operation.

In the above embodiment, the centering device 1 includes the pair of first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60. However, the centering device 1 may be configured to further include the same pair of the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 on the upstream side in the metal strip conveying direction F of the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60. In other words, two or more pairs of the plurality of first holders 20, 50 and the plurality of second holders 30, 60 may be arranged along the metal strip conveying direction F. Thereby, the position correction of the metal strip S in the metal strip conveying direction F becomes easy.

In the above embodiment, the holding is performed by sandwiching the metal strip S by the first movable pad 24 and the first opposing pad 54 or the second movable pad 34 and the second opposing pad 64. However, the first movable pad 24 and the second movable pad 34 or the first opposite pad 54 and the second opposite pad 64 may be provided in such a manner as to have a function of holding the metal strip S by vacuum suction. Thus, the member (either one of the first movable pad 24 or the first opposing pad 54, or either one of the second movable pad 34 or the second opposing pad 64) required for sandwiching the metal strip S can be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the mode of applying the centering of the present invention in the step before welding the metal strip S has been exemplified, but the centering of the present invention can be applied to all the steps requiring the centering of the metal strip S.

Summary of the invention and embodiments is as follows.

In the centering device 1 for a metal strip S according to one embodiment of the present invention, the metal strip S having a first end portion S11 and a second end portion S12 in a metal strip width direction W is positioned symmetrically with respect to a center line C in the metal strip width direction W, and the centering device 1 includes:

First holders 20, 50 for holding the first end portion S11 and second holders 30, 60 for holding the second end portion S12; and

a driving mechanism 9 for driving the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60,

the first holding bodies 20, 50 or the second holding bodies 30, 60 hold the first end portion S11 or the second end portion S12 positioned in the vicinity of the center line C,

the driving mechanism 9 centers the metal strip S by moving the first holders 20, 50 holding the first end S11 or the second holders 30, 60 holding the second end S12 away from the center line C.

According to the above-described aspect, the first end portion S11 or the second end portion S12 located near the center line C is moved while being stretched so as to be away from the center line C in a state of being held by the first holding bodies 20, 50 or the second holding bodies 30, 60. Accordingly, since the pressing force in the width direction W of the metal strip does not act on the metal strip S, the metal strip S can be centered while preventing wrinkles from occurring even when the metal strip S has a thin wall thickness.

In addition, in the centering device 1 of one embodiment,

the driving mechanism 9 drives the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 so as to move synchronously in opposite directions to each other in the metal strip width direction W.

According to the above embodiment, accurate synchronous movement can be achieved at low cost as compared with the case where the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 are driven independently, respectively.

In addition, in the centering device 1 of one embodiment,

the first sensors 25 and 55 for detecting the first side end S1 at the first end S11 are disposed outside the first holders 20 and 50 in the width direction W of the metal strip, and the second sensors 35 and 65 for detecting the second side end S2 at the second end S12 are disposed outside the second holders 30 and 60 in the width direction W of the metal strip.

According to the above embodiment, it is possible to easily and accurately detect that either the first side end S1 or the second side end S2 is located near the center line C. In short, the above-described "third-time side end detection" becomes possible.

In addition, in the centering device 1 of one embodiment,

Each of the first holding bodies 20, 50 and the second holding bodies 30, 60 has a first pad 24, 54 and a second pad 34, 64 that rotate about a rotation axis 23, 33 extending in a direction orthogonal to an extending surface of the metal strip S.

According to the above embodiment, in the case where the first pads 24, 54 and the second pads 34, 64 hold the metal strip S and move while being stretched, wrinkles caused by twisting in the plane of the metal strip S can be prevented from being generated on the metal strip S.

In addition, in the centering device 1 of one embodiment,

the guide member 70 having the inclined portion 72 for guiding the distal end S3 of the metal strip S in an inclined plane is disposed at a position upstream of the first holders 20, 50 and the second holders 30, 60 in the metal strip conveying direction F.

According to the above embodiment, the leading end S3 of the metal strip S sagging due to the dead weight can be supplied to the first counter pad 54 and the second counter pad 64.

In another aspect of the method of centering the metal strip S,

the above-mentioned centering method of the above-mentioned metal strip S using the above-mentioned centering device 1 includes:

a step of holding the first end portion S11 or the second end portion S12 located in the vicinity of the center line C by the first holding bodies 20, 50 or the second holding bodies 30, 60; and

The first holders 20, 50 holding the first end portion S11 or the second holders 30, 60 holding the second end portion S12 are moved away from the center line C by the driving mechanism 9, so that the metal strip S is centered.

According to the above method, one of the first end portion S11 and the second end portion S12 located near the center line C is moved while being stretched so as to be away from the center line C while being held by the first holding bodies 20, 50 or the second holding bodies 30, 60. Accordingly, since the pressing force in the width direction W of the metal strip does not act on the metal strip S, the metal strip S can be centered while preventing wrinkles from occurring even when the metal strip S has a thin wall thickness.

Claims

1. A centering device that positions a metal strip having a first end and a second end in a metal strip width direction symmetrically with respect to a center line in the metal strip width direction, characterized by comprising:

a first holding body holding the first end portion and a second holding body holding the second end portion; and

a driving mechanism that drives the first holding body and the second holding body,

the drive mechanism moves the first holder holding the first end portion or the second holder holding the second end portion away from the center line, thereby centering the metal strip.

2. The centering device of claim 1,

the driving mechanism drives the first holding body and the second holding body so as to move synchronously in opposite directions to each other in the width direction of the metal strip.

3. The centering device of claim 1,

the first sensor for detecting the first side end at the first end is disposed outside the first holder in the width direction of the metal strip, and the second sensor for detecting the second side end at the second end is disposed outside the second holder in the width direction of the metal strip.

4. The centering device of claim 1,

each of the first and second holding bodies has a first pad and a second pad that rotate about a rotation axis extending in a direction orthogonal to an extension plane of the metal strip.

5. The centering device of claim 1,

a guide member having an inclined portion for guiding the front end of the metal strip along an inclined surface is disposed at a position on the upstream side in the metal strip conveying direction than the first holding body and the second holding body.

6. A centering method of the metal strip using the centering device of any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the centering method comprises:

a step of holding the first end portion or the second end portion located in the vicinity of the center line by the first holding body or the second holding body; and

and a step of centering the metal strip by moving the first holding body holding the first end portion or the second holding body holding the second end portion away from the center line by the driving mechanism.