Patent Application
20080185095
The invention relates to a device for picking up, displacing and placing a band or strip of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords.
Such band and/or strips are particularly used in the building of tyres.
Among others from NL-C-1.022.246, but also from EP 904.959 and EP 1.095.764 a device is known for producing belt layers wherein each belt layer is built up from several strips. Supplying and positioning the strip in this process takes a lot of time and needs to be improved.
From EP 1.286.903 a supply device is furthermore known for supplying rubber material to a cutting device. In this case as well transferring a band past a cutting device and the further positioning of the band or strips cut off from it, in this case specifically for a belt layer, needs to be improved.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,205 a device is known for arranging strips on a drum. Due to the chosen structure, the operation speed needs to be improved.
It is an object of the invention to at least partially overcome said drawbacks.
For that purpose the invention provides a device for picking up, displacing and placing a strip or band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, with a leading end of the strip or band from a starting position to an end position in a downstream direction, comprising:
By means of such a device a band can be displaced very quickly, and moreover highly reliable as regards position. Particularly the number of parts, particularly their mass, that have to be brought into motion along with the band can be made as small as possible. Moreover the position and orientation of the bands or strips to be displaced may be determined during the process.
When the device is furthermore provided with a drive for the conveyor belt the band can be displaced even quicker and further with a smaller operational stroke of the retaining unit.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,205 a description of a drive of the conveyor belt is not further provided. A first frame is displaced with respect to a stationary frame, and a second frame is displaced with respect to the stationary frame and the first frame. Moreover a complete belt layer is then displaced to a building drum.
In such devices according to the invention, which for instance are used in the production of components for vehicle tyres such as car tyres, truck tyres, and the like, particularly in the production of components such as belt layers, speed and accuracy are of importance. Particularly when the device according to the invention is used in a device as described in PCT/NL03/00926, which application should be considered fully incorporated in this description, wherein the belt layer of breaker ply is built up from strips, the positioning should be more accurate than 0.1 mm and a band should be placed within 0.1 second. The band is provided with continuous reinforcement cords in the longitudinal direction of the band. The strips are cut off at an angle to the reinforcement cords. The band comes from an extrusion device.
In that case the band is approximately 5-20 cm wide, and the cutting angle at which the reinforcement cords are cut may be approximately transverse to the reinforcement cords, or 15-30 degrees thereto for a belt layer.
The tensioning means ensure that during the mutual displacement of the rollers the conveyor remains correctly around the rollers. In one embodiment the tensioning means are adapted for during the mutual displacement of the rollers having at least a part of the conveyor belt maintain its position with respect to the frame.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the tensioning means comprise a third further roller.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the tensioning means comprise a fourth further roller.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the third further roller is mounted on the retaining unit.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the fourth further roller is mounted on the frame.
In this way an arrangement is possible wherein the circulation speed of the fourth roller determines the belt speed.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention with the third and fourth further rollers, the third further roller is mounted on the retaining unit and the fourth further roller is mounted on the frame, wherein the rollers are mutually positioned for during said displacement of the retaining unit keeping the conveyor belt under tension. By using the rollers a tensioning means can very easily be realised. Moreover it is thus made possible, as explained further below, to even further reduce the mass to be brought into motion.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the retaining unit is displaceable from a first position to a second position.
In one embodiment of this device the retaining unit is displaceable parallel to at least a part of a displacement path of the band.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the retaining unit is displaceable along a linear displacement path, preferably a horizontal displacement path.
In this way, as is further elucidated further below in this description, it is possible to reach past a cutting device for picking up a band and displacing the band past the cutting device.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the retaining means are positioned within the conveyor belt, and preferably comprise magnets or means for generating a vacuum. By means of an air pump a vacuum can be generated. By for instance making holes in a conveyor belt and via said holes sucking off air at one side via the vacuum pump a band can be sucked fixed onto the conveyor belt. When the band has been provided with iron or steel reinforcement cords the band can be retained onto the conveyor belt by means of magnets, either permanent magnets or electromagnets, which have the additional advantage that they can be switched on and off. Even, as is the case in one preferred embodiment, underneath a conveyor belt.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention it further comprises a drive device for driving the conveyor belt.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the drive device for the conveyor belt is connected to the frame, particularly stationary connected to the frame. In this way a higher production speed is possible.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention it further comprises a drive device for the displacement of the retaining unit.
In one embodiment of said device the drive device for the retaining unit is connected to the frame, particularly stationary connected to the frame. In this way a higher production speed is possible.
In one embodiment of the device with the third roller, the second and third roller have been mounted on the retaining unit such with respect to each other that a first tangent line that notionally contacts both rollers is parallel to a displacement path of the retaining unit. In this way the conveyor belt remains easily tensioned when displacing the retaining unit.
In one embodiment of said device with the third and fourth roller, the third and fourth roller have been mounted such with respect to each other that a second tangent line that notionally contacts both rollers is parallel to the first tangent line. In this way the conveyor belt will remain tensioned during the displacement of the retaining unit. Moreover the conveyor belt can remain rotation-fixed with respect to the frame during displacement of the retaining unit.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the conveyor belt is a toothed belt. In that way the displacement is adjustable and detectable.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the device is adapted for displacing the band substantially along a longitudinal axis of the band. In that way it is possible to prevent deformation of the bands. This is particularly advantageous in case of bands provided with reinforcement cords in the longitudinal direction.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the conveyor belt is positioned above the band. The retaining unit retains the band to the bottom side of the conveyor belt.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the retaining unit and a drive unit for driving the conveyor belt are operationally connected to a control unit for in mutual cooperation of the displacement of the retaining unit and the conveyor belt displacing the band along a displacement path. Due to the cooperation of the retaining unit and the conveyor belt speed can be gained.
In one embodiment of said device it further comprises location detectors or location sensors, operationally connected to the control unit, for detecting the position of the band. The location detectors or other sensors supply measurement data to the control unit for process monitoring purposes on the one hand, and for adjustments on the other hand. In particular in case of tyre building machines the consequential loss may be very high, and verification of the production data becomes increasingly important.
The invention further relates to an assembly for producing a strip from a band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, comprising a device according to the invention as described above, wherein the assembly further comprises:
Such an assembly clearly shows the advantages of the device according to the invention. A strip can simply be passed past the cutting device whereas the position is at all times fixed. Moreover the displacement is fast.
In one embodiment of this assembly the placement unit comprises a conveyor belt having a conveyor member having a longitudinal axis parallel to the supply direction and having a feed side which, when the assembly is operative, is displaceable from the supply device to the discharge device. Such a device can even move in between a lower and upper blade of a cutting device without disrupting or slowing down the latter's action.
In one embodiment of the assembly the retaining unit is displaceable parallel to the conveyor belt.
In one embodiment of the assembly the retaining unit has an end oriented towards the cutting device, which retaining unit is provided with the second roller, wherein the retaining unit is displaceable from a first position with the second roller upstream with respect to the cutting device to a second position with the second roller downstream past the cutting device.
In one embodiment of said assembly the supply device is provided with a supply surface on which a band can be supplied, preferably the supply device comprises a supply conveyor belt, and the second roller in the first position is above the supply surface, preferably just above the supply surface for taking off a band or strip therefrom.
In one embodiment of said assembly the supply unit is displaceable in line with respect to the supply device.
In one embodiment of said assembly the discharge device is provided with a discharge surface on which a strip or a component manufactured therefrom can be discharged, preferably the discharge device comprises a discharge conveyor belt, and the second roller in the second position is above the discharge surface, preferably just above the discharge surface for discharging a band or strip thereon.
In one embodiment of the assembly the first roller is positioned in line with respect to the second roller wherein a notional tangent line notionally contacting the first and second roller is substantially parallel to the supply surface.
In one embodiment of the assembly the first roller is positioned in line with respect to the second roller wherein a notional tangent line notionally contacting the first and second roller is substantially parallel to the discharge surface.
In one embodiment of the assembly the roller is positioned downstream past the second position.
In one embodiment of the assembly the supply device is positioned with respect to the discharge device such that the supply direction is at an angle to the discharge direction.
The invention further relates to an assembly for producing a strip from a band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, comprising:
In one embodiment of said assembly the placement unit comprises a retaining unit for retaining the band or the end of the strip on the conveyor belt.
In one embodiment of the assembly the cutting device comprises a lower blade and upper blade, and the end of the conveyor belt is displaceable in between the lower blade and the upper blade.
The invention further relates to a method for cutting strips from a band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, comprising the steps:
In one embodiment of said method wherein the cutting device comprises a lower blade and an upper blade, the device for picking up and placing reaches in between the lower blade and the upper blade for picking up the band and passes the band past the blades.
The invention further relates to a cutting device for cutting a strip from a continuous band of unvulcanised rubber material, comprising a first and second cutting member, positioned for carrying out a cutting motion with respect to each other, a supply conveyor device for conveying the continuous band to the cutting members, and a displacement device provided with a conveyor belt having a feed side, wherein the conveyor belt is positioned in a first position downstream past the cutting members, is provided with displacement means for displacing the feed side upstream in between the cutting members in an upstream position up to the supply conveyor device, and is provided with retaining means for in the upstream position of the feed side retaining the band on the conveyor belt and retaining it thereon while the conveyor belt returns to the first position.
In this way a fast and reliable displacement is possible whereas deformations are avoided as much as possible.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the first roller has a position with the first axis of rotation downstream from the end position. In one embodiment, at least when the device is operative, the first roller is fixedly positioned with respect to the end position. In a further embodiment the first roller with its axis of rotation is downstream from the end position. In this way a strip or band can be retained over the full displacement path.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the frame when the device is operative, is fixedly positioned with respect to the end position.
In one embodiment of the device according to the invention the tensioning means comprise a third further roller.
In one embodiment of said device the third further roller is mounted on the retaining unit. In a further embodiment said roller is mounted with its axis of rotation downstream with respect to the axis of rotation of the second roller. In a further embodiment said roller, when the device is operative, has a fixed position with respect to the second roller. In yet a further embodiment the roller is mounted with a first position with its axis of rotation upstream from the axis of rotation of the second roller.
In an embodiment of the device the tensioning means comprise a fourth further roller that is mounted on the frame, in a further embodiment, when the device is operative, with a fixed position with respect to the first roller. In one embodiment said position is upstream therefrom.
Due to the arrangement it is possible to choose such a mutual positioning of the rollers that the speed of circulation of the fourth roller determines the belt speed.
In one embodiment wherein the device comprises the third and fourth further rollers, the third roller is mounted on the retaining unit and the fourth roller is mounted on the frame, wherein the rollers are positioned such with respect to each other for during displacement of the retaining unit keeping the conveyor belt tensioned. In one embodiment, when the device is operative, an axis of rotation of the third roller is downstream from the fourth roller during the displacement of the strip or band.
In one embodiment the retaining unit comprises an upstream rear retaining end and a downstream front retaining end and, when the device is operative, the retaining unit is displaceable from a first position with its rear retaining end at least near the starting position to a second position with its front retaining end at least near the end position.
In one embodiment thereof the retaining unit is displaceable parallel to at least a part of a displacement path of the band.
In one embodiment the retaining unit is displaceable along a linear displacement path, preferably a horizontal displacement path.
In one embodiment the retaining means are positioned within the conveyor belt. In a further embodiment they comprise magnets or means for generating a vacuum.
In one embodiment the device further comprises a drive device for driving the conveyor belt.
In one embodiment thereof the drive device for the conveyor belt is connected to the frame, particularly stationary connected to the frame.
In one embodiment the drive device for the retaining unit is connected to the frame, particularly stationary connected with respect to the frame.
In one embodiment thereof the drive device comprises a displacement member which can be drivably displaced with respect to the frame by the drive device, in one embodiment movable parallel to a displacement path along which the strip or band is displaced when the device is operative, and the retaining unit comprises a flight that engages onto the displacement member in order to set the retaining unit into motion.
In one embodiment the device further comprises a conveyor belt drive unit for driving the conveyor belt for in operation effecting a displacement or placement of the strip or band, wherein in one embodiment the conveyor belt drive unit is arranged at the frame, in one embodiment stationary with respect to the frame, wherein the conveyor belt drive unit in further embodiment drives the first roller or, if present, another roller mounted on the frame or a combination of said rollers. A further advantage of the device of the embodiment is that by means of the conveyor belt the strip or band can already be displaced prior to the displacement of the retaining unit starting.
In one embodiment when the device is provided with the third roller, the second and third roller have been mounted on the retaining unit such with respect to each other that a first tangent line that notionally contacts both rollers is substantially parallel to a displacement path of the retaining unit.
In one embodiment when further provided with the fourth roller, the third and fourth roller have been mounted such with respect to each other that a second tangent line that notionally contacts both rollers is substantially parallel to the first tangent line.
In one embodiment the conveyor belt is a toothed belt.
In one embodiment the device is adapted for displacing the band substantially along a longitudinal axis of the band.
In one embodiment the conveyor belt is positioned above the band.
In one embodiment the retaining unit and a drive unit for driving the conveyor belt are operationally connected to a control unit for in mutual cooperation of the displacement of the retaining unit and the conveyor belt displacing the band along a displacement path.
In one embodiment the device further comprises location readers or location sensors, operationally connected to the control unit, for reading the position of the band or strip.
In one embodiment the control unit is further operationally coupled to the conveyor belt drive unit.
In one embodiment the control unit is adapted for based on the position of the strip or band read by means of the location readers or location sensors, carrying out a correction of the drive unit and, if present, the conveyor belt drive unit.
The invention further relates to an assembly, comprising a device as described, and further comprises a cutting device for along a cutting line cutting off a strip from an end of the band, positioned between the starting position and the end position, wherein the device is positioned downstream from the cutting device for when operative extending upstream past the cutting device and picking up the band at its end, subsequently passing the end of the band downstream past the cutting device, with when operative the first position of the second roller upstream from the cutting line.
In one embodiment of such an assembly wherein the band is provided with reinforcement cords extending in longitudinal direction of the band, the cutting device is positioned for cutting with the cutting line at an angle to the reinforcement cords.
In one embodiment of the assembly it further comprises:
In one embodiment of the assembly the placement unit comprises a conveyor belt having a conveyor member having a longitudinal axis parallel to the supply direction and having a feed side which, when the assembly is operative, is displaceable from the supply device to the discharge device.
In one embodiment of the assembly the retaining unit is displaceable parallel to the conveyor belt.
In one embodiment of the assembly the retaining unit has an end oriented towards the cutting device, which retaining unit is provided with the second roller, wherein the retaining unit is displaceable from a first position with the second roller upstream with respect to the cutting device to a second position with the second roller downstream past the cutting device.
In one embodiment of the assembly the supply device is provided with a supply surface on which a band can be supplied, in one embodiment the supply device comprises a supply conveyor belt, and the second roller in the first position is above the supply surface, in one embodiment just above the supply surface for taking off a band or strip therefrom.
In one embodiment of the assembly the supply unit is displaceable in line with respect to the supply device.
In one embodiment the discharge device is provided with a discharge surface on which a strip or a component manufactured therefrom can be discharged, in a further embodiment the discharge device comprises a discharge conveyor belt, and the second roller in the second position is above the discharge surface, in one embodiment just above the discharge surface for discharging a band or strip thereon.
In one embodiment of the assembly the first roller is positioned in line with respect to the second roller wherein a notional tangent line notionally contacting the first and second roller is substantially parallel to the supply surface.
In one embodiment the first roller is positioned in line with respect to the second roller wherein a notional tangent line notionally contacting the first and second roller is substantially parallel to the discharge surface.
In one embodiment the first roller is positioned downstream past the second position.
In one embodiment the supply device is positioned with respect to the discharge device such that the supply direction is at an angle to the discharge direction.
The invention further regards an assembly for producing a strip from a band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, comprising:
In one embodiment of this assembly the placement unit comprises a retaining unit for retaining the strip or the end of the band on the conveyor belt.
In one embodiment of the assembly the cutting device comprises a lower blade and upper blade, and the end of the conveyor belt is displaceable in between the lower blade and the upper blade.
In one embodiment of said assembly the pick-up and placement unit comprises a device as described above.
The invention further relates to a method for cutting strips from a band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, comprising the steps:
In one embodiment of said method the cutting device comprises a lower blade and an upper blade, and the device for picking up and placing reaches in between the lower blade and the upper blade for picking up the band and passes the band past the blades.
The invention further relates to a device for cutting a strip from a continuous band of unvulcanised rubber material, comprising a first and second cutting member, positioned for carrying out a cutting motion with respect to each other, a supply conveyor device for conveying the continuous band to the cutting members, and a displacement unit provided with a conveyor belt having a feed side, wherein the conveyor belt is positioned in a first position downstream past the cutting members, is provided with displacement means for displacing the feed side upstream in between the cutting members in an upstream position up to the supply conveyor device, and is provided with retaining means for in the upstream position of the feed side retaining the band on the conveyor belt and retaining it thereon while the conveyor belt returns to the first position.
The invention further relates to a device for picking up, displacing and placing a strip or band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, comprising:
The embodiments described above can be combined.
The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiment of a device, assembly and method according to the invention, in which further advantages are explained and in which:
In
The assembly has furthermore been provided with a cutting device, in this case comprising an upper blade 6 and a lower blade 5. The cutting device is positioned at the outlet side 16 of the supply conveyor belt 2. Upstream with respect to the supply conveyor belt 2 and adjacent to the blades 5, 6 a discharge conveyor device 10, in this case a conveyor, for instance a so-called toothed belt or timing belt conveyor is positioned. Said conveyor 10 is positioned with its conveyance direction pointing out of the paper in the direction V.
The placement device 1 is provided with a conveyor belt 7, which runs over rollers 11, 12, 13 and 14. The placement device is provided with a frame 15, on which the rollers 11 and 12 are fixedly mounted with respect to each other. The placement device is further provided with a placement unit 8, which with respect to frame 15 is reciprocally movable upstream and downstream, in this case from right to left and vice versa. The roller 14 of the conveyor belt and the roller 13 are fixedly mounted with respect to each other on the movable or displaceable placement unit 8. The position of the rollers and the mutual movement of the frame 15 and the placement unit 8 are such that in case of displacement of the placement unit 8 with respect to the frame 15 the conveyor belt remains under tension.
The placement unit 8 is furthermore provided with retaining means 9 which extend up to the conveyor belt 7. Said retaining means may for instance be an electromagnet that can be switched on and off, or means for creating a vacuum.
In
In the figure the upper blade 6 makes a stroke with respect to the lower blade 5 which is large enough to let the entire placement unit 8 pass. The stroke may due to the selected dimensioning even be selected so small that the roller 14 can just be let through. As a result a smaller stroke and thus an even greater speed is possible.
The retaining means 9 of the placement unit 8 are activated so that the rubber material is also retained on the conveyor belt 7 and by activating the conveyor belt 7 the rubber material 3, that is retained against the conveyor belt 7, is conveyed in the direction E. The rubber material 3 is now conveyed in cooperation of both the conveyor belt 7 of the placement device and the supply device 2, wherein the speed of circulation of the roller 12 determines the running speed of conveyor belt. Simultaneously a length measurement of the material that has been conveyed past the blades is started, for instance in the way as described in among others applicant's EP-B1-649.730.
When the cut off strip is at the correct position on conveyor belt 10 retaining means 9 will be switched off (for instance electromagnets are switched off). Simultaneously retaining means of conveyor belt 10 are switched on, as a result of which the band is retained on the conveyor belt 10.
After that the discharge conveyor 10 is activated in order to carry out a displacement either such that the next strip can be placed against a preceding strip, or for discharging a complete component, built up from several strips. This procedure is for instance discussed in detail in said PCT/NL03/00926.
Because also the conveyor belt 7 is drivable a band can be displaced over a distance S by displacing the placement unit over a distance L in cooperation with the conveyor belt.
The conveyor belt 7 here runs over four rollers, wherein rollers 13 and 14 are connected to placement unit 8. Rollers 11, 12, 12′ have been mounted on frame 15. Due to the chosen structure only placement frame 8 with the rollers needs to be reciprocally moved, that means upstream and downstream, and the drive for the conveyor belt and the drive 23 of the placement frame 8 can be stationary mounted on frame 15. As a result the mass to be brought into motion can be kept as small as possible and it is possible to achieve a very high production speed. Moreover both the strip and the band are continuously retained so that the location is known and placement of the strips can take place accurately.
Due to the small diameter of roller 14 the stroke of the blades can moreover be kept limited.
Due to the selection of the rollers it is moreover possible to move the placement frame 8 while the conveyor belt does not rotate with respect to frame 15, that means remains stationary or does not circulate.
It will be clear that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention to the embodiments shown therein. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1027846 | Dec 2004 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2005/000882 | 12/22/2005 | WO | 00 | 6/15/2007 |
