CENTERING DEVICE FOR METAL BLANKS

Abstract

A device for aligning a metal blank for a temperature control system which has at least one temperature control unit for heating or cooling the metal blank includes at least two support rollers on which the metal blank can be placed and conveyed through the temperature control system by rotation of the support rollers in the throughput direction and within a conveying plane. The support rollers are arranged spaced apart in the throughput direction. The device further includes a first centering unit having at least one centering finger which is movably arranged within the conveying plane such that the centering finger is movable transversely to the throughput direction in order to align the metal blank in a predetermined orientation.

Claims

1. A device (100) for aligning a metal blank (150) for a temperature control system (200), which comprises at least one temperature control unit (201, 202, 203) for heating or cooling the metal blank (150), the device (100) comprising at least two support rollers (101) on which the metal blank (150) is placeable and conveyable through the temperature control system (200) by rotation of the support rollers (101) in the throughput direction (105) and within a conveying plane (204), wherein the support rollers (101) are spaced apart in the throughput direction (105), a first centering unit (110) having at least one centering finger (111) which is movably arranged within the conveying plane (204) such that the centering finger (111) is movable transversely to the throughput direction (105) in order to align the metal blank (150), which is placeable on the support rollers (101), in a predetermined orientation, and a second centering unit (115) with at least one centering finger (111) which is movably arranged within the conveying plane (204) such that the centering finger (111) is movable transversely to the throughput direction (105) in order to align the metal blank (150) in a further predetermined orientation, wherein the second centering unit (115) is arranged at a distance from the first centering unit (110) in the throughput direction (105) and/or transversely to the throughput direction (105), wherein, in a floor in front of or in the temperature control unit (201, 202, 203), a floor guide unit with a floor guide (116) is arranged in the throughput direction (105) and a further floor guide (117) is arranged in the transverse direction (106), wherein the floor guide (116) in the throughput direction (105) and the further floor guide (117) in the transverse direction (106) have intersecting guide rails along which the centering unit (110) and the further centering unit (115) may be guided accordingly in the throughput direction (105) or transversely thereto and may be adjusted accordingly.

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two support rollers (101) extend transversely to the throughput direction (105).

3. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the centering finger (111) is arranged between the two support rollers (101).

4. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the centering finger (111) extends between a region above the conveying plane (204) and below the conveying plane (204).

5. The device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the centering finger (111) is arranged to be movable perpendicular to the conveying plane (204) such that a free end of the centering finger (111) is movable between the region above the conveying plane (204) and below the conveying plane (204).

6. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first centering unit (110) comprises a guide unit (112) which extends transversely to the throughput direction (105), and wherein the centering finger (111) is coupled to the guide unit (112) such that the centering finger (111) is movable along the guide unit (112).

7. The device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the centering finger (111) is drivable along the guide unit (112) by means of a linear motor (113).

8. The device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a floor guide unit with a floor guide (116) in the throughput direction (105) and/or a further floor guide (117) in the transverse direction (106).

9. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the centering finger (111) comprises a fiber-reinforced material, in particular a fiber-reinforced ceramic, in particular comprising silicon carbide, and/or wherein a free end of the centering finger (111) configured to align the metal blank (150) comprises a stainless steel material.

10. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first centering unit (110) comprises at least one further centering finger (114) which is movably arranged within the conveying (204) plane such that the further centering finger (114) is movable transversely to the throughput direction (105) in order to align the metal blank (150) in a predetermined orientation, and wherein the further centering finger (114) is spaced from the centering finger (111) transversely to the throughput direction (105) such that the metal blank (150) is arrangeable between the centering finger (111) and the further centering finger (114).

11. (canceled)

12. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the support rollers (101) for conveying the metal blank (150) is drivable in the throughput direction (105).

13. The device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a stop bar (103), which may be selectively moved into the conveying plane (204) such that the metal blank (150) is movable against the stop bar (103) in the throughput direction (105) to stop a movement of the metal blank (150) in the throughput direction (105).

14. The device (100) according to claim 12, wherein the stop bar (103) extends transversely to the throughput direction (105) and is arranged between the support rollers (101).

15. The device (100) according to claim 13, wherein the stop bar (103) is arranged to be movable perpendicular to the conveying plane (204).

16. The device (100) according to claim 13, wherein the stop bar (103) comprises silicon carbide.

17. The device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit (104), in particular an optical detection unit (104), which is configured for detecting an orientation of the metal blank (150) in the conveying plane (204), wherein the centering finger (111) is controllable based on the detection of an orientation of the metal blank (150) such that by moving the centering finger (111) the metal blank (150) may be moved into a predetermined orientation within the conveying plane (204).

18. A temperature control system (200) for controlling the temperature of a metal blank (150), the temperature control system (200) comprising at least one temperature control unit (201, 202, 203), the device (100) for aligning a metal blank (150) according to claim 1, wherein the device (100) is arranged in front of or in the temperature control unit (201, 202, 203) in the throughput direction (105) such that the metal blank (150) is alignable in front of or at least partially in the temperature control unit (201, 202, 203).

19. The temperature control system (200) according to claim 18, wherein the temperature control unit (201, 202, 203) is a cooling unit, in particular a contact cooler, and/or wherein the temperature control unit (201, 202, 203) is a furnace unit.

20. A method for aligning a metal blank (150) for a temperature control system (200), which comprises at least one temperature control unit (201, 202, 203) for heating or cooling the metal blank (150), the method comprising conveying the metal blank (150) within a conveying plane (204) through the temperature control system (200) by means of at least two support rollers (101) on which the metal blank (150) rests and is conveyed in the throughput direction (105) by means of rotation of the support rollers (101), and wherein the support rollers (101) are spaced apart in the throughput direction (105), aligning the metal blank (150) into a predetermined orientation by means of a first centering unit (110) having at least one centering finger (111) which is movably arranged within the conveying plane (204) such that the centering finger (111) is movable transversely to the throughput direction (105) and with a second centering unit (115) with at least one centering finger (111) which is movably arranged within the conveying plane (204) such that the centering finger (111) is movable transversely to the throughput direction (105) in order to align the metal blank (150) in a further predetermined orientation, wherein the second centering unit (115) is arranged at a distance from the first centering unit (110) in the throughput direction (105) and/or transversely to the throughput direction (105), wherein, in a floor in front of or in the temperature control unit (201, 202, 203), a floor guide unit with a floor guide (116) is arranged in the throughput direction (105) and a further floor guide (117) is arranged in the transverse direction (106), wherein the floor guide (116) in the throughput direction (105) and the further floor guide (117) in the transverse direction (106) have intersecting guide rails along which the centering unit (110) and the further centering unit (115) are guided accordingly in the throughput direction (105) or transversely thereto and are adjusted accordingly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Below, for further explanation and better understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments will be described in further detail making reference to the enclosed drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for aligning a metal blank for a temperature control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a temperature control system with different temperature control devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a stop bar of the alignment device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0041] Equal or similar components are provided with equal reference numbers in different figures. The representations in the figures are schematic.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a device 100 for aligning a metal blank 150 for a temperature control system 200. The device 100 comprises at least two support rollers 101 on which the metal blank 150 can be placed and conveyed through the temperature control system 200 by rotation of the support rollers 101 in the throughput direction 105 and within a conveying plane 204, wherein the support rollers 101 are arranged being spaced apart in the throughput direction 105. Furthermore, the device 100 comprises a first centering unit 110 having at least one centering finger 111 which is movably arranged within the conveying 204 plane such that the centering finger 111 is movable transversely to the throughput direction 105 in order to align the metal blank 150 in a predetermined orientation.

[0043] The metal blank 150 may, for example, have a homogeneous rectangular, round or elliptical shape. In practice, metal blanks 150 often have complex shapes. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, metal blanks 150 form corresponding stamped or otherwise cut metal plates that have complex outlines. In this regard, it is desirable for the temperature of different areas of the metal blank 150 to be controlled differently in a temperature control unit.

[0044] In this regard, the metal blank 150 is conveyed in the throughput direction along support rollers 101. The support rollers 101 in particular extend transversely (in the transverse direction 106) to the throughput direction 105 and may, for example, be driven. In this regard, the support rollers 101 are arranged being rotatable in corresponding bearing openings 102, which are, for example, provided in a housing of the device 100 and/or in a housing of the temperature control system 200 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 1 merely shows two support rollers 101 for the sake of better overview. However, corresponding support rollers 101 may also be provided in all or in most of the bearing openings 102.

[0045] In this regard, the centering unit 110 comprises two centering fingers 111, 114, which are opposite each other in the transverse direction 106 with respect to the metal blank 150 and are arranged so as to be movable within the conveying plane 204 (see FIG. 2). The centering finger 111 may thus be used to move and position the metal blank 150 in a predetermined orientation, in particular in the transverse direction 106.

[0046] The centering finger 111 is configured to be rod-shaped and/or pin-shaped. The centering finger 111 may have a coupling region with which it may be coupled to a drive device, such as the guide unit 112 mentioned below, and an opposite alignment region with which the centering finger 111 may be coupled to an edge of the metal plate 150 in order to move and align it in the conveying plane 204.

[0047] The conveying plane 204 forms the plane in which the metal blank 150 rests and within which the metal blank 150 is moved in the throughput direction 105. The conveying plane 204 has a perpendicular 107 that runs perpendicular to the throughput direction 105 and the transverse direction 106. The transverse direction 106 is correspondingly aligned at a right angle to the throughput direction 105. In other words, the throughput direction 105 and the transverse direction 106 span the conveying plane 204.

[0048] In this regard, the centering finger 111 may move the metal blank 150 in a first direction, for example along the transverse direction 106, until the metal blank 150 abuts against a stop or the further centering finger 114, so that the metal blank 150 may be aligned between two opposing centering fingers 111, 114.

[0049] Alignment of the metal blank 150 may be performed during continuous movement of the metal blank 150 in the throughput direction 105 by the centering fingers 111, 114 making short contact to align the metal blank 150. Alternatively, the metal blank 150 may be conveyed sequentially in the throughput direction. Thus, to align the metal blank 150, the conveying motion is stopped such that the metal blank 150 is stationary. In a next step, the centering fingers 111, 114 may move to a predetermined position thus align the metal blank 150 in a desired orientation.

[0050] The centering fingers 111, 114 of a centering unit 110, 115 are in each case arranged between the two support rollers 101. In the space between the two support rollers 101, the centering fingers 111, 114 can thus move transversely to the throughput direction 105, such that exact alignment is possible. Since the support rollers 101 are spaced apart and the centering fingers 111, 114 may have a narrow geometry, the device 100 according to the invention may be installed and retrofitted without changing the position of the support rollers 101.

[0051] The centering finger 111 extends between a region above the conveying plane 204 and below the conveying plane 204. In particular, there is sufficient installation space below the support rollers 101 such that the drive units of the centering fingers 111, 114 may be installed there. From this lower region, the centering finger 111, 114 may project into the intermediate space between the support rollers 101 into the upper region in order to adjust the metal blank 150.

[0052] The centering units 110, 115 each have a guide unit 112 which extends transversely to the throughput direction 105. The centering finger 111 is coupled to the guide unit 112 such that the centering finger 111 is movable along the guide unit 112. In this regard, the centering finger 111 may itself run within a guide groove as a guide unit 112 or enclose a guide rail as a guide unit 112. Thus, a robust movement mechanism may be realized in which the centering finger 111 is robustly guided along the transverse direction 106.

[0053] Furthermore, the opposing centering fingers 114 may be supported in the same guide unit (for example, a guide rail or guide groove 112) as the centering fingers 111.

[0054] The centering finger 111 is drivable along the guide unit 112 by means of a linear motor 113. The linear motor 113 may be, for example, an electric servomotor which drives the centering finger 111 along the guide unit 112. In an exemplary embodiment, windings may be provided along the guide unit 112 such that the guide unit 112 is configured as a linear stator and the centering finger 111 acts as a rotor of the linear motor and may be controlled accordingly in a targeted manner.

[0055] The centering finger 111 may be formed in a thin and filigree manner so that it can be embodied, for example, between small gaps, in particular between the support rollers 101.

[0056] In this regard, the centering finger 111 and the opposite centering finger 114 may be formed such that in the lower region below the metal blank 150 the distance between the centering fingers 111, 114 in the transverse direction 106 is smaller than a distance between the centering fingers 111, 114 in the transverse direction 106 in the upper region above the metal blank 150. Thus, shorter guide units 112 may be provided in the lower region, while wider metal blank 150 in the transverse direction 106 may be aligned by the centering fingers 111, 114 in the upper region.

[0057] In the throughput direction 105, a further second centering unit 115 may be provided, which is spaced apart from the first centering unit 110 in the throughput direction 105. The second centering unit 115 also has two centering fingers 111, 114 opposite each other in the transverse direction 106, which is arranged within the conveying plane 204 such that it can be moved, in particular in the transverse direction 106, such that the centering fingers 111, 114 can be moved transversely with respect to the throughput direction 105 in order to align the metal blank 150 in a further predetermined orientation.

[0058] Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a stop bar 103, which may be selectively moved into the conveying plane 204 such that the metal blank 150 moves against the stop bar 103 in the throughput direction 105 to stop a movement of the metal blank 150 (at a desired position) in the throughput direction 105.

[0059] The stop bar 103 extends transversely to the throughput direction 105 and is arranged, for example, between the support rollers 101. In particular, the stop bar 103 is translationally movable perpendicular to the conveying plane 204.

[0060] The position of the metal blank 150 is determined along the conveying direction 105 by the stop against the stop bar 103. The lateral alignment of the metal blank 150 is determined in the transverse direction 106 by the centering fingers 111, 114 engaging and aligning the side edges of the metal blank 150.

[0061] Furthermore, a detection unit 104, in particular an optical detection unit, may be provided which is configured for detecting an orientation of the metal blank 150 in the conveying plane. The centering fingers 111, 114 are controlled such based on the detection of an orientation of the metal blank 150 that these move the metal blank 150 into a predetermined orientation within the conveying plane 204.

[0062] In a floor in front of or in the temperature control unit, a floor guide unit is shown with a floor guide 116 in the throughput direction 105 and a further floor guide 117 in the transverse direction 106. The floor guide 116 in the throughput direction 105 and the floor guide 117 in the transverse direction 106 have intersecting guide rails along which the centering units 110, 115 may be guided accordingly in the throughput direction 105 or transversely thereto and may be adjusted accordingly.

[0063] For example, the centering units may be driven and controlled along the floor guides 116, 117 by means of a linear motor, which is arranged, for example, in the temperature control units 110, 115 and in the floor guide unit itself. A corresponding control unit may selectively control and adjust the centering units 110, 115 along the floor guides.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a temperature control system 200 with different temperature control devices 100, 100, which may be configured according to the temperature control device 100 of FIG. 1 described in detail.

[0065] The temperature control system 200 has one or more temperature control units 201, 202, 203 which are arranged, for example, one after the other in the throughput direction 105. The temperature control units 201, 202, 203 may, for example, heat or specifically cool the metal blank 150. For example, the metal blank 150 first runs through a furnace 201 as the temperature control unit in the throughput direction 105. Subsequently, the blank, for example, runs through a temperature-controllable mill stand and/or a rolling device 202 as a temperature control unit. Subsequently, the metal blank 150 may again run through a further furnace 203 as a temperature control unit. Accordingly, the metal blank 150 may subsequently also run through cooling device (for example contact coolers) as temperature control devices.

[0066] In this regard, the metal blank 150 may be conveyed continuously through a temperature control unit 201, 202, 203 or placed sequentially at predetermined positions within the temperature control units 201, 202, 203 and subjected to stationary heat treatment before further transport along the throughput direction 105 is performed. In this regard, the temperature control units 201, 202, 203 may heat or cool specific areas of the metal blank 150 differently. Thus, a predetermined heat pattern or cooling pattern may be applied to the metal blank 150, provided that the metal blanks 150 are aligned in a predetermined orientation.

[0067] As is shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible that multiple devices 100, 100 for aligning corresponding metal blanks 150 may be provided in the transverse direction 106. Furthermore, a device 100 for aligning corresponding metal blanks 150 may be arranged one after the other in the throughput direction 105. Furthermore, a device 100 for aligning corresponding metal blanks 150 in a temperature control unit 201, such as a furnace, may be provided. Thus, hot centering, i.e., centering of the metal blank 150 in the temperature-controlled state, may be performed. Likewise, a device 100 for aligning corresponding metal blanks 150 may be provided outside the temperature control units 201, 202, 203, such that the device 100 is not fully exposed to the temperatures in a temperature control unit 201, 202, 203. Thus, cold centering may be performed.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a stop bar 103 of the alignment device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The stop bar 103 is selectively movable into the conveying plane 204 (see FIG. 2) such that the metal blank 150 moves against the stop bar 103 in the throughput direction 105 to stop a movement of the metal blank 150 (at a desired position) in the throughput direction 105.

[0069] In particular, the stop bar 103 is controlled by drive units 301. Appropriate control connections 302 may be provided between the drive units 301 and the stop bar 103. For example, the control connections 302 may represent telescopically retractable and extendable rod elements. For example, the control connections 302 may be swivelably provided on the drive units 301 and the stop bar 103 such that the stop bar 103 may be placed above and below the conveying plane 204 by means of swiveling.

[0070] For example, the drive units 301 may be configured as linear motors in order to move the stop bar 103. Furthermore, the drive units 301 may be configured as pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical drives. For example, the control connections 302 may be hydraulically, pneumatically, or electromechanically retractable, extendable, or swivelable.

[0071] Additionally, it should be noted that comprising does not preclude other elements or steps, and one or a does not preclude a plurality. Moreover, it should be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numbers in the claims are not to be regarded as a limitation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0072] 100 Alignment device [0073] 101 Support roller [0074] 102 Bearing opening for support roller [0075] 103 Stop bar [0076] 104 Detection unit [0077] 105 Throughput direction [0078] 106 Transverse direction [0079] 107 Perpendicular of the conveying plane [0080] 110 First centering unit [0081] 111 Centering finger [0082] 112 Guide unit [0083] 113 Linear motor [0084] 114 Further centering finger [0085] 115 Second centering unit [0086] 116 Floor guide in throughput direction [0087] 117 Floor guide in transverse direction [0088] 150 Metal blank [0089] 200 Temperature control system [0090] 201 Temperature control unit/furnace [0091] 202 Temperature control unit/mill stand [0092] 203 Temperature control unit/further furnace [0093] 204 Conveying plane [0094] 301 Drive unit [0095] 302 Control connection