IP Library Granted Patent US 7,083,167
Granted Patent B2
US 7,083,167 · App. 10/785,212 · Granted Aug 1, 2006

Method and device for alignment of individually moved sheet-shaped materials

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,083,167
App. No.
10/785,212
Granted
Aug 1, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a method for alignment of individually moved sheet-shaped materials with two individually controlled frictional wheels (A, B), wherein the frictional wheels (A, B) carry out speed changes continuously during the entire process of the alignment according to a control function and in this way achieve a change from the state parameters input angle (φ in ) and input speed (v in ) of the sheet-shaped material, to the state parameters output angle (φ out ), output speed (v out ), X shift (x shift ) and Y shift (Y shift ).

Claims (22)

1. A method for aligning individually moved sheet-shaped materials comprising the steps of:

a) accepting the sheet-shaped material from a first transport unit using a first frictional wheel (A) and a second frictional wheel (B), wherein the first and second frictional wheels (A, B) are independently driven;

b) rotating the sheet-shaped material in a first phase in a first direction of rotation by controlling the angular velocities of the first frictional wheel (A) and of the second frictional wheel (B), wherein at the beginning and end of the first phase the angular velocities of the first and second frictional wheels (A, B) are about the same;

c) rotating the sheet-shaped material in a second phase in a second direction of rotation opposing the first one by controlling the angular velocities of the first frictional wheel (A) and of the second frictional wheel (B), wherein at the beginning and end of the second phase the angular velocities of the first and second frictional wheels are about the same;

d) delivering the aligned sheet-shaped material to a second transport unit.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of controlling the first and second frictional wheels as a function of one or more state parameters input angle(φ in ), output angle(φ out ), input speed(v in ), output speed(v out ), X shift (x shif t) and Y shift (y shift ) of the sheet-shaped materials.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the step of controlling the first and second frictional wheels is carried out for each individual sheet-shaped material.

4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the step of controlling the first and second frictional wheels is carried out using a look-up table.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of controlling the first and second frictional wheels as a function of the center of gravity of the sheet-shaped material.

6. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the input angle (φin) and the output angle (φout) differ by about 90°.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the frictional wheels (A, B) changes direction.

8. An apparatus for aligning individually moving sheet-shaped materials between an input transport device and an output transport device comprising:

a first frictional wheel (A) and a second frictional wheel (B) for accepting the sheet-shaped material from the input transport device;

drivers for driving the first frictional wheel (A) and a second frictional wheel (B);

a controller for controlling the first and second frictional wheels drivers to: a) rotate the sheet-shaped material in a first phase in a first direction of rotation by controlling the angular velocities of the first frictional wheel (A) and of the second frictional wheel (B), wherein at the beginning and end of the first phase the angular velocities of the first and second frictional wheels (A, B) are about the same; b) rotate the sheet-shaped material in a second phase in a second direction of rotation opposing the first one by controlling the angular velocities of the first frictional wheel (A) and of the second frictional wheel (B), wherein at the beginning and end of the second phase the angular velocities of the first and second frictional wheels are about the same.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the first and second frictional wheels are controlled as a function of one or more state parameters input angle(φ in ), output angle(φ out ), input speed(v in ), output speed(v out ), X shift (x shif t) and Y shift (y shift ) of the sheet-shaped materials.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein controlling the first and second frictional wheels is carried out for each individual sheet-shaped material.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein controlling the first and second frictional wheels is carried out using a look-up table.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the first and second frictional wheels are controlled as a function of the center of gravity of the sheet-shaped material.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the input angle (φin) and the output angle (φout) differ by about 90°.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein at least one of the frictional wheels (A, B) changes direction.

15. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the drivers are stepper motors.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2004
From: BARTHOLD, ULRICH
To: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 016001/0153 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2004
From: NEXPRESS DIGITAL L.L.C. (FORMERLY HEIDELBERG DIGITAL L.L.C.)
To: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Reel/Frame 015494/0322 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2004
From: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
To: HEIDELBERG DIGITAL L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 015549/0334 →