JP7754116B2 - Measurement method, measurement device, and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a measurement method, a measurement device, and a manufacturing method. For example, the present disclosure relates to a measurement method and a measurement device that measure the edge position of a strip, such as a steel plate, in order to control meandering of the strip in a process line. For example, the present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method that manufactures a strip using either the measurement method or the measurement device.

Conventionally, techniques for measuring the widthwise edge position of strips such as steel plates in process lines such as production lines and processing lines have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for measuring the widthwise edge position of strips that is less susceptible to noise and atmospheric influences, is easy to install, and causes little mechanical interference with the strip.

A conventional microwave method for detecting the edge position of a steel plate in a center position control (CPC) device, such as the technology described in Patent Document 1, is commonly known. In this method, microwaves are irradiated toward the edge of the steel plate, and the peak time of the microwave with the highest reflection intensity returning to the receiving antenna is detected as the edge position of the steel plate. Conventional CPC devices calculate the center position of the steel plate based on the detected edge position, and then perform meandering control to align the calculated center position with the center of the process line.

Republished Patent No. WO2006/048979

However, with conventional edge position detection methods, if the microwave intensity is greatest when reflected by an object other than the steel plate, the time at which this maximum peak occurs is erroneously detected as the edge position of the steel plate.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a measurement method, measurement device, and manufacturing method that can more accurately measure the position of the end of a strip in the width direction.

The present disclosure provides:
(1)
A method for measuring the position of an end of a strip in a width direction, comprising:
irradiating the end of the strip with electromagnetic waves;
detecting the electromagnetic waves reflected from the end of the strip;
a step of determining a reflected signal at the end portion included in the detection signal based on a plurality of threshold values for the detection signal obtained in the step of detecting the electromagnetic wave;
calculating a position of the edge based on the time at which the reflected signal is detected;
Including,
measurement method,
is.

(2)
In the measurement method described in (1) above,
The plurality of thresholds may include a first threshold for detection strength and a second threshold for detection time.

(3)
In the measurement method described in (2) above,
The step of identifying the reflected signal may include identifying the first signal waveform in the detection signal in which the detection strength is higher than the first threshold value and the detection time is longer than the second threshold value as the reflected signal.

The present disclosure provides:
(4)
A measuring device for measuring the position of an end of a strip in the width direction,
an irradiation unit that irradiates the end portion of the strip with an electromagnetic wave;
a detection unit that detects the electromagnetic waves reflected by the end of the strip;
a control unit that determines a reflected signal at the edge included in the detection signal based on a plurality of thresholds for the detection signal output from the detection unit, and calculates the position of the edge based on the time when the reflected signal is detected;
Equipped with
measuring equipment,
is.

(5)
In the measuring device described in (4) above,
The plurality of thresholds may include a first threshold for detection strength and a second threshold for detection time.

(6)
In the measuring device described in (5) above,
The control unit may determine, as the reflected signal, the first signal waveform in which the detection strength in the detection signal is higher than the first threshold value and the detection time is longer than the second threshold value.

The present disclosure provides:
(7)
A manufacturing method for manufacturing the strip using any one of the measuring methods described in (1) to (3) above and the measuring device described in (4) to (6),
controlling meandering of the strip in a process line based on the measured position of the end in the width direction of the strip;
manufacturing method,
is.

The measurement method, measurement device, and manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure make it possible to measure the position of the end of a strip in the width direction with greater accuracy.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a general configuration of a control system having a measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the measurement device of FIG. 1 . 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing executed by the measurement device of FIG. 1 . 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of processing executed by the measurement device of FIG. 1 . 10 is a flowchart showing a third example of processing executed by the measurement device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 10 is a first diagram for explaining the content of processing executed by the measurement device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining the content of the process executed by the measurement device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a third diagram for explaining the content of the process executed by the measurement device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram for explaining the content of the process executed by the measurement device of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the content of the process executed by the measurement device of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the content of the process executed by the measurement device of FIG. 1.

The following primarily describes the configuration and operation of the measurement device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a control system 1 having a measurement device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of the configuration of a control system 1 having a measurement device 10 according to one embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Figure 1 .

When manufacturing a strip S using the process line L, the control system 1 controls the meandering of the strip S on the process line L. In this disclosure, "process line L" includes, for example, a production line and a processing line. "Strip S" includes, for example, a steel plate. "Meandering" includes, for example, changing the position of the strip S moving from upstream to downstream on the process line L in the width direction D2 of the strip S, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction D1, with respect to the center C of the process line L along the conveying direction D1. As an example, the control system 1 controls the meandering of a steel plate moving from upstream to downstream on a production line for producing steel plate.

The control system 1 includes a measuring device 10, a hydraulic device 20, a cylinder 30, and a detection device 40. The control system 1 performs meandering control so that the center position in the width direction D2 of the strip S fed from the steering roll R is aligned with the center C of the process line L along the conveying direction D1. The meandering control performed by the control system 1 includes controlling the position of the steering roll R arranged on the process line L based on PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control.

The measuring device 10 measures the positions of the ends of the strip S in the width direction D2 to calculate the center position of the strip S in the width direction D2, which is necessary for the meandering control performed by the control system 1. In this disclosure, "end" includes, for example, at least one of the edges E1 and E2 located at both ends of the strip S in the width direction D2. As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring device 10 measures the positions of both edges E1 and E2, as an example. The measuring device 10 calculates the center position of the strip S in the width direction D2 based on the measured end positions. For example, the measuring device 10 calculates the midpoint between the positions of edge E1 and edge E2 as the center position of the strip S in the width direction D2.

The measuring device 10 controls the hydraulic device 20 based on PID control to align the calculated center position of the strip S in the width direction D2 with the center C of the process line L along the conveying direction D1. The measuring device 10 also functions as a CPC device that contributes to meandering control by the control system 1. The measuring device 10 acquires the position of the steering roll R detected by the detection device 40 as detection information from the detection device 40. This allows the measuring device 10 to identify the current position of the steering roll R. If the measuring device 10 determines that the calculated center position of the strip S in the width direction D2 is deviated from the center C, it changes the current position of the steering roll R to an appropriate position via the hydraulic device 20 and cylinder 30 to eliminate the deviation.

The measuring device 10 has a first antenna 10a and a second antenna 10b, which are arranged on either side of the strip S in the width direction D2. The first antenna 10a irradiates electromagnetic waves toward the edge E1 of the strip S and detects the electromagnetic waves reflected by the edge E1. The second antenna 10b irradiates electromagnetic waves toward the edge E2 of the strip S and detects the electromagnetic waves reflected by the edge E2. In this disclosure, "electromagnetic waves" includes, for example, microwaves.

The measuring device 10 has a controller 10c connected to the first antenna 10a and the second antenna 10b. The controller 10c controls the operation of each of the first antenna 10a and the second antenna 10b related to the emission and detection of electromagnetic waves. For example, the controller 10c controls each of the first antenna 10a and the second antenna 10b to emit electromagnetic waves toward the end of the strip S. For example, the controller 10c acquires detection signals of the electromagnetic waves detected by each of the first antenna 10a and the second antenna 10b.

The measuring device 10 has a control panel 10d that is further connected to the controller 10c. The control panel 10d executes various processes, such as measurement processing, calculation processing, and control processing. The measurement processing includes, for example, measuring the end positions of the strip S in the width direction D2 using the first antenna 10a, the second antenna 10b, and the controller 10c. The calculation processing includes, for example, calculating the center position of the strip S in the width direction D2 based on the measured end positions. The control processing includes, for example, PID control that aligns the calculated center position of the strip S in the width direction D2 with the center C.

The hydraulic device 20 includes any device that uses hydraulic pressure and drives the cylinder 30 based on a control signal received from the measurement device 10. The hydraulic device 20 drives the cylinder 30 based on the control signal received from the measurement device 10, changing the current position of the steering roll R to an appropriate position.

The cylinder 30 includes any operating mechanism that is operated by hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic unit 20. The cylinder 30 is mechanically connected to the steering roll R and changes the position of the steering roll R. The cylinder 30 operates based on the driving force from the hydraulic unit 20, which is based on a control signal received from the measurement device 10, and changes the current position of the steering roll R to an appropriate position.

The detection device 40 includes any device capable of detecting the position of the steering roll R. The detection device 40 outputs the detected position of the steering roll R to the measurement device 10 as detection information.

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the general configuration of the measurement device 10 in Figure 1. The measurement device 10 has an irradiation unit 11, a detection unit 12, a memory unit 13, and a control unit 14.

The irradiation unit 11 includes any irradiation source that irradiates electromagnetic waves toward the end of the strip S. The irradiation unit 11 irradiates, for example, pulsed electromagnetic waves. The irradiation unit 11 has a first irradiation unit 11a that corresponds to the component that irradiates electromagnetic waves in the first antenna 10a shown in FIG. 1. The irradiation unit 11 has a second irradiation unit 11b that corresponds to the component that irradiates electromagnetic waves in the second antenna 10b shown in FIG. 1.

The detection unit 12 includes an optional detection module that detects electromagnetic waves reflected from the end of the strip S. The detection unit 12 has a first detection unit 12a that corresponds to the component that detects electromagnetic waves in the first antenna 10a shown in FIG. 1. The detection unit 12 has a second detection unit 12b that corresponds to the component that detects electromagnetic waves in the second antenna 10b shown in FIG. 1.

The memory unit 13 includes, for example, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, or any combination of these. The memory unit 13 functions, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 13 stores information used in the operation of the measuring device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the measuring device 10. For example, the memory unit 13 stores system programs, application programs, and various data obtained by any means such as communication.

The control unit 14 includes a microcontroller, a processor, a programmable circuit, a dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor may be a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for Graphics Processing Unit. An example of a programmable circuit is an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for Field-Programmable Gate Array. An example of a dedicated circuit is an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The control unit 14 is communicatively connected to each component that makes up the measuring device 10, and executes various processes related to the operation of the measuring device 10 while controlling each component. In Figure 1, the controller 10c and control panel 10d correspond to the control unit 14.

Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing executed by the measuring device 10 of Figure 1. The flowchart shown in Figure 3 shows the overall flow of processing by the measuring device 10 that contributes to meandering control by the control system 1.

In step S100, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 measures the position of the end of the strip S in the width direction D2 using the first antenna 10a, the second antenna 10b, and the controller 10c. Step S100 corresponds to the measurement process described above.

In step S101, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 calculates the center position of the strip S in the width direction D2 based on the end positions measured in step S100. Step S101 corresponds to the calculation process described above.

In step S102, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 performs PID control to align the center position of the strip S in the width direction D2 calculated in step S101 with the center C of the process line L along the conveying direction D1. Step S102 corresponds to the control process described above.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing executed by the measuring device 10 of Figure 1. The flowchart shown in Figure 4 more specifically illustrates the measurement processing in step S100 of Figure 4. The flowchart shown in Figure 4 corresponds to a measurement method for measuring the position of the end of the strip S in the width direction D2.

In step S200, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 uses the irradiation unit 11 to irradiate electromagnetic waves toward the end of the strip S.

In step S201, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 uses the detection unit 12 to detect electromagnetic waves reflected from the end of the strip S.

In step S202, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 determines the reflected signal at the end of the strip S in the width direction D2, which is included in the detection signal output from the detection unit 12 in step S201, based on multiple thresholds for the detection signal. In this disclosure, "multiple thresholds" includes a first threshold for the detection intensity and a second threshold for the detection time. In this disclosure, "detection time" includes, for example, the time during which the detection intensity of the detection signal exceeds the first threshold.

In step S203, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 calculates the position of the end of the strip S in the width direction D2 based on the time at which the reflected signal determined in step S202 was detected by the detection unit 12.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a third example of the processing executed by the measurement device 10 of Figure 1. The flowchart shown in Figure 5 more specifically illustrates the processing of determining the reflected signal in step S202 of Figure 4.

In step S300, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 determines whether the detection signal obtained in step S201 of FIG. 4 includes a signal waveform whose detection strength is higher than the first threshold. If the control unit 14 determines that the detection signal includes a signal waveform whose detection strength is higher than the first threshold, it executes the process of step S301. If the control unit 14 determines that the detection signal includes only signal waveforms whose detection strength is equal to or lower than the first threshold, it executes the process of step S303.

In step S301, the control unit 14 of the measurement device 10 determines whether the signal waveforms extracted in step S300 with detection intensities higher than the first threshold value further include a signal waveform with a detection time longer than the second threshold value. If the control unit 14 determines that a signal waveform with a detection time longer than the second threshold value is further included, it executes the process of step S302. If the control unit 14 determines that only signal waveforms with detection times equal to or shorter than the second threshold value are included, it executes the process of step S303.

In step S302, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 determines, as a reflected signal, the first signal waveform extracted based on the determination processes of steps S300 and S301, whose detection intensity in the detection signal is higher than the first threshold value and whose detection time is longer than the second threshold value.

In step S303, the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 determines that the signal waveform is noise if at least one of the following conditions is met: the signal waveform contains only signal waveforms whose detection intensity is equal to or less than a first threshold value, and the signal waveform contains only signal waveforms whose detection time is equal to or less than a second threshold value.

The following describes in more detail the processing performed by the measurement device 10, primarily with reference to Figures 6 to 11. Figure 6 is the first diagram illustrating the processing performed by the measurement device 10 of Figure 1.

The control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 emits electromagnetic waves from the first irradiation unit 11a of the first antenna 10a shown in FIG. 6 toward the edge E1 of the strip S, and calculates the position of the edge of the strip S by converting the time it takes for the electromagnetic waves to be reflected by the edge E1 and return to the first detection unit 12a into a position. If the speed of light is c and the time it takes for the electromagnetic waves to return from emission to return is t, the position x of the edge of the strip S can be expressed by the following equation (1):

x=c(t/2) (1)
The time t is the time it takes for the electromagnetic wave to make one round trip between the first antenna 10a and the edge E1. Therefore, the time t is multiplied by 1/2 to calculate the position x of the edge E1 relative to the first antenna 10a as the distance of the electromagnetic wave's outward journey. The time t corresponds to the time when the reflected signal determined in step S202 of FIG. 4 is detected by the detection unit 12.

Similarly, the control unit 14 can also calculate the position of edge E2 relative to the second antenna 10b using the second irradiating unit 11b and second detecting unit 12b on the second antenna 10b side. For the sake of simplicity, the following description will mainly focus on the process of calculating the position of edge E1 relative to the first antenna 10a using the first irradiating unit 11a and first detecting unit 12a on the first antenna 10a side. The same description below also applies to the process of calculating the position of edge E2 relative to the second antenna 10b using the second irradiating unit 11b and second detecting unit 12b on the second antenna 10b side.

For example, as shown in (b) of Figure 6, when the width of the strip S is narrow, a portion of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the first irradiating unit 11a of the first antenna 10a follows path P1, is reflected by edge E1, and returns to the first detecting unit 12a. Meanwhile, other portions of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the first irradiating unit 11a of the first antenna 10a may be scattered by edge E1 of the strip S and propagate toward the second antenna 10b, for example, along path P2, in addition to path P1. In this way, when the angle of incidence of the electromagnetic waves with respect to the strip S is large, the other portion of the electromagnetic waves propagating along path P2 does not enter the first detecting unit 12a of the first antenna 10a and is not detected.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(a), when the width of the strip S is wide, a portion of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the first irradiating unit 11a of the first antenna 10a follows path P1, is similarly reflected by edge E1, and returns to the first detecting unit 12a. In addition, another portion of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the first irradiating unit 11a of the first antenna 10a may also return to the first detecting unit 12a, for example, following path P2. On path P2, the electromagnetic waves are scattered by edge E1 of the strip S, are further reflected by obstacles such as frame F surrounding the periphery of the strip S, and propagate toward the first detecting unit 12a. In this way, when the angle of incidence of the electromagnetic waves with respect to the strip S is small, another portion of the electromagnetic waves propagating along path P2 also enters and is detected by the first detecting unit 12a of the first antenna 10a.

Figure 7 is a second diagram illustrating the processing performed by the measuring device 10 of Figure 1. Figure 7 shows an example of a detection signal output by the first detection unit 12a in the case shown in Figure 6(a). The horizontal axis of Figure 7 indicates the position along the width direction D2 from the first antenna 10a. This position is obtained by converting the time from when the first irradiation unit 11a irradiates electromagnetic waves to when the electromagnetic waves are detected by the first detection unit 12a using an equation similar to equation (1). The vertical axis of Figure 7 indicates the detection intensity of the detection signal.

In the case shown in Figure 6(a), the detection signal output by the first detection unit 12a includes, as an example, two reflected signals: a first reflected signal S1 following path P1 and a second reflected signal S2 following path P2. In this case, if processing is performed to determine that the signal waveform having a peak with the maximum reflection intensity is the reflected signal from edge E1, as in conventional technology, the second reflected signal S2 could cause erroneous detection.

For example, the magnitude relationship between the peak intensity of the first reflected signal S1 and the peak intensity of the second reflected signal S2 varies depending on the width and geometric arrangement of the band S. If the peak intensity of the second reflected signal S2 is higher than the peak intensity of the first reflected signal S1, a position in the second reflected signal S2 that differs from the actual position of edge E1 of the band S will be erroneously detected as edge E1. In this case, the above-mentioned meandering control is performed based on the erroneously detected value, so the meandering may not converge but may instead increase.

In a water environment or dusty environment, the detection signal output by the first detection unit 12a includes, for example, a noise signal S3 in addition to the first reflected signal S1 and the second reflected signal S2. The noise signal S3 is obtained when electromagnetic waves are scattered or reflected by water or dust in a water environment or dusty environment. While the noise signal S3 normally has a low noise level, it may also occur as instantaneous noise with high detection intensity. The noise signal S3 may also be obtained when electromagnetic waves are reflected at a position other than the edge E1 that is the intended measurement target. For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, the noise signal S3 appears in the detection signal at an earlier timing than the first reflected signal S1 from the edge E1 of the strip S.

As described above, when the detected strength of the second reflected signal S2 and noise signal S3 is higher than that of the first reflected signal S1, a position in the second reflected signal S2 or noise signal S3 that differs from the actual position of edge E1 of the band S will be erroneously detected as edge E1. When the intensity of the electromagnetic wave reaches its maximum peak value from a position different from the actual position of edge E1 of the band S due to diffuse reflection or scattering of the electromagnetic wave, edge E1 of the band S will be erroneously detected as that different position.

The control unit 14 sets a monitoring range R1 and a mask range R2 for the detection signal output by the first detection unit 12a. The monitoring range R1 includes, for example, a position range or time range of the detection signal that is used as data for performing normal measurement processing to calculate the position of the edge E1 of the strip S. The mask range R2 includes, for example, a position range or time range of the detection signal that is clearly shifted from the position of the edge E1 of the strip S and does not need to be used as data in normal measurement processing.

For example, in the example of the detection signal shown in Figure 7, the largest reflected signal is obtained in the mask range R2. This is due to electromagnetic waves reflected by the wall surface of the frame F on the side of the second antenna 10b, which is located opposite the first antenna 10a, as shown in Figure 6(a). In principle, the mask range R2 does not contain information regarding the position of the edge E1 of the strip S, so the control unit 14 does not use the data in the mask range R2 even if such a reflected signal is obtained.

The above-mentioned erroneous detection becomes a problem in the monitoring range R1. Therefore, when other detection signals, such as the second reflected signal S2 and the noise signal S3, are obtained in addition to the first reflected signal S1 in the monitoring range R1, the control unit 14 must correctly distinguish these other detection signals from the first reflected signal S1 and accurately identify only the first reflected signal S1 from the detection signals.

The control unit 14 therefore determines the first reflected signal S1 at the edge E1 contained in the detection signal based on multiple thresholds for the detection signal output from the first detection unit 12a. Based on the multiple thresholds, the control unit 14 distinguishes the first reflected signal S1 from other detection signals that constitute noise and measures the position of the target edge E1.

Figure 8 is a third diagram illustrating the processing performed by the measurement device 10 of Figure 1. Figure 8 shows two waveforms, W1 and W2. Waveform W1 shown in Figure 8(a) represents, for example, a waveform obtained by extracting only the first reflected signal S1 from the detection signal shown in Figure 7 and tracking the change in the detected intensity of the first reflected signal S1 over time. Waveform W2 shown in Figure 8(b) represents, for example, a waveform obtained by extracting only the noise signal S3 from the detection signal shown in Figure 7 and tracking the change in the detected intensity of the noise signal S3 over time. The horizontal axis of Figure 8 represents time. The vertical axis of Figure 8 represents the detected intensity.

The position of edge E1 of strip S changes continuously along width direction D2. As the position of edge E1 of strip S changes along width direction D2, the distance from first antenna 10a to edge E1 also changes. Therefore, the intensity of the electromagnetic wave reflected by edge E1 and returning to first detection unit 12a also changes, and the detected intensity of first reflected signal S1 changes continuously. As a result, as shown in Figure 8 (a), waveform W1 based on first reflected signal S1 changes continuously.

On the other hand, in a water or dusty environment, electromagnetic waves reflected at positions other than edge E1 do not occur continuously, but occur from time to time. Therefore, noise signal S3 also occurs from time to time. As a result, as shown in Figure 8(b), the waveform W2 based on noise signal S3 is discrete and spike-like.

The detection strength of noise signal S3 due to water, dust, etc. is typically lower than the detection strength of first reflected signal S1. Therefore, control unit 14 sets a first threshold value Th1 for the detection strength. Using first threshold value Th1, control unit 14 can distinguish between noise signal S3, which has a low detection strength, and first reflected signal S1.

Figure 9 is the fourth diagram for explaining the processing performed by the measurement device 10 of Figure 1. Of the two waveforms W1 and W2 in Figure 8, Figure 9 shows only waveform W2.

It is conceivable that the detected strength of noise signal S3 due to water, dust, etc. may momentarily increase in some cases. In such cases, the detected strength of noise signal S3, like that of first reflected signal S1, will exceed first threshold Th1, making it difficult to distinguish between noise signal S3 and first reflected signal S1 simply by setting first threshold Th1. This can result in false detection based on noise signal S3.

Therefore, the control unit 14 sets a second threshold value Th2 for the detection time in addition to a first threshold value Th1 for the detection strength. Using the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2, the control unit 14 can distinguish between the noise signal S3 and the first reflected signal S1 when the detection strength increases. The control unit 14 determines the first reflected signal S1 only when the detection time, which is the time during which the detection strength of the detection signal exceeds the first threshold value Th1, exceeds the second threshold value Th2. As a result, the control unit 14 can clearly distinguish between the noise signal S3 and the first reflected signal S1. As a result, the control unit 14 can also suppress erroneous detection due to disturbances.

The control unit 14 determines as the first reflected signal S1 the first signal waveform whose detection strength in the detection signal is higher than the first threshold value Th1 and whose detection time is longer than the second threshold value Th2. In this way, the control unit 14 identifies the first reflected signal S1 based on the peak time of the electromagnetic wave that returns fastest among those that satisfy the conditions based on the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2. This makes it possible to ignore the influence of the second reflected signal S2, which is based on the scattering and diffuse reflection described above.

Figure 10 is a fifth diagram illustrating the processing performed by the measuring device 10 of Figure 1. The horizontal axis of Figure 10, like Figure 7, indicates the position along the width direction D2 from the first antenna 10a. The vertical axis of Figure 10, like Figure 7, indicates the detection intensity of the detection signal. (a) of Figure 10 shows a comparative example in which processing is performed on the detection signal output by the first detector 12a, such that a signal waveform having a peak with the maximum reflection intensity is determined to be a reflection signal from edge E1, as in conventional technology. (b) of Figure 10 shows an example in which the above measurement processing is performed by the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 according to one embodiment.

As shown in Figure 10, consider the case where two peaks appear in the detection signal. For example, of the two peaks shown in Figure 10, the left peak is a peak based on electromagnetic waves reflected by the edge E1 of the band S, and corresponds to the first reflected signal S1 in Figure 7. The right peak is a peak based on scattered and diffusely reflected electromagnetic waves, and corresponds to the second reflected signal S2 in Figure 7. As in Figure 7, two reflected signals are obtained in the monitoring range R1.

As shown in Figure 10(a), consider the case where the above-mentioned conventional technology is used for such a detection signal. In this case, if the intensity of the right-side peak is higher than the intensity of the left-side peak, the first reflected signal S1 is determined for the right-side peak, and the position of edge E1 is erroneously detected.

On the other hand, consider the case where the above-described measurement process by the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 according to one embodiment is used on such a detection signal, as shown in Figure 10 (b). In this case, the control unit 14 identifies the first reflected signal S1 based on the time of the peak of the electromagnetic wave that returns fastest among those that satisfy the conditions based on the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2. Therefore, even if the intensity of the peak on the right side is higher than the intensity of the peak on the left side, the control unit 14 accurately determines the left peak as the first reflected signal S1. The control unit 14 correctly detects the first reflected signal S1 of the electromagnetic wave reflected by the edge E1 of the band S at the left peak, and good results were obtained.

Figure 11 is a sixth diagram illustrating the processing performed by the measuring device 10 of Figure 1. The horizontal axis of Figure 11, like Figure 7, indicates the position along the width direction D2 from the first antenna 10a. The vertical axis of Figure 11, like Figure 7, indicates the detection strength of the detection signal. (a) of Figure 11 shows an example in which the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 according to one embodiment performs the above-described measurement processing on the detection signal output by the first detection unit 12a. (b) of Figure 11 shows a comparative example in which processing based on the first threshold value Th1 is not performed, but rather the position of the edge E1 is simply calculated based on the detection signal of the electromagnetic wave that returns most quickly.

As shown in Figure 11, consider the case where two peaks appear in the detection signal. For example, of the two peaks shown in Figure 11, the peak on the right is a peak based on electromagnetic waves reflected by the edge E1 of the band S, and corresponds to the first reflected signal S1 in Figure 7. The peak on the left is a peak based on scattered or diffusely reflected electromagnetic waves, and corresponds to the noise signal S3 in Figure 7. As in Figure 7, two reflected signals are obtained in the monitoring range R1.

As shown in Figure 11 (b), consider the case where the processing in the comparative example described above is used on such a detection signal. In this case, the position of edge E1 is calculated based on the detection signal of the electromagnetic wave that returns most quickly, so the first reflected signal S1 is determined for the left peak, and the position of edge E1 is erroneously detected.

On the other hand, consider the case where the above-described measurement process by the control unit 14 of the measuring device 10 according to one embodiment is performed on such a detection signal, as shown in FIG. 11(a). In this case, the control unit 14 performs processing based on the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2. Therefore, the control unit 14 accurately determines the right-hand peak as the first reflected signal S1, rather than the left-hand peak where the detection intensity is below the first threshold value Th1. The control unit 14 correctly detects the first reflected signal S1 of the electromagnetic wave reflected by the edge E1 of the band S at the right-hand peak, and good results are obtained. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the effects of disturbances such as water and dust.

The measurement method and measurement device 10 according to one embodiment described above enable more accurate measurement of the end position of the strip S in the width direction D2. The measurement device 10 distinguishes the first reflected signal S1 at the end included in the detection signal based on multiple thresholds for the detection signal output from the detection unit 12. This allows the measurement device 10 to distinguish a noise signal S3 with low detection strength from the first reflected signal S1 based on the first threshold Th1 and exclude it from the calculation process of the end position. The measurement device 10 can distinguish a noise signal S3 with high detection strength from the first reflected signal S1 based on the second threshold Th2 and exclude it from the calculation process of the end position. As a result, the measurement device 10 can prevent erroneous detection of the end position of the strip S due to electromagnetic waves returning from positions other than the end.

In addition, the measuring device 10 identifies the first signal waveform that satisfies the conditions for the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2 as the first reflected signal S1. This allows the measuring device 10 to distinguish the second reflected signal S2, which is based on a reflected wave other than that of the intended target, from the first reflected signal S1 and exclude it from the calculation process for the end position. Assuming that the reflected wave from the intended target end of the strip S returns via the shortest path, the measuring device 10 can distinguish this reflected wave from other reflected waves based on its speed. Therefore, the measuring device 10 can accurately detect the end of the strip S, which is located at the position where the path length of the electromagnetic wave is shortest.

While the present disclosure has been described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would be able to make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each configuration or step may be rearranged so as not to result in logical inconsistencies, and multiple configurations or steps may be combined or divided into one.

For example, the shape, size, pattern, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each of the above-mentioned components are not limited to those illustrated in the above description and drawings. The shape, size, pattern, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily as long as the function can be realized.

For example, a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or computer can be configured to function as the measuring device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing details for realizing each function of the measuring device 10 according to the embodiment is stored in the memory of the electronic device, and the program is read and executed by the processor of the electronic device. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

Alternatively, the present disclosure may also be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program executable by one or more processors to cause a measuring device 10 according to one embodiment to perform various functions. It should be understood that these are also encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the above embodiment, the multiple thresholds were described as including a first threshold Th1 for detection intensity and a second threshold Th2 for detection time, but this is not limited to this. The number and types of multiple thresholds may be configured arbitrarily as long as the measurement device 10 can perform the above measurement process. For example, the multiple thresholds may include three or more thresholds.

In the above embodiment, the measuring device 10 was described as identifying the first signal waveform that satisfies the conditions for the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2 as the first reflected signal S1, but this is not limited to this. For example, if it is clearly understood between the irradiation unit 11 and the detection unit 12 that the reflected wave from the end of the target strip S does not return via the shortest path, the measuring device 10 may identify the signal with the number corresponding to the order of the path length of the reflected wave from that end as the first reflected signal S1.

In the above embodiment, the measuring device 10 was described as measuring the positions of both edges E1 and E2, but this is not limited to this. The measuring device 10 may measure the position of only one of edges E1 or E2.

In the above embodiment, the electromagnetic waves were described as including microwaves and the like, but are not limited to this. The electromagnetic waves may also include any other wavelengths that can measure the position of the end of the strip S.

In the above embodiment, the measuring device 10 was described as also functioning as a CPC device that contributes to meandering control by the control system 1, but this is not limited to this. Instead of a CPC device, the measuring device 10 can also be used as a position detector based on the TOF (Time Of Flight) method.

In the above embodiment, the strip S is described as including a steel plate, but is not limited to this. The strip S may also include other strip- or sheet-shaped objects other than a steel plate.

In the above embodiment, the measuring device 10 measures the end position of the strip S moving from upstream to downstream on the process line L in order to control the meandering of the strip S on the process line L, but this is not limited to this. For example, depending on the purpose of the experiment, the measuring device 10 may also measure the end position of a strip S that is stationary and not moving in a specified direction.

1 Control system 10 Measuring device 10a First antenna 10b Second antenna 10c Controller 10d Control panel 11 Irradiation unit 11a First irradiation unit 11b Second irradiation unit 12 Detection unit 12a First detection unit 12b Second detection unit 13 Memory unit 14 Control unit 20 Hydraulic device 30 Cylinder 40 Detection device C Center D1 Conveying direction D2 Width direction E1 Edge E2 Edge F Frame L Process line P1 Path P2 Path R Steering roll R1 Monitoring range R2 Mask range S Strip S1 First reflected signal S2 Second reflected signal S3 Noise signal Th1 First threshold Th2 Second threshold W1 Waveform W2 Waveform

Claims (5)

A method for measuring the position of an end of a strip in a width direction, comprising:
irradiating the end of the strip with electromagnetic waves;
detecting the electromagnetic waves reflected from the end of the strip;
a step of determining a reflected signal at the end portion included in the detection signal based on a plurality of threshold values for the detection signal obtained in the step of detecting the electromagnetic wave;
calculating a position of the edge based on the time at which the reflected signal is detected;
Including,
The plurality of thresholds include a first threshold for detection intensity and a second threshold for detection time .
Measurement method. 2. The measurement method according to claim 1 ,
the step of identifying the reflected signal includes identifying, as the reflected signal, a signal waveform that is first detected among the detection signals and whose detection intensity is higher than the first threshold value and whose detection time is longer than the second threshold value.
Measurement method. A measuring device for measuring the position of an end of a strip in the width direction,
an irradiation unit that irradiates the end portion of the strip with an electromagnetic wave;
a detection unit that detects the electromagnetic waves reflected by the end of the strip;
a control unit that determines a reflected signal at the edge included in the detection signal based on a plurality of thresholds for the detection signal output from the detection unit, and calculates the position of the edge based on the time when the reflected signal is detected;
Equipped with
The plurality of thresholds include a first threshold for detection intensity and a second threshold for detection time .
Measuring equipment. 4. The measuring device according to claim 3 ,
the control unit determines, as the reflected signal, the first signal waveform among the signal waveforms in which the detection intensity in the detection signal is higher than the first threshold value and the detection time is longer than the second threshold value.
Measuring equipment. A manufacturing method for manufacturing the band-shaped body using the measurement method according to claim 1 or 2 or the measurement device according to claim 3 or 4 , comprising the steps of:
controlling meandering of the strip in a process line based on the measured position of the end in the width direction of the strip;
Manufacturing method.