APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STEERING AN ENDLESS BELT

摘要

An apparatus (10) useful for passively steering an endless belt (12) toward a lateral target belt position while the endless belt (12) is transported by a transporting mechanism (16). A steering roller (14) contacts the belt inner surface (18), the steering roller (14) being rotatable about a roller axis (54) and being pivotable about a steering axis (56), and the steering roller (14) having a first roller end (50). A carriage (70) supports the steering roller (14) and is pivotable about a steering axis (56) such that the steering roller (14) is pivotable about the steering axis (56). A first member (61) is positioned adjacent to the first roller end (50) and functionally connected to the carriage (70). The first member (61) contacts the belt inner surface (18) when the first belt edge (22) extends sufficiently beyond the first roller end (50). The first member (61) applies greater friction to the endless belt (12) than the steering roller (14) when the belt (12) contacts the first member (61). The first member (61) is positioned relative to the steering axis (56) such that contact between the first member (61) and the belt (12) causes the first member (61) to apply a first torque to the carriage means (70) about the steering axis (56).