US 11,745,969 B2
Sheet space-detecting device, sheet space-detecting method, and sheet-welding method having a spacer that supports a rear end of a preceding first fiber reinforced plastic sheet and a front end of a following second fiber reinforced plastic sheet
Shotaro Suzuki, Tokyo (JP); Kensuke Hirata, Tokyo (JP); Yoshiyuki Wada, Tokyo (JP); Hironori Yui, Tokyo (JP); and Itaru Dairaku, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to IHI CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Appl. No. 16/769,460
Filed by IHI Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
PCT Filed Dec. 5, 2018, PCT No. PCT/JP2018/044704
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 3, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/111942, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2017-233606 (JP), filed on Dec. 5, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0188580 A1, Jun. 24, 2021
Int. Cl. G01B 11/14 (2006.01); B65H 7/14 (2006.01); B29C 65/02 (2006.01); B29C 65/78 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 7/14 (2013.01) [B29C 65/02 (2013.01); B29C 65/782 (2013.01); B29C 66/41 (2013.01); G01B 11/14 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sheet space-detecting device that detects a space between a rear end of a preceding first fiber reinforced plastic sheet and a front end of a following second fiber reinforced plastic sheet in a conveyance path for fiber reinforced plastic sheets, the sheet space-detecting device comprising:
a light-detecting sensor that projects detection light on an area including the rear end of the first fiber reinforced plastic sheet, the front end of the second fiber reinforced plastic sheet, and a reference surface exposed from the space and receives reflected light thereof; and
a spacer that supports the rear end of the first fiber reinforced plastic sheet and the front end of the second fiber reinforced plastic sheet in a state where the rear end and the front end are separated from the reference surface, in an area including at least a light-projected area on which the detection light is projected.