Adjustable Diverting Element for Blown Film Liquid Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for film tubes struggle to reliably remove liquid from the outer surface, especially when the film tube dimensions change, leading to reduced suction effectiveness and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The diverting element is arranged below the film guide element, allowing for adjustable distance from the film tube's main axis, with overlapping segments to ensure complete liquid removal, and includes features like suction, blowing, or evaporation mechanisms to manage liquid effectively, along with a liquid level control system and optional processing devices to ensure cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed suction device is used for removing liquid from the film tube, then the device structure is simple, but the liquid removal effectiveness decreases when film tube dimensions change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidliquid removal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device incorporates movable diverting elements that can be adjusted radially to adapt to different film tube diameters. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the suction device to maintain effective liquid removal across varying operating conditions while preserving a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The distance between the diverting element and the film tube can be changed to optimize liquid removal effectiveness. By adjusting this parameter, the system adapts to different film tube dimensions and maintains reliable liquid removal without requiring complete redesign of the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the diverting element is positioned far from the film tube to accommodate larger diameters, then the device becomes more adaptable, but liquid removal effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different diametersVSAvoidliquid removal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diverting element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling it to change its radial position. This allows the system to maintain optimal proximity to the film tube for effective liquid removal while accommodating variations in film tube diameter through adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The suction device can be divided into multiple segments or zones, with each diverting element independently adjustable. This segmentation allows different parts of the device to adapt to local variations in film tube diameter while maintaining overall liquid removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple diverting elements are used to ensure complete liquid removal, then liquid removal effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete liquid removalVSAvoidnumber of diverting elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device is segmented into multiple diverting elements arranged circumferentially, with each element responsible for a specific sector. This segmentation enables complete liquid removal coverage while keeping each individual element relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each diverting element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a structural support and as an active liquid diversion component. This reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures reliable liquid removal from the film tube's outer surface, even with changes in dimensions, minimizing damage and maintaining the film tube's integrity while optimizing cooling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a suction device for suctioning off the cooling liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

an inner surface which comprises a liquid-permeable element. On the one hand, this sucks out the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

The film tube is then cooled and calibrated so that it has a uniform diameter. In order to achieve certain properties, the film tube can be cooled particularly quickly with a liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3302929B1Device and method for calibrating a blown film
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER GMBH
  • EP3302929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3302929B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3302929B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for calibrating a blown film (6), said device comprising: a tubular region with at least one inner wall (55), through which region the blown film can be passed; a liquid reservoir (82), which can be used to provide a liquid and which is situated above the tubular region, the liquid being guidable between the inner wall (55) and the blown film; and a suctioning device (B), situated below the tubular region, for suctioning off at least part of the liquid from the blown film. At least one liquid-permeable element (92) is provided, said element surrounding at least parts of the periphery of the blown film (6). This device permits the distance of the liquid-permeable element from the main axis of the blown film to be altered.