Adjustable Paddle Straightening Unit for Roll Product Changeovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roll product production machines require frequent and laborious manual changeovers for the straightening unit to accommodate various product configurations, leading to significant downtime and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A motorized endless drive system with adjustable paddles that can be quickly reconfigured to handle different product sizes and configurations, allowing for automatic adjustment of paddle depth and spacing to accommodate various roll product dimensions and orientations without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of paddles with different widths and lengths are used to handle various product configurations, then the straightening unit can accommodate all pack sizes and configurations, but the device complexity increases and manual changeover becomes more laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle width is made dynamically adjustable through a motorized extension mechanism. The paddle support structure includes an extendable arm that can be positioned at multiple discrete widths along a guide rail, allowing the same paddle to adapt to different product configurations without requiring multiple fixed-width paddle sets.
Solution Approach 2:
A single paddle design serves multiple functions by combining it with an adjustable support structure. The paddle can handle various product sizes and configurations through the motorized extension mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized paddle sets and reducing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual changeover of paddles is performed frequently to accommodate different product configurations, then the straightening unit remains versatile, but the loss of time and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle support structure performs the adjustment operation automatically through motorized actuation. The system serves itself by detecting the required paddle width and automatically extending or retracting the support arm to the appropriate position, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing changeover downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated motorized extension mechanism. The motorized actuator controls the paddle support position, substituting human labor with automated mechanical systems and significantly reducing the time required for configuration changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the paddle supporting depth is fixed, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to handle different product heights is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle supporting depth is made dynamically adjustable through a motorized elevation mechanism. The paddle support structure can be positioned at multiple discrete depths along a vertical guide, allowing the same paddle to accommodate products of different heights without requiring multiple fixed-depth paddle sets.
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A machine for the production of groups of roll products includes a second unit (5) for turning and grouping a plurality of product groups (4) and comprising: an endless drive system (6) mounting a plurality of paddles (7) protruding radially from the path line (P6) of the drive system (6); each paddle (7) forming, with the next one, a space (S) for receiving a product group (4) and turning it through at least a right angle (α); in the second unit (5) each paddle (7) consists of an element divided into an upper section (16), constituting a part that supports and pushes the groups (4) of products, and an open lower section, and means (17) are provided for adjusting the supporting depth (H7) of the product groups (4) on the paddles (7) according to the type of configuration, and act at least along an arc-shaped section of the paddle (7) drive path (P6) between the above mentioned product group (4) pickup area, where each paddle (7) lies in the same plane as the first unit (3), and the position of the paddle (7) when it has been turned through the above mentioned right angle (α).