Adjustable Pressing Cylinder for High-Speed Roller Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional material conveying devices, such as roller feeds, face limitations in cycle rate, flexibility to handle different material thicknesses, and structural efficiency due to long piston strokes and additional components like servo motors, leading to increased costs and material wear.
Innovation Solution
A pressing cylinder with a rotatable piston rod system that allows for adjustable piston rod length, enabling higher cycle rates and flexibility in processing various material thicknesses through a combination of rotational and translational movements, reducing friction and material wear, and incorporating a motor for automated adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard pneumatic cylinders with long stroke are used, then the structure is simple, but the cycle rate is limited to around 300 strokes/min
Solution Approach 1:
The piston rod is made dynamically adjustable in length through a rotational mechanism. The first piston rod element can rotate relative to the piston, changing the effective stroke length from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adapted to different operating requirements, thereby enabling higher cycle rates while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of piston stroke length from a constant dimension to a variable parameter. By rotating the first piston rod element, the stroke length can be adjusted between different values, allowing the system to optimize for high cycle rates (shorter stroke) or other operational needs (longer stroke), thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and moving object length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If servo motors are added to adjust rocker position, then flexibility for different material thicknesses is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piston rod assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the pressing force through the piston, enables stroke length adjustment for different cycle rates, and allows positioning adjustment for different material thicknesses. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate servo motors and rockers, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the piston rod, rocker positioning mechanism, and material thickness adaptation into a single integrated system. The adjustable piston rod length and positioning capabilities replace the need for separate servo motors and rockers, combining multiple functions into one component that reduces overall system complexity.
3Loss of substance
If long piston stroke is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but material wear increases due to larger friction surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The piston rod length is made dynamically adjustable, allowing the stroke length to be optimized for each operating condition. For applications requiring high cycle rates, a shorter stroke length reduces friction surface area and material wear, while still maintaining the capability for longer strokes when needed, thus reducing overall material wear compared to fixed long-stroke cylinders.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional components like servo motors are added, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable piston rod assembly provides multiple functions (pressing, positioning, adaptation to different materials) in a single integrated component, eliminating the need for expensive additional components like servo motors. This multi-functionality maintains adaptability while significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex components (servo motors, rockers) with a simpler, more cost-effective adjustable piston rod mechanism. While the piston rod may require periodic adjustment or replacement, the overall system cost is reduced by eliminating costly electronic control components.
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
The solution significantly increases cycle rates to over 1000 strokes/min, enhances processing efficiency, reduces material wear, and provides a cost-effective, structurally simple design capable of handling diverse material thicknesses, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of material conveying devices.
Implementation Method 1
the first piston rod element is configured rotatable relative to the piston; wherein a rotational movement of the first piston rod element causes a translational movement of the second piston rod element relative to the piston
Implementation Method 2
the piston rod comprises a first piston rod element and a second piston rod element which are configured such that a rotational movement of the first piston rod element causes a translational movement of the second piston rod element relative to the piston
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pressing cylinder for a material conveying device, in particular for a roller feed, comprising: a piston rod which is configured to engage with a movable component of the material conveying device; a cylinder space which is configured to at least partially guide the piston rod; a piston which is arranged in the cylinder space and which is connected to the piston rod; and a motor; wherein the piston rod comprises a first piston rod element and a second piston rod element which are configured such that a rotational movement of the first piston rod element causes a translational movement of the second piston rod element relative to the piston; wherein the motor is configured to cause the rotational movement of the first piston rod element.