Adjustable Pressure Cylinder for High-Speed Roller Feed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure cylinders for material conveying devices, such as roller feeders, have limitations including low cycle rates, inflexibility in handling different strip material thicknesses, high material wear, and high costs due to complex designs with additional components like servo motors.
Innovation Solution
A pressure cylinder with a rotatable first piston rod element that allows for adjustable piston rod length through translational movement, facilitated by a motor or pneumatic operation, enabling short stroke lengths and flexible adjustment to accommodate various strip materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional pressure cylinders with long stroke are used, then they can handle various strip material thicknesses, 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 telescopic mechanism with first and second rod sections that can extend and retract relative to each other. This allows the cylinder to adapt its stroke length dynamically - using short stroke for high-speed cycling and extending to longer stroke when thicker strip materials need to be handled, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of piston rod length from a fixed value to a variable value. By providing a mechanism to adjust the length of the piston rod between minimum and maximum positions, the system can optimize performance for different operating conditions - high cycle rates when maximum speed is needed, and extended stroke when material thickness requires it
2Loss of substance
If standard pneumatic cylinders with long stroke are used, then they can accommodate different materials, but material wear increases due to larger friction surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic piston rod allows the friction surface area to be dynamic rather than static. When processing thinner materials, the rod retracts to minimum length, reducing the friction surface area and material wear. When thicker materials are processed, the rod extends to provide necessary stroke length. This dynamic adjustment directly addresses the contradiction between minimizing material wear and maintaining adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If servo motors are added to adjust rocker arm position for different materials, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the adjustment function directly into the pressure cylinder itself by making the piston rod telescopic. This integrates the adaptability mechanism within the existing cylinder structure rather than adding separate servo motors and rockers. The single integrated solution reduces device complexity while achieving the same adaptability goal
4Productivity
If conventional pressure cylinders are used, then the structure is simple, but the cycle rate is limited due to long stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The piston rod is segmented into first and second rod sections that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mechanism to achieve variable length through simple telescopic action rather than complex adjustments. The segmented design maintains relative structural simplicity while enabling high cycle rates through short stroke operation
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 achieves cycle rates of up to 2000 strokes per minute, reduces material wear, and lowers costs by allowing a single cylinder to handle diverse materials efficiently and simply, with automated adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the piston rod comprises a first piston rod element and a second piston rod element configured such that a rotary movement of the first piston rod element causes a translational movement of the second piston rod element relative to the piston
Implementation Method 2
a rotary movement of the first piston rod element causes a translational movement of the second piston rod element relative to the piston
Implementation Method 3
A motor is configured to generate a force for rotating the first piston rod element
Implementation Method 4
pressure cylinders are intended to apply a contact pressure to a roller, for example, the upper roller
Implementation Method 5
This lifting is achieved, for example, by moving a piston upwards within the cylinder, which in turn moves the rocker arm and the upper roller upwards
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pressure cylinder for a material conveying device, in particular for a roller feed, comprising: a piston rod configured to engage with a movable component of the material conveying device; a cylinder chamber configured to guide the piston rod at least partially; a piston arranged in the cylinder chamber and connected to the piston rod; wherein the piston rod comprises a first piston rod element and a second piston rod element configured such that a rotary movement of the first piston rod element causes a translational movement of the second piston rod element relative to the piston; wherein the first piston rod element is rotatably arranged relative to the piston.