Adjustable Roller Assembly Using Segmented Spacer Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller arrangements face challenges in maintaining precise axial spacing between rollers, leading to complex and inaccurate adjustments, especially during product changes or wear, which increases setup times and risks over-embossing or inadequate embossing.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a roller arrangement with adjustable spacer blocks of varying heights, mounted on a common adjustment plate that can be rotated or displaced to set the desired axial distance between rollers, allowing for quick and precise adjustments by selecting the appropriate spacer block for contact with the bearing jewels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional riving knife adjustment with wedge or threaded bolt is used, then the roller gap can be adjusted, but the adjustment is complex and prone to setting changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment operationVSAvoidadjustment device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device is segmented into multiple independent spacer blocks with different heights, each representing a specific axial distance setting. This segmentation allows discrete, predefined adjustment positions that are easier to operate and less prone to error compared to continuous adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Spacer blocks serve as intermediary elements between the bearing jewels to establish and maintain the axial distance. These spacer blocks act as mediators that translate the adjustment intent into precise physical spacing, eliminating the need for complex threaded bolts or wedges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional adjustment devices are used, then the roller gap can be changed, but changing the embossing gap is complex and increases setup time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup timeVSAvoidadjustment procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple spacer blocks with different heights are prepared in advance and mounted on the adjustment plate. This preliminary preparation of adjustment components allows for rapid switching between different embossing gap settings during product changes without requiring complex adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment plate can be dynamically repositioned or rotated to select different spacer blocks, enabling quick changes in the embossing gap setting. This dynamic reconfiguration capability reduces setup time compared to static adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If spacer blocks with different heights are used on a common adjustment plate, then the axial distance can be quickly and accurately adjusted, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial distance setting accuracyVSAvoidadjustment device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each spacer block is designed with a specific local quality - a predetermined height corresponding to a specific axial distance requirement. This local differentiation of spacer block heights enables precise axial distance settings while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure based on a common adjustment plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2047974B1Roller assembly
Publication Date: 2010.04.07 UNIMATEC PRAGEWALZEN & MASCHBAUU
  • EP2047974B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2047974B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2047974B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The roller arrangement comprises two rollers, which are rotatably stored in carrier blocks (2,3). An adjusting unit (1) is provided between the carrier blocks at both sides of the rollers, by which the rollers are adjustable to each other in its axial distance (AS). The adjusting unit comprises multiple distance blocks (101a,101b), which have different heights (H) from each other. The distance blocks are arranged on a common adjusting plate (100).