Adjustable Spacer Roller for Sanitary Article Flap Spacing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for producing absorbent sanitary articles face challenges in versatility and efficiency during size changes, as the mechanical linkage between components restricts flexibility and increases maintenance and setup times due to linked rotation speed and feed speed with the distance between lateral flaps.

Innovation Solution

A device with independent linear actuators for each carriage allows for adjustable spacing of lateral flaps, enabling flexible operation and easy setup by decoupling the movement of pieces from the conveyor speed, allowing for different sizes without modifying the kinematic mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical linkage (gears, gear wheels or cams) is used to connect the spacer roller to the conveyor roller, then the rotation speed and feed speed are synchronized, but the distance between lateral flaps cannot be adjusted without resetting the entire kinematic mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of distance between lateral flapsVSAvoidcomplexity of kinematic mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the previously integrated kinematic mechanism into independent segments: the conveyor roller operates independently, and the spacer roller with carriages operates independently. This segmentation allows the spacer distance to be adjusted without affecting the conveyor system, enabling versatility without requiring resetting of the entire mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical linkage system (gears, gear wheels, cams) with an independent carriage system that moves along the spacer roller. The carriages are positioned at adjustable distances from the axis and can be independently controlled, substituting the complex mechanical transmission with a simpler, more flexible positioning system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the entire kinematic mechanism is reset to change the distance between lateral flaps, then the correct spacing is achieved, but maintenance and setup times increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing precision of lateral flapsVSAvoidsetup and maintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the spacer roller system. The carriages can be positioned at different distances from the axis dynamically, allowing the spacing to be changed without resetting the entire mechanism. This dynamic capability maintains manufacturing precision while significantly reducing setup and maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables direct change of the spacing parameter by adjusting the position of carriages along the spacer roller. Instead of changing the entire kinematic mechanism's parameters through resetting, only the carriage positions need to be adjusted, allowing precise spacing control with minimal time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the rotation speed of the roller is linked to the distance of separation between tabs, then the feed speed is controlled, but flexibility for different sizes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed speed controlVSAvoidflexibility for different article sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the speed control function: the conveyor roller maintains its rotation speed independently for productivity, while the spacer roller with adjustable carriages handles the spacing function. This segmentation allows both feed speed control and flexibility for different sizes to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer roller acts as an intermediary between the conveyor roller and the application unit. It receives pieces at the conveyor's speed and translates them to the required spacing distance through its independently controllable carriages, mediating between productivity requirements and adaptability needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10470940B2Device for forming and applying at least one pair of accessory elements on a continuous band of absorbent material and machine for making absorbent sanitary articles comprising the device

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 GDM

AI summary

A device for forming and applying accessory elements to a continuous band of absorbent material, includes a unit for feeding a continuous strip to a conveyor roller, a unit for cutting the strip in a continuous and alternating succession of first and second pieces, a first and a second roller rotating about respective axes parallel to the first direction, each including a movement device acting along a circumferential direction around the respective axis and configured for imparting to each unit a respective motion between positions for picking up and releasing the pieces. A unit for applying a pair of pieces to the band is equipped with a separating unit equipped with a spacer device for moving first and/or second carriages along a separating direction between close and far axial positions, wherein the spacer device includes a plurality of linear actuators each associated with a respective first carriage.