Belt Drive Unit With Switchable Teeth for Variable Bore Diameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing belt drive units for molding machines are not adaptable to bores of varying diameters, requiring complex manual interventions for switching between smaller and larger diameters, necessitating specialized operators for plate replacement.

Innovation Solution

The drive unit is equipped with interchangeable support plates for vertical teeth of varying diameters, controlled by a remote panel, allowing easy switching between smaller and larger diameter operations without manual disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drive unit uses fixed teeth for a specific diameter, then the driving function is reliable for that diameter, but the adaptability to different bore diameters is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving function reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different bore diameters

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support plates are made movable relative to the drive unit body through lifting and lowering mechanisms, allowing the teeth to dynamically adjust their position and engage with different bore diameters. This transforms a static drive unit into a dynamic one that can adapt to varying collar sizes while maintaining reliable driving function through controlled plate movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drive unit is designed with multiple support plates of different diameters that can be selectively positioned, enabling a single drive unit to perform multiple functions across different bore diameters. The universal design allows the same drive unit structure to handle both smaller and larger diameter collars by simply repositioning the appropriate support plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the machine is modified to accommodate larger diameter teeth, then larger bore diameters can be processed, but the complexity of manual plate replacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to process larger bore diametersVSAvoidcomplexity of plate replacement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical operation of removing and replacing heavy support plates is replaced with a controlled lifting and lowering mechanism. This substitution reduces the physical complexity and skill required for operator intervention, transforming a complex manual task into a simpler controlled operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting and lowering mechanism acts as an intermediary between the operator's command and the support plate replacement. This intermediary system handles the complex physical work of moving the plates, while the operator only needs to initiate the simple lifting or lowering action, thereby reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If specialized operators perform plate replacement, then the switching between diameters can be done, but the loss of time and productivity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching between different diametersVSAvoidtime for diameter transition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is designed to perform its own plate replacement through the lifting and lowering mechanism, eliminating the need for specialized operators to manually intervene. The system serves itself by automatically positioning the appropriate support plate based on the required bore diameter, thereby reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple support plates for different diameters are pre-positioned on the drive unit, ready for quick selection. The lifting and lowering mechanism allows these pre-prepared plates to be rapidly deployed without requiring time-consuming manual removal and installation, thus minimizing transition time between different bore diameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11530105B2Belt drive unit for a molding machine or bored fins, in particular for heat exchangers, with controlled adaptability to bores of different diameters

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 CEBI HI TECH

AI summary

A drive unit (4) of the belt (3) for a molding machine (1) of bored fins comprises a fixed front part (12) and a movable rear part (13) driven longitudinally with a forward and backward movement to and from the fixed front part (12). Both parts (12, 13) of the drive unit (4) include support plates (16, 31) on the upper surfaces thereof for vertical teeth (20, 35) with oblique top (22, 37) which protrude upwards under elastic thrust (24, 39) and are suitable for being inserted into corresponding bored collars (52) of the belt (3) downstream of a boring unit (2). The upper surfaces of each of the two parts (12, 13) of the drive unit (4) support at least a further support plate (17, 32) for vertical teeth (21, 36) of greater diameter, which is liftable and lowerable by a control panel (50).