Wind Turbine Blade Demolding Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional manufacturing method for wind turbine blades is logistically challenging, costly, and quality-risk prone due to the need for multiple workstations, extensive tooling, and expensive molds, especially as demand increases and blade sizes grow.
Innovation Solution
A demolding system using a demolding tool with grippers and hinge devices that allows for the controlled lifting and separation of wind turbine blades from molds without the need for cranes or overhead lifting equipment, thereby reducing logistical constraints and improving safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing method with multiple workstations and overhead lifting equipment is used, then wind turbine blades can be manufactured, but logistical complexity and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing operations (demolding, lifting, and blade assembly) into a single integrated workstation. The mold itself is designed to function as both the forming tool and the lifting mechanism, eliminating the need for separate overhead cranes and multiple workstations. This merging of functions directly reduces logistical complexity while maintaining manufacturing capability.
2Weight of moving object
If overhead cranes are used for demolding, then heavy blades can be lifted, but safety risks and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the mold's closing force becomes the lifting force. Instead of using overhead cranes that require working under suspended loads (safety risk), the system uses the mold's own mechanical advantage and closing force to lift the blade. This intermediary approach transfers the lifting function from a high-risk overhead operation to a controlled, ground-based operation.
3Weight of moving object
If separate demolding and lifting equipment is used, then heavy blades can be handled, but equipment costs and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mold multi-functional by designing it to serve both as the forming tool and as the lifting mechanism. The mold's closing force, which is already generated during the demolding process, is utilized to lift the blade. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated lifting equipment, reducing equipment overhead while maintaining the capability to handle heavy blades.
4Productivity
If conventional manufacturing with multiple workstations is used, then manufacturing steps can be distributed, but space requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple manufacturing operations into a single workstation, thereby reducing the total factory space required. By integrating demolding, lifting, and assembly operations in one location, the system maintains manufacturing throughput while significantly reducing the spatial footprint compared to distributed multi-workstation approaches.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems for demolding a wind turbine blade (10). The system comprises a demolding tool (550) comprising one or more grippers (551) configured to grip the wind turbine blade (10), the wind turbine blade (10) being held in a blade mold (100). The system further comprises one or more hinge devices (300) comprising a static member (302) and a movable member (301), the movable member (301) being configured to be connected to the demolding tool (550) and being further configured to rotate with respect to the static member (302) about a pivot axis (304). The present disclosure further comprises a method (900) for demolding a wind turbine blade (10).