Brick Molding Centering with Floating Planes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing block-making machines face operational reliability issues due to transverse loads on centering bolts, leading to wear and alignment challenges, especially when producing shaped blocks with offset mold parts.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a centering system with floating planes that allow the stamping plate and mold cavity to move horizontally relative to the machine frame, reducing transverse loads and enabling smooth alignment without wear on the mold parts, and integrating a control device to manage floating plane activation and deactivation based on position and force detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a centering device with centering bolts is used to align the upper mold part with the lower mold part, then alignment precision is improved, but transverse loads on the centering bolts increase causing wear and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces floating planes that enable dynamic adjustment and movement of the mold parts during operation. The upper mold part can move horizontally on floating planes to accommodate misalignment, transforming the rigid centering bolt system into a dynamic compensation system that maintains alignment without transmitting damaging transverse loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The floating planes act as intermediary elements between the mold parts and the machine frame. These intermediaries absorb misalignment through controlled movement, preventing direct transmission of transverse loads to the centering bolts while maintaining the alignment function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional rigid centering systems are used, then alignment is achieved, but wear on the mold parts increases reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovealignmentVSAvoidmold service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing floating planes that allow horizontal movement, the system transforms from a rigid wear-inducing connection to a dynamic low-friction connection. The mold parts can adjust their position smoothly without springing back, minimizing contact wear and extending service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the stamping plate and mold cavity are rigidly fixed, then structural stability is maintained, but misalignment causes transverse loads and operational issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The floating planes provide controlled degrees of freedom that allow the stamping plate and mold cavity to adjust their relative positions dynamically. This maintains structural stability during operation while accommodating misalignment through smooth horizontal movement, preventing damaging transverse loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2262628B1Installation for producing moulded bricks
Publication Date: 2014.03.05 RAMPF FORMEN GMBH
  • EP2262628B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2262628B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2262628B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an installation (1) for producing moulded bricks (4), comprising a centering device (23). The installation (1) comprises at least one approximately horizontal waterline plane (29) in which the die plate (20) and/or the mould cavity (25) can be displaced relative to a machine frame (5) of the installation (1), wherein the displacement can be controlled by the centering device (23).