Calibration Cage Radial Positioning via Rotating Polygon Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing calibration cages for blown film production face challenges in achieving precise radial positioning of rollers for tubular films across varying diameters, leading to accuracy limitations, complexity, and reliability issues, as well as problems with axial movement and oscillation prevention.

Innovation Solution

A calibration cage design featuring connection elements between roller-carrying rods that are rigid in the horizontal plane but have variable length, with a compensation mechanism using horizontal pivots forming half the internal angle of a regular polygon, and an axial adjustment mechanism with rotating female screws and sliders for precise positioning without external frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If telescopic rod or pantograph mechanisms are used for radial positioning of rollers, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller positioning accuracyVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex telescopic rod and pantograph mechanisms from the calibration cage structure, replacing them with a simplified system where rods are directly mounted on a rotating support. This removes the unnecessary complexity while maintaining the essential function of radial positioning through rotation rather than telescopic movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving rods radially outward/inward through complex telescopic mechanisms, the patent inverts the approach by rotating the entire support structure to achieve the same positioning effect. The rods remain fixed in length but change position through rotation of the support, simplifying the mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If rotating cantilever support with articulated quadrilateral is used, then roller orientation is improved, but mechanism complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller orientation accuracyVSAvoidcompensation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex articulated quadrilateral compensation mechanism entirely. Instead, it uses a straightforward rotating cantilever support where the rod's orientation is naturally maintained through the rotation geometry, eliminating the need for additional compensation components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating support structure serves its own orientation function through its geometry. As the support rotates, the rod naturally maintains the correct orientation relative to the tubular film without requiring separate compensation mechanisms. The system self-regulates through the rotation motion itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If complex mechanical mechanisms are used for radial movement, then positioning precision is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance access worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial positioning precisionVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex mechanical transmission mechanisms that blocked access to the space above the die. The simplified rotating support allows direct access while maintaining positioning precision through the rotation mechanism rather than through complex radial adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Stability of the object's composition

If external frames are used for axial adjustment mechanism, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial adjustment stabilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the axial adjustment mechanism directly with the calibration cage structure, eliminating the need for separate external frames. The adjustment units are integrated into the existing structure, providing stability while reducing overall complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration cage structure serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework, supports the roller-carrying rods, and integrates the axial adjustment mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external frames while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3265289B1Calibration cage for the production of blown films
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 SYNCRO CORP
  • EP3265289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3265289B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3265289B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A calibration cage for the production of a blown film comprises a supporting structure (1) and a plurality of frames (2) rotatable in the horizontal plane which are pivoted along the perimeter of the supporting structure (1) at the vertices of a regular polygon, each frame (2) carrying a vertical rod (3) rotatable with respect thereto which in turn carries at least one element (4) for guiding a blown film, each vertical rod (3) being connected to the vertical rods (3) adjacent thereto through connection elements (8) that are rigid in the horizontal plane yet have a length variable in said plane, each connection element (8) being pivoted between two horizontal pivots each of which forms with a vertical radial plane comprising the axis of rotation of the respective vertical rod (3) an angle that is equal to half of the internal angle (a) of said regular polygon.