Composite Strip Offcut Separation Using Orthogonal Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for separating and evacuating offcuts from composite strips often result in incorrect positioning of strips due to premature peeling of the support tape, leading to inefficiencies and reconditioning issues.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a rotary suction roller and a deflector mechanism that temporarily deviates the strip orthogonally, allowing the support tape to remain intact until downstream peeling, ensuring precise positioning and efficient removal of offcuts using a combination of suction and angular deflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the support tape is peeled early in the offcut separation process, then the offcuts can be removed more easily, but the positioning precision of the strips deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffcut removal easeVSAvoidstrip positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the support tape handling into two distinct phases: upstream transport where the support tape remains intact with strips for precise positioning, and downstream separation where the support tape is peeled only for offcut removal. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying different handling strategies to different sections of the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support tape is prepared upstream with strips already positioned and aligned before reaching the separation zone. This preliminary positioning action ensures precision is established before the peeling action occurs downstream, preventing positioning errors that would result from early peeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the strip path is kept rectilinear throughout, then the device structure is simpler, but the offcut separation effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidoffcut separation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The strip path is made dynamic rather than static: it remains rectilinear during upstream transport for simplicity, then dynamically deflects at an angle in the separation zone to enhance offcut removal effectiveness. This dynamic path adjustment resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and separation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The strip path transitions from a two-dimensional rectilinear path to a three-dimensional angled path in the separation zone. This dimensional change allows the strip to be deflected orthogonally, improving offcut separation effectiveness without significantly complicating the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the support tape is peeled upstream before the suction roller, then the peeling process is simpler, but the strip positioning accuracy deteriorates due to lack of guidance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeeling process simplicityVSAvoidstrip positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support tape with strips is prepared and positioned upstream before reaching the peeling zone. This preliminary positioning action ensures that strips are accurately positioned while still attached to the support tape, maintaining positioning accuracy even though peeling occurs later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support tape acts as an intermediary carrier that maintains strip positioning accuracy during transport. By keeping strips attached to the support tape during upstream transport and only peeling downstream, the support tape serves as a mediator that preserves positioning precision while still enabling eventual offcut removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures accurate positioning of strips to be kept and effective evacuation of offcuts without reconditioning films, enhancing the overall efficiency and precision of the offcut separation process.

Implementation Method 1

a suction roller (10) arranged transversely to said path and tangent to the strip along a line of action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2146828B1Device for separating and discharging trimmings cut in a pre-impregnated strip
Publication Date: 2013.05.29 FOREST LINE CAPDENAC
  • EP2146828B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention comprises separating the strippings (2') of a strip (3) of paper (1) and of a precut prepreg into strippings to be discarded (2') and blanks to be kept (2') using a suction roller (10) that is tangent to the strip (3) along an action line (15). In a downstream position, a device (24, 26) collects the blanks (2') on said rectilinear path, and a device (129 closer to the roller (10) discharges the strippings (2'). The paper (1) runs through the device along said rectilinear path while maintaining the blanks (2') thereon, and a strip (3) temporary diversion device (20), capable of orthogonal movement relative to the strip (3), temporarily diverts the strip (3) and brings it closer to the roller (10) in order to facilitate the initial peeling of the strippings (2').