Conveyor Web Size Adjustment Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems for manufacturing absorbent articles face challenges in selectively conveying webs of different sizes without requiring complex control adjustments, as the positional relationship between nip rollers and sensors can become misaligned when switching between web sizes.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a guide mechanism, detection mechanism, and drive mechanism that moves the guide and detection mechanisms together in the cross direction by an equal distance to adjust the passing position of the web's side edge, ensuring accurate alignment without complex control adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator and sensor are independently moved in the web cross direction to adjust web size, then the conveyor can convey webs of various sizes, but the nip rollers and sensor may become misaligned, causing erroneous rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator and sensor into a single integrated assembly that moves together as one unit. The sensor is fixed to the actuator such that when the actuator moves in the web cross direction to adjust web size, the sensor moves with it, maintaining a constant relative positional relationship. This merging prevents misalignment between the nip rollers (actuator) and sensor, eliminating erroneous rotation while enabling versatile web size adjustment
2Reliability
If the positional relationship between nip rollers and sensor is adjusted to prevent misalignment, then reliability is improved, but complicated control is required for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the sensor to the actuator as a single movable unit, the patent eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms to maintain alignment. The sensor and actuator move together automatically, maintaining their positional relationship without requiring complex control algorithms or additional adjustment mechanisms, thus reducing control complexity while ensuring reliability
3Ease of operation
If the sensor and actuator are separated in the web cross direction, then independent adjustment is possible, but the passing position of the web cannot be accurately detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor and actuator into a single integrated assembly that moves together. This ensures that the sensor maintains an accurate and consistent positional relationship with the nip rollers throughout the adjustment process, enabling precise detection of the web passing position while still allowing independent adjustment of web size through the actuator's movement
Data Source
AI summary
The web conveyor conveys a continuous web for L size or M size. The conveyor includes a guide mechanism changing a passing position of a side edge portion of the web, a detection mechanism detecting the passing position of the edge portion of the web, and a drive mechanism moving the guide mechanism and the detection mechanism together in the cross direction of the web according to the L size or M size, by being in contact with a first side edge portion and a second side edge portion of the web. The drive mechanism moves the guide mechanism and the detection mechanism by an equal traveling distance in the cross direction of the web.