Corrugated Web Conveyor Pinching Nip for Operator Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current conveyor devices in corrugated board manufacturing lines, which use paired endless belts to lift and convey single face corrugated webs, are difficult to control and pose risks to operators, particularly during the threading process, as they can malfunction and cause injuries.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor device featuring a lower guide roller and an upper pinching and conveyance nip formed by a pair of independent, motor-driven nip members, with a threading device to facilitate the insertion of the single face corrugated web, eliminating the need for wide belts and reducing operator risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If paired endless belts are used to convey the single face corrugated web, then the web can be lifted and conveyed from the single facer to the bridge, but the device becomes difficult to control and poses safety risks to operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of conveyor deviceVSAvoidsafety risk to operators

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor device is segmented into separate functional components: a lower guide roller for web guidance and an upper pinching/conveyance nip formed by two independent rollers. This segmentation eliminates the need for wide paired belts, improving controllability and operator safety while maintaining the web conveyance function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful element (wide paired belts that pose safety risks and are difficult to control) while retaining the essential function of web conveyance. The dangerous belt system is replaced with a safer roller-based pinching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If paired endless belts are used, then the single face corrugated web can be conveyed, but the belts may malfunction and damage the web

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweb conveyance reliabilityVSAvoidweb damage from belt malfunction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance function is segmented into guidance (lower roller) and pinching/conveyance (upper nip), eliminating the reliance on wide paired belts that are prone to malfunction. This segmentation improves reliability and reduces web damage risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If an operator manually introduces the leading edge of the web between paired belts, then the web can be threaded through the conveyor device, but the operator is at risk of injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweb threading operationVSAvoidoperator injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the dangerous element (paired belts requiring manual web insertion) and replaces it with a safer pinching nip mechanism. The web can be threaded onto the lower guide roller without risking hand capture between wide belts, significantly improving operator safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lower guide roller acts as an intermediary element that receives the web leading edge safely, allowing the web to be threaded without direct contact with the pinching nip. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for operators to place hands in dangerous zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If large conveyor belts are used, then the single face corrugated web can be conveyed across the bridge, but the belts are difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweb conveyance capabilityVSAvoidconveyor belt control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance system is segmented into compact roller components rather than large continuous belts. The pinching nip formed by two small rollers provides precise control while maintaining effective web conveyance, eliminating the controllability issues associated with large belts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution provides safer and more controlled conveying of single face corrugated webs by eliminating the need for wide belts, improving traction, and reducing the risk of operator injury during the threading process.

Implementation Method 1

an upper pinching and conveyance nip formed by a pair of nip members in pressure contact with one another, at least one of said nip members being motor-driven. The pinching and conveyance nip is configured to pull the single face corrugated web upwards from the lower guide roller.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3599196B1Conveyor device for a corrugated web, corrugated board manufacturing line including the conveyour device, and method

Publication Date: 2023.01.18 GUANGDONG FOSBER INTELLIGENT EQUIP CO LTD

Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 1(C)~1(D)
Figure 2~3

AI summary

A conveyor device (100) for conveying a single face corrugated web (NS) on a bridge (41) is disclosed. The conveyor device comprises a lower guide roller (111), around which the single face corrugated web (NS) is guided. The conveyor device (100) further comprises an upper pinching and conveyance nip (119) formed by a pair (113) of nip members (115, 117, 118, 120) in pressure contact with one another. At least one of said nip members is motor-driven. The pinching and conveyance nip (119) is configured to pull the single face corrugated web (NS) upwards from the lower guide roller (111).