Decurling Roller Supported by Main Rollers for Paper Web
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decurling devices for web materials, such as paper, are complex, expensive, and inefficient due to the need for multiple adjustable rollers and conveyor belts, leading to uneven decurling and potential material damage from speed differences.
Innovation Solution
A device with a decurling roller of larger diameter than the spacing between two main rollers, supported by these rollers via web tension, allowing for smaller diameter decurling without bending and ensuring even decurling across the web width, combined with a conveyor belt for controlled tension and autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a smaller diameter decurling roller is used to improve decurling efficiency, then the decurling effect is enhanced, but the roller bends more easily under web tension causing uneven decurling across the web width
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a horizontal roller arrangement to a vertical arrangement where the decurling roller is positioned between two main rollers in the vertical direction. This dimensional change allows the roller to be supported at multiple points (top and bottom), preventing bending under tension and enabling the use of smaller diameter rollers for improved decurling efficiency while maintaining uniformity across the web width.
2Productivity
If multiple conveyor belts and adjustable rollers are used to achieve decurling, then decurling function is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple rollers and conveyor belts into a simplified system with only two main rollers and one decurling roller. The decurling function is achieved by the interaction between these three rollers alone, eliminating the need for separate conveyor belts and multiple adjustable rollers, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining effective decurling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the unnecessary components (multiple conveyor belts and adjustable rollers) from the traditional decurling device, retaining only the essential elements (two main rollers and one decurling roller) needed to achieve the decurling function. This simplification reduces complexity while preserving the core functionality.
3Productivity
If two conveyor belts are used to transport the web, then decurling is achieved, but speed differences between belts and web can damage the material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the conveyor belts from the system entirely, relying instead on the friction and contact between the web and the three rollers to transport and decurve the material. This elimination of conveyor belts eliminates the source of speed differences that caused web damage, while the roller system provides gentle, controlled decurling without the harmful effects of belt speed variations.
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
Enables efficient decurling of wide webs with improved leading edge handling and reduced risk of material damage, allowing for autonomous operation and precise control of the decurling process.
Implementation Method 1
the decurling roller can be pulled against the two main rollers, by tensioning the web of material
Implementation Method 2
The driven roller typically will pull the web of material through the device
Implementation Method 3
the conveyor belt will provide for the necessary support. When the web of material is too fragile to take up the tension necessary to pull the material through the device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for decurling a web of material, such as a paper web (P), which device comprises: - a first main roller (2); - a second main roller (3) arranged parallel to and at a distance of the first main roller (2), wherein the first main roller (2) and the second main roller (3) are arranged in a main plain (4); and - a decurling roller (5) arranged parallel to and between the first and second main roller (2, 3), when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main plain (4), wherein the spacing (S) between the first main roller (2) and the second roller (3) is smaller than the diameter (D) of the decurling roller (5).