Deformable Copying Roller for Wooden Panel Edge Rounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for rounding the edges of wooden panels fail to allow the copier to roll along the side surface of the panel and do not permit dimension variation, leading to incomplete machining and increased machining times.

Innovation Solution

A copying unit with an annular roller made of partially deformable material, featuring a supporting group that can modify its shape to ovalize the copier, allowing it to roll along the panel surface and adjust its dimensions, enabling it to move closer or farther from the edge as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the copier is made with a fixed circular shape, then the structure is simple, but it cannot roll along the side surface of the panel and cannot adapt to different machining requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to roll along panel surfaceVSAvoidstructure of copier
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The copier incorporates a deformable annular roller that can dynamically change its cross-sectional shape from circular to oval. This is achieved through a supporting group with movable portions that can shift position, causing the roller to ovalize and move its axis of symmetry away from the panel surface. This dynamic shape change enables the copier to roll along the side surface of panels while adapting to different machining requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the copier by allowing the annular roller to transform its cross-sectional shape. The movable portions of the supporting group alter the roller's geometry from a fixed circle to a variable oval shape, enabling the axis of symmetry to shift. This parameter change allows the copier to achieve rolling motion along panel surfaces while maintaining structural feasibility, addressing the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the cutter is positioned close to the edge for efficient machining, then productivity increases, but the risk of damaging the noble part of the panel increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of damaging panel surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable annular roller dynamically adjusts its shape to control the cutter's position relative to the panel edge. When the roller ovalizes, its axis of symmetry moves away from the panel surface, which in turn adjusts the cutter's positioning. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high productivity by keeping the cutter close to the edge when safe, while automatically increasing the safety margin when approaching the noble part, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting group with movable portions acts as a feedback mechanism that responds to the panel's surface geometry and position. As the copier contacts different portions of the panel, the movable portions adjust the roller's shape accordingly, which feedback-controls the cutter's position. This ensures the cutter remains optimally positioned for efficiency while automatically retreating when necessary to prevent damage to the noble part, resolving the productivity-safety contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the copier uses a fixed size, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot vary dimensions to adapt to different panel edges and machining requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimension variation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The copier is segmented into a fixed frame structure and a deformable annular roller with movable supporting portions. The fixed portions provide structural stability for easy manufacturing, while the segmented movable portions enable dimension variation. This segmentation allows the majority of the structure to remain simple and easy to manufacture, while only specific segments require complex mechanisms to achieve adaptability, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and dimensional versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by making only specific portions of the copier deformable and adjustable, rather than the entire structure. The annular roller and its supporting group are the localized elements that change shape and position, while the rest of the copier structure remains fixed and simple. This localized complexity achieves dimension variation capability without requiring the entire copier to be complex, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 the copier to correctly round the edges of wooden panels by rolling along the side surface and varying its dimensions, reducing the risk of damaging the panel and improving machining efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an annular roller (1), which can be deformed and which is capable of rolling along a surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of rollers (3), arranged between said supporting group (2) and said annular roller (1), which enable a relative rotation of said annular roller (1) with respect to said supporting group (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3842181B1Copying unit for adjusting the finishing of wooden panels surfaces and the like
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 SCM GRP
  • EP3842181B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a copying unit (U) for adjusting the machining of at least one surface and or one edge of a panel made of wood and the like for a woodworking machine, provided with a frame, comprising a support (S), which can be fixed to the frame of said woodworking machine, and a copier (C) installed on said support (S), wherein said copier (C) comprises an annular roller (1) made of a partially deformable material, intended to contact said at least one surface of said panel, and a supporting group (2), arranged within said annular roller (1), having a circular shape defined by external surface (20), and wherein said supporting group (2) is capable of modifying the shape of said annular roller (1) so as to ovalize the shape of said copier (C), moving said axis of symmetry (C') away from the surface of said panel to be machined, when said copier (C) is in contact with the portion of said annular roller (1) arranged opposite said support (S).