Elastically Deformable Press Rollers for Flat Material Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for pressing flat materials, such as double belt presses, lack effective protection of press rollers from heat input, leading to potential damage and wear.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating elastically deformable press rollers with heat-insulating layers and adjustable heating elements that maintain consistent distance from the material, allowing for uniform heating and cooling, and using inductive heating with perpendicular magnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heating elements are incorporated to warm the flat material for pressing, then heating effectiveness is improved, but press rollers are exposed to harmful heat input causing damage and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidheat damage to press rollers
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the heating elements and press rollers. The cooling fluid absorbs heat from the press rollers through cooling channels, preventing direct heat transfer from the heating elements to the press rollers while maintaining the pressing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful heat effect is extracted from the press rollers by introducing separate cooling channels that remove thermal energy from the press roller structure. This separates the heating function (applied to flat material) from the pressing function (performed by cooled rollers).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Force

If press rollers are used to press the flat material, then pressing function is achieved, but heating duration is extended causing overheating and material degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing forceVSAvoidheating duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Cooling fluid serves as a mediator that selectively cools the press rollers during the pressing phase, allowing the heating elements to continue operating without overheating the material. The cooling fluid absorbs excess heat from the rollers, enabling longer pressing duration without material degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling fluid flows periodically through the press rollers during the pressing operation, creating cycles of heat absorption and release. This periodic cooling action maintains optimal temperature conditions throughout the extended pressing duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 improved protection of press rollers, extends heating duration, ensures homogeneous pressing, and reduces wear, while maintaining efficient heating and cooling processes.

Implementation Method 1

The cooling fluid can be fed through the at least one press roller in the transport direction viewed from above, between the heating zone and the exit of the flat material from the press roller pair, in order to protect the press roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

using inductive heating with perpendicular magnetic fields

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3887138B1Device for pressing flat material
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 AZL AACHEN GMBH
  • EP3887138B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3887138B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8
  • EP3887138B1 patent drawingFigure 9~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for pressing flat material, comprising means for transporting the flat material (15) in a transport direction and at least one pressing roller pair (9), which is stationary in the transport direction and acts on the flat material (15) on both sides, said device being characterized in that both pressing rollers (13, 14, 29, 34) of the pressing roller pair (9) or both pressing rollers (13, 14, 29, 34) of at least one of the pressing roller pairs (9) are elastically deformable in the radial direction at least at the circumference of said pressing rollers.