Direct-Drive Strip Reel With Axial Rotor for Compact Torque Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reels for winding or unwinding strip-shaped materials require significant space and are individually manufactured for specific applications, making them costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A reel design featuring a torque motor or synchronous motor with an axially displaceable rotor, eliminating the need for a gearbox and allowing for a modular electric motor construction with interchangeable ring packs to adjust power output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a conventional reel design with gearbox and intermediate components is used, then the torque can be transmitted to the reel head, but the installation space required is large and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the gearbox and intermediate shaft from the drive train, creating a direct connection between the electric motor and reel head. This eliminates unnecessary components while maintaining torque transmission capability, thereby reducing installation space and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the electric motor directly with the reel head by connecting the rotor shaft directly to the reel head, eliminating the need for separate gearbox and coupling components. This integration reduces the overall footprint and simplifies the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional reels are individually manufactured for specific applications, then the drive train can be optimized for each application, but the manufacturing cost increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomized optimizationVSAvoidapplication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal reel design where the electric motor can be directly connected to the reel head through a standardized interface. The modular design allows the same basic structure to serve multiple applications by simply changing the motor power rating or reel head configuration, eliminating the need for completely customized designs for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the reel into modular components (electric motor, reel head, frame) that can be independently selected and combined. This modular architecture allows for easy adaptation to different applications by swapping components rather than redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the electric motor is directly connected to the reel head without a gearbox, then the installation space is reduced, but the motor must generate higher torque directly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidmotor torque requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the motor selection parameters by choosing motors specifically designed for direct-drive applications with high torque density. By selecting appropriate motor types (such as servo motors or torque motors) that are optimized for direct connection, the system achieves the required torque output without needing a gearbox to multiply torque.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces the installation space required, lowers manufacturing costs, and enables energy-efficient operation by eliminating unnecessary components and allowing for easy adjustment of power output.

Implementation Method 1

the electric motor is formed with a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator surrounds the rotor. The stator is formed from a winding package with a plurality of windings and surrounds the rotor, wherein the rotor is formed from a ring package with a plurality of rings, each with magnets on a circumference of the respective ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4281231B1Reel for winding or unwinding material in strip form, and method
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 ACHENBACH BUSCHHITTEN GMBH
  • EP4281231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4281231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4281231B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a reel (10) for winding or unwinding material in strip form, in particular a metal strip or the like, and to a method for tensioning a coil (12), the reel comprising a frame (13), at least one reel head (14) for arranging the the coil for winding or unwinding material (11), a drive assembly (15) with at least one electric motor (16), and a shaft (20) connecting the electric motor to the reel head, the electric motor being formed with a stator (17) and with a rotor (18) and being arranged on the frame, the electric motor being a torque motor or synchronous motor, the shaft connecting the rotor directly to the reel head, the rotor being mounted on the stator so as to be axially displaceable relative to the stator.