Double Printing Mechanism with Independent Drive Motors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing units with multiple mechanically driven cylinders face challenges in achieving precise and efficient operation, often requiring complex drive mechanisms and additional structural support, which can lead to increased effort and vibration.

Innovation Solution

A double printing unit design where each printing unit is independently driven by separate motors, with a supporting structure that stiffens the side frame and allows for flexible arrangement of drive motors close to the cylinders, reducing the need for additional support levels and minimizing vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If multiple printing cylinders are mechanically coupled and driven by a single motor, then the drive mechanism becomes simpler, but the precision and independence of each printing unit deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive mechanism complexityVSAvoidprinting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The printing press is divided into multiple independently driven printing units, each with its own drive motor. This segmentation allows each printing unit to be precisely controlled separately while maintaining overall system coordination, resolving the contradiction between drive simplicity and printing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drive system transitions from a static mechanical coupling to a dynamic electronically controlled system where multiple motors can be independently adjusted and coordinated. This allows precise control of each printing unit while maintaining flexible adaptation to different printing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If drive motors are positioned far from the cylinders to simplify mounting, then the structural support requirements are reduced, but the drive efficiency and precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor mounting easeVSAvoiddrive reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side frame structure is extended in the longitudinal direction to provide mounting positions for drive motors close to the cylinders. This dimensional extension allows motors to be positioned optimally for drive efficiency while maintaining ease of assembly through the standardized frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the side frame is made more rigid to support multiple drive motors, then the vibration is reduced, but the weight and material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidside frame weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The side frame is designed with locally reinforced sections at the drive motor mounting positions and intermediate supports, rather than uniformly increasing the entire frame's thickness. This localized strengthening reduces vibration where needed while minimizing overall weight and material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If additional support levels are added to accommodate drive motors, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive motor mounting structure is merged with the existing side frame of the printing press rather than being added as a separate support level. This integration provides structural stability for the motors while avoiding the complexity and space requirements of additional independent support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2841278B1Printing unit with at least two printing mechanisms driven mechanically independently from one another, forming a double printing mechanism
Publication Date: 2016.01.13 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP2841278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2841278B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2841278B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printing unit (01) comprises at least one first printing mechanism (04) and a second printing mechanism (04) forming a double printing mechanism (12) with the first printing mechanism (04), wherein the first and the second printing mechanism (04) each comprise a printing mechanism cylinder constructed as a forme cylinder (07) with a first drive wheel (42) constructed as a gear wheel for rotary driving thereof and a printing mechanism cylinder constructed as a transfer cylinder (06) with a second drive wheel (41, 41') constructed as a gear wheel for rotary driving thereof. The two gear wheels (41, 41', 42) are straight-toothed and form a straight-toothed drive coupling between forme and transfer cylinders, which is directly or indirectly driven mechanically by a drive motor (38) independently of the drive coupling of the respective other printing mechanism. The drive wheels (41, 41') of the transfer cylinders (06) of the two printing mechanisms (04) are arranged in two lines (F1, F2) differing from one another and offset axially from one another, such that there is no tooth engagement between the two. First the drive wheel (42) of the forme cylinder (07) is driven, and thereby the drive wheel (41, 41') of the transfer cylinder (06) is driven, by the drive motor (38) via a gearwheel (37) directly or indirectly driven by the drive motor (38).