Dual-Mode Flatbed Laminator Roller Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flatbed laminators are limited by the length of the workpiece they can laminate, while counter-rotating roller laminators have no length restriction, but lack stability and pressure control, and existing technologies do not seamlessly combine these functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A dual-purpose flatbed laminator that allows for both flatbed and roller lamination, featuring a second roller that can be moved horizontally and vertically to adjust pressure and accommodate workpieces of varying thicknesses, with counter-rotating rollers for roller lamination and a locking assembly to prevent crushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional flatbed laminator with a single roller is used, then the workpiece can be positioned stably on the flatbed, but the length of the workpiece that can be laminated is limited by the length of the flatbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flatbed lamination system and roller lamination system into a single hybrid laminator. The second roller can operate in two modes: (1) as a flatbed roller that moves horizontally along the flatbed for short workpieces, and (2) as a counter-rotating roller that positions itself over the first roller for long workpieces to be fed through the gap between rollers. This merging allows the machine to handle both short and long workpieces with a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The second roller is mounted on a movable carriage that can dynamically reposition itself along the flatbed and adjust its orientation. For flatbed lamination, the carriage moves horizontally to roll the second roller along the workpiece. For roller lamination, the carriage positions the second roller directly over the first roller, and the roller can rotate counter to the first roller. This dynamic reconfigurability enables the system to adapt to different workpiece lengths.
2Length of moving object
If a counter-rotating roller laminator is used, then there is no limit on the length of the workpiece, but the workpiece cannot be positioned stably and pressure control is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flatbed lamination system and roller lamination system into a single hybrid laminator. The second roller can operate in two modes: (1) as a flatbed roller that moves horizontally along the flatbed for short workpieces, and (2) as a counter-rotating roller that positions itself over the first roller for long workpieces to be fed through the gap between rollers. This merging allows the machine to handle both short and long workpieces with a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The flatbed serves as an intermediary support surface for long workpieces during roller lamination. When the second roller is positioned over the first roller for counter-rotating operation, the flatbed continues to provide stable support for the workpiece underneath, ensuring proper positioning and stability even as the workpiece is fed through the roller gap.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the second roller is moved towards or away from the flatbed to adjust the gap, then the pressure can be controlled for different workpiece thicknesses, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second roller and its mounting carriage are designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple operations. The same second roller is used for both flatbed lamination (where it rolls along the flatbed) and roller lamination (where it rotates counter to the first roller). The carriage that positions the second roller vertically to adjust the gap is also used to position it horizontally for different lamination modes. This universality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A flatbed laminator is described that can be used for flatbed lamination and roller lamination of a workpiece. The flatbed laminator comprises a flatbed (4). The flatbed laminator also comprises a first roller (2) and a second roller (6). The second roller (6) is mounted to be movable over the flatbed (4) for flatbed lamination of the workpiece. The second roller (6) is movable on a frame to a pre-determined laminating position where the first and second rollers (2, 6) are mounted in parallel for counter rotation and define a gap (10) therebetween through which the workpiece is capable of being fed for roller lamination.