Eccentric Roller Band Motion for Precision Cutting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cutting band material for electric energy accumulating devices, such as lithium ion batteries and capacitors, face challenges in achieving high precision and productivity due to the complexity and cost of equipment, limited stationary time of the band in the work station, and irregular band advancement.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that uses rotating tensioning means with eccentric rollers to create intermittent motion cycles, allowing the band to stop temporarily in the work station for precise cutting, while maintaining continuous motion elsewhere, enabling longer stationary times and regular advancement with adjustable parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If cutting means with reciprocating movement are used to achieve high precision cutting, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidcutting means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the cutting means reciprocatingly to maintain precision, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the cutting means stationary and moving the band through the work station. The band is fed continuously at high speed and stopped only during the brief cutting instant, eliminating the need for complex reciprocating cutting mechanisms while maintaining cutting precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical reciprocating cutting system with a controlled band motion system. Instead of mechanically complex reciprocating cutting tools, the system uses controlled acceleration and deceleration of the band itself, managed through tensioning means and control systems, thereby simplifying the mechanical structure while achieving the same cutting precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If band advancement speed is increased to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to motion disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveband advancement speedVSAvoidcutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by cycling the band through distinct phases: high-speed advancement for most of the cycle, followed by brief stopping periods for cutting operations. This periodic motion pattern allows the band to spend most time moving at high speed (improving productivity) while ensuring precise positioning during cutting moments (maintaining precision).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary acceleration of the band to high speed before the cutting instant, then maintains this speed during non-cutting portions of the cycle. This preliminary action ensures that the band is ready for high-speed traversal, allowing productivity improvement without compromising the precision required during the actual cutting operation when the band is stationary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the band is kept stationary during cutting to ensure precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to limited stationary time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidoperating speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining high-speed band advancement during non-cutting portions of the cycle. The band is continuously fed through the work station at high speed, with stopping only during the necessary cutting instants. This maximizes the proportion of time spent on productive high-speed traversal while ensuring precision during cutting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts band motion, transitioning from high-speed continuous advancement to brief stationary periods for cutting, then resuming high-speed movement. This dynamic motion control allows the system to optimize both precision (during stationary cutting phases) and productivity (during high-speed advancement phases) by adaptively managing band velocity throughout the operational cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach allows for precise and efficient cutting of band material with improved productivity, reduced perturbations, and the ability to vary operating parameters without structural modifications, ensuring high precision and cost-effectiveness in producing components for electric energy accumulating devices.

Implementation Method 1

rotating tensioning means (8, 10) coupled with the band (2), one upstream and the other downstream of the station (5), induce a band portion to perform cyclically a stop in the station (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP2861515B1Method and apparatus for working band material
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 MANZ ITAL
  • EP2861515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2861515B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2861515B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus are disclosed according to which a dragging device advances a band at constant speed, whilst a kinematic system makes a band portion, wait cyclically in a cutting station in which a side band portion is cut to form a shaped contour that is suitable for making elements that are destined to form an electric energy accumulating device. The kinematic system comprises two eccentric rollers that are coupled with the band and are rotated at a variable rotating speed with a periodic undulating pattern.