Elastic Tubular Diameter Adjusting Device for Aerosol Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing aerosol forming articles, such as tobacco sticks, face challenges in maintaining consistent firmness and cylindrical shape without production interruptions, due to fixed conveyor belt and pressing tool diameters, leading to asymmetrical shapes and visible marks on the surface.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a diameter adjusting device with a tubular element having an inlet and outlet, where the outlet diameter is adjusted to compress the elongated rod to a desired final diameter, ensuring accurate and non-distorted circular cross-sections, using an elastic portion and slits to control the compression, and a conveyor belt system to maintain smooth surface processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the pressing tool is pressed on the paper and tobacco stick components to adjust diameter, then the firmness is improved, but the cylindrical shape becomes asymmetrical
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing tool is made movable along the longitudinal axis of the rod, allowing dynamic adjustment of the pressing position. This enables the pressing point to be shifted to maintain perfect cylindrical symmetry while still achieving the desired firmness through controlled compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of pressing tool position from fixed to variable. By adjusting the longitudinal position of the pressing tool, the system maintains optimal symmetry while achieving the required compression for firmness.
2Productivity
If the conveyor belt runs at high speed for productivity, then the production efficiency is improved, but junction gaps form causing visible marks
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing tool is positioned and activated just before the rod exits the conveyor belt. This preliminary timing ensures that the rod is fully compressed and stabilized before any potential junction gaps in the conveyor belt can create visible marks on the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing tool acts as an intermediary that mediates between the high-speed conveyor belt and the rod surface. By applying compression through this intermediary device, the system maintains surface smoothness even when the conveyor belt operates at high speeds with potential junction gaps.
3Strength
If the pressing force is increased to maintain firmness, then the rod compression is improved, but the cylindrical symmetry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing tool is made movable along the longitudinal axis, allowing the system to dynamically adjust the pressing position rather than increasing pressing force. This maintains cylindrical symmetry by ensuring uniform radial compression while achieving the required firmness through optimized positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the pressing force parameter, the invention changes the pressing position parameter. This allows the system to achieve optimal firmness while maintaining perfect cylindrical symmetry by positioning the pressing tool at the correct longitudinal location.
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 method allows for real-time adjustment of the rod's diameter to maintain desired firmness and shape, preventing production interruptions and ensuring high-quality aerosol forming articles with smooth surfaces and accurate cylindrical shapes.
Implementation Method 1
a first tubular element (2) defining an internal channel (3) connecting an inlet (4) and an outlet (5)... an elastic portion (11)... wherein the diameter of the outlet (5) is adjusted as a function of a desired final diameter of the elongated rod (50)
Data Source
Figure 1~8
Figure 3~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for adjusting the diameter of an elongated rod, said method comprising: providing an elongated rod having a preliminary diameter; selecting a desired final diameter of the elongated rod; providing a diameter adjusting device including a first tubular element having an inlet and an outlet and a channel connecting the inlet and the outlet; adjusting the diameter of the outlet as a function of the desired final diameter of the elongated rod, wherein the diameter of the inlet is bigger than the diameter of the outlet when adjusted; and inserting the elongated rod in the diameter adjusting device from the inlet and outputting it from the outlet so that said elongated rod is compressed to the desired final diameter when outputted from the outlet of the first tubular element.