Extrusion Line with Movable Take-Off Roller for Rubber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rubber extrusion lines require extensive cooling sections and multiple downstreams, leading to high costs and space requirements due to the need for various extruder configurations to produce different products, with many configurations operating only part-time.

Innovation Solution

An extrusion line design where a single downstream unit is shared among multiple extruder configurations using a movable take-off roller and conveyor unit, allowing for efficient conversion between configurations without additional downstreams, and utilizing a passive conveyor unit to reduce energy consumption and enhance product dimensional stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple downstream systems are provided for different extruder configurations, then product variety can be produced, but costs and space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct varietyVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The single downstream system is designed to handle multiple extruder configurations through the movable take-off roll mechanism. The take-off roll can be repositioned to receive extrudates from different extruders, and the conveyor unit can adjust its path to transport products from various positions to the same downstream processing line, eliminating the need for dedicated downstream systems for each product type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The take-off roll is mounted on a movable carriage that can travel along the extrusion line to different positions corresponding to different extruders. This dynamic positioning capability allows one downstream system to serve multiple extruder configurations, reducing the total number of downstream systems needed while maintaining the ability to produce diverse products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple downstream systems are provided for different extruder configurations, then product variety can be produced, but investment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct varietyVSAvoidinvestment costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The downstream system is designed as a universal processing line that can handle multiple product types. The movable take-off roll and adjustable conveyor unit enable a single downstream system to process extrudates from different extruder configurations, eliminating the need to invest in multiple separate downstream systems while maintaining the capability to produce a wide range of rubber products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple downstream systems that would traditionally be required for different extruder configurations are merged into a single integrated downstream line. The movable take-off roll and flexible conveyor unit combine the functions of what would otherwise be separate downstream systems, reducing capital investment while preserving product variety capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a movable take-off roll and conveyor unit are used to share a single downstream, then space and costs are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If extruder configurations are changed frequently to produce different products, then product variety is achieved, but production time is lost during conversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct varietyVSAvoidconversion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The take-off roll mounted on a movable carriage can quickly reposition to different extruder positions, and the conveyor unit can rapidly adjust its configuration. This dynamic adaptability minimizes the time required to switch between different product configurations, allowing frequent changeovers without significant production time loss.

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 design significantly reduces costs and space requirements by allowing a single downstream to be used across multiple extruder configurations, enabling the production of a wide range of products while minimizing damage to sensitive products during handling.

Implementation Method 1

the conveyor unit to be a shrink roller conveyor. This allows the conveyor unit to shrink the product in a targeted manner before cooling, thus achieving high dimensional accuracy.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP4335609A1Extrusion line and process for extruding rubber

Publication Date: 2024.03.13 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an extrusion line (1) for extruding rubber, comprising an upstream for feeding a feedstock to an extruder configuration (2) of the extrusion line (1), wherein the extruder configuration (2) comprises at least one extruder (9), and a downstream (7), wherein a take-off roller (4) and a conveying unit (5) are arranged between the downstream (7) and the extruder configuration (2).