Floating Feed Channel for Collision-Tolerant Sheet Coiling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing winding devices for strip-shaped material face collisions during spool changes, leading to potential damage to the feed channel, spool, and other components, due to insufficient extension of the feed channel, which can result in collisions with the spool or other machine parts.

Innovation Solution

The feed channel is mounted in a floating manner relative to the plate, allowing it to move and 'give in' during collisions, with limited movement to prevent extensive damage, and is equipped with a holding element and centering part for stabilization and alignment, along with sensors for collision detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the feed channel is rigidly fixed to the plate, then structural stability is improved, but damage occurs during collisions with spools or machine parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcollision damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feed channel is designed with a floating mounting that allows dynamic movement relative to the plate during collisions, while maintaining stability during normal operation. The holding element provides controlled restraint that permits impact absorption through relative motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The floating mounting arrangement pre-configures the feed channel to absorb impact energy through controlled movement before damage can occur. The holding element is positioned to provide restraint only after normal operational limits are exceeded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the feed channel is mounted in a floating manner, then collision damage is minimized, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision damageVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic floating connection that maintains precision during normal operation but allows movement during collisions. The holding element provides controlled restraint to maintain positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the degree of freedom of the feed channel based on operational conditions. During normal operation, the floating mounting maintains precise positioning with minimal play. During collision, the mounting allows controlled displacement to absorb impact energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the feed channel is extended further into the spool, then winding precision is improved, but collision risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding precisionVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feed channel's extended position for precise winding is maintained during normal operation, while the floating mounting provides a safety mechanism that allows the channel to move back upon collision, preventing damage despite the extended exposure.

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 minimizes damage during collisions by allowing the feed channel to absorb impact, ensuring quick recovery and preventing material bending or breakage, while enabling efficient operation and alignment post-collision.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastic element (28) is provided, which presses the feed channel (22) and the plate (42) against each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3819036B1Device for coiling sheet-like material
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 LEICHT STANZAUTOMATION
  • EP3819036B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3819036B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3819036B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A device (100) for winding strip-shaped material onto at least one spool (10) has at least one feeding device (20) for feeding the strip-shaped material, wherein the feeding device (20) has at least one feeding channel (22) and at least one plate (42) on which the feeding channel (22) rests at least partially. By having the feeding channel (22) floating relative to the plate (42), a device for winding strip-shaped material is created which minimizes damage in the event of a collision with the feeding channel (22).