Hood Weight Compensation via Rocker Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for contactless guidance and drying or cooling of material webs, such as coated paper or cardboard, require large forces to move traversing devices between 'open' and 'closed' positions, making them inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The use of mechanical couplings with rockers and spherical bearings between two box-like hoods, allowing for compensation of hood weight and enabling movement with reduced force requirements, along with actuators and adjustable bearing brackets for accommodating expansions and uneven movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic cylinders or simple locking mechanisms are used to move hoods between open and closed positions, then the device structure is simple, but large forces are required to move the hoods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by using mechanical couplings with rockers that balance the weight of the hoods. The rockers are positioned and dimensioned to create counterbalancing moments that offset the gravitational force acting on the hoods, thereby reducing the force required by actuators to move the traversing device between open and closed positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the linear motion problem into a rotational dimension by introducing rockers that pivot about fixed points. This dimensional change allows the system to utilize rotational mechanics and moment arms to reduce the effective force required, converting a direct linear force requirement into a distributed rotational system with mechanical advantage.
2Reliability
If the hoods are made heavy to accommodate multiple blower bars and suction devices, then the drying and cooling effectiveness is improved, but the force required to move the traversing device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling system with rockers provides counterbalancing that specifically addresses the weight of heavily equipped hoods. The counterweight mechanism compensates for the additional mass from multiple blower bars and suction devices, maintaining ease of movement while allowing the hoods to carry the necessary equipment for effective drying and cooling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rockers serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical coupling between hoods, act as counterweights to balance hood weight, and enable smooth traversal motion. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle heavy, equipment-laden hoods without requiring proportionally larger actuators, as the rockers themselves contribute to the force reduction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mechanical connections are used between hoods and frame, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate thermal expansion and uneven movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid fixed connections with dynamic pivot connections at the rockers. These pivot points allow the mechanical coupling system to adapt its configuration in response to thermal expansion, manufacturing tolerances, and operational unevenness. The rockers can rotate to accommodate position changes while maintaining structural integrity, providing both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for parameter changes in the mechanical coupling configuration through the rotational degrees of freedom at the rockers. This enables the structure to adjust its geometric parameters (angles, positions) to accommodate thermal expansion and installation variations, maintaining functional stability without rigid constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for the contactless guiding and drying of a running material web (M), or for the contactless guiding and cooling of a running material web (M), in particular of a fibrous web for a machine for producing and/or finishing the fibrous web, in particular a coated paper or cardboard web, comprising two box-like hoods (2, 3), wherein a running path of the material web (M) is provided between the two box-like hoods (2, 3), wherein a displacing movement of the hoods (2, 3) can be carried out via at least one displacing device (4), wherein the at least one displacing device (4) is arranged on the operator side or the drive side, and wherein the at least one displacing device (4) has at least the "open" position and the "closed" position. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one displacing device (4) has at least two mechanical couplings (5) which connects the two hoods (2, 3), and in that the mechanical couplings (5) have in each case one rocker (6).