Impression Roller Sliding Ring Voltage Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing impression rollers in rotary printing machines face reliability issues with voltage supply due to dirt, wear, and leakage, particularly with methods using needle electrodes, brush sliding contacts, and ball bearings, which affect print quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of a sliding ring made of electrically conductive and flexible material, coaxial with the cylinder, provides a reliable and inexpensive means to supply electrical voltage, forming an electrical field between the impression roller and the printing cylinder, with self-adjusting properties to compensate for wear and potential leakage, and can serve as a seal to reduce fluid loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If needle electrodes or brush sliding contacts are used to supply electrical voltage, then the impression roller can be charged, but the voltage supply becomes unreliable due to dirt and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage supply reliabilityVSAvoidelectrode system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact system (needle electrodes or brush sliding contacts) with a magnetic coupling system. The impression roller is equipped with a permanent magnet ring that generates a magnetic field, allowing electrical voltage to be supplied wirelessly through electromagnetic induction from external electrodes. This eliminates mechanical wear and dirt accumulation issues while maintaining reliable voltage supply.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the external power source and the impression roller. The permanent magnet ring on the roller interacts with external electrodes through magnetic coupling, enabling voltage transmission without direct physical contact. This intermediary field transmission method resolves the reliability issues associated with mechanical contact systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If ball bearings are used to feed electrical charges to the impression roller, then voltage can be supplied, but wear of the bearings accelerates and affects reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge supply reliabilityVSAvoidbearing service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical ball bearing contact system entirely by using electromagnetic induction for voltage supply. The permanent magnet ring on the impression roller couples with external electrodes through a magnetic field, allowing charge transmission without physical contact. This substitution removes the wear mechanism that limited bearing service life.

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

3Reliability

If laterally arranged electrodes or brush sliding contacts are used, then the impression roller can be charged, but the system is affected by dirt and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical charge supplyVSAvoiddirt and wear impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces lateral electrodes and brush sliding contacts with a magnetic coupling system. The permanent magnet ring on the impression roller enables wireless voltage transmission through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for lateral mechanical contacts that are susceptible to dirt and wear.

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

4Reliability

If a permanent magnet ring is used on the impression roller, then electrical voltage can be supplied reliably without mechanical contact, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage supply reliabilityVSAvoidmagnet system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The permanent magnet ring serves multiple functions: it generates the magnetic field for wireless voltage supply, provides magnetic coupling with external electrodes, and maintains structural integrity of the impression roller assembly. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding the magnet ring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures a reliable and cost-effective power supply with reduced wear and leakage, maintaining high print quality by forming a stable electrical field, even under conditions of fluid leakage, and can be implemented using standard components.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sliding ring made of electrically conductive and flexible material, which is coaxial with the cylinder and is slidably seated on the shaft or axle, the electrically conductive shaft being connected to the cylinder in a rotationally fixed manner and being electrically connected to the electrically conductive area of the cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

an electrically conductive fluid in the cavity and means for preventing the outflow of the electrically conductive fluid from the cavity. The electrical voltage is transmitted from the electrically conductive contact element to the shaft or from the axle to the electrically conductive contact element. In addition, voltage can be transmitted between the stator and the rotor through the electrically conductive fluid.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction through fluid: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

a spring element for pressing the electrically conductive contact element against the circumference of the shaft or axle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2845731B1Impression roller
Publication Date: 2016.01.13 DETTKE HUBERTUS
  • EP2845731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2845731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2845731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Presser of a rotary printing press comprising: - a cylinder which is more or less electrically conductive in at least one area, - means for rotatably mounting the cylinder about its cylinder axis, and - at least one device for supplying an electrical voltage to the electrically conductive area, - which has an electrically conductive shaft or axle coaxial with the cylinder, and - at least one sliding ring made of electrically conductive and flexible material coaxial with the cylinder, which slides on the shaft or axle, - wherein either the electrically conductive shaft is rotationally fixed to the cylinder and electrically connected to the electrically conductive area of ​​the cylinder, or the sliding ring is fixed in position and connectable to an electrical voltage supply.- or the sliding ring is rotationally fixed to the cylinder and electrically connected to the electrically conductive area, and the axis is fixed in position and can be connected to an electrical power supply.