Inclined Rail Slit Geometry for High-Speed Film Stretching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vibrations occur when a link device moves on a rail with a slit, obstructing high-speed movement in stretching machines.

Innovation Solution

The rail is designed with a slit inclined relative to its extension direction to minimize vibrations and ensure smooth high-speed movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rail has a slit formed therein for the link device to move on, then the link device can be guided along the rail, but vibrations occur when the guide roller passes over the slit, obstructing high-speed movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance stabilityVSAvoidmovement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by forming the slit in the rail at an inclined angle (θ) of 45° or more and less than 90° relative to the extension direction of the rail. This asymmetric orientation prevents the guide roller from directly impacting the slit edge during movement, thereby reducing vibrations while maintaining guidance stability. The inclined configuration transforms the vertical impact into a distributed contact along the inclined surface, resolving the contradiction between stable guidance and high-speed movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If the slit is formed perpendicular to the rail extension direction for easy manufacturing, then the rail structure is simple, but vibrations occur and high-speed movement is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslit formationVSAvoidstretching efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the slit orientation from the conventional perpendicular (90°) configuration to an inclined angle (θ) of 45° or more and less than 90° relative to the rail extension direction. This parameter modification reduces vibrations during high-speed movement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard machining processes, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and stretching efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the rail structure is simplified with a single slit, then manufacturing is easier, but vibrations occur that prevent high-speed operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverail structureVSAvoidlink device speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the simple single-slit rail structure but applies asymmetry by orienting the slit at an inclined angle (θ) of 45° or more and less than 90° relative to the rail extension direction. This asymmetric configuration prevents direct impact between the guide roller and slit edge, eliminating vibrations that would obstruct high-speed operation, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and high-speed capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12485603B2Stretching machine and rail for stretching machine
Publication Date: 2025.12.02 THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS LTD
  • US12485603B2 patent drawing
  • US12485603B2 patent drawing
  • US12485603B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A stretching machine configured to stretch a resin film includes a plurality of link mechanisms coupled to constitute an endless chain and a rail 14 on which the link mechanisms run. The rail 14 of the stretching machine has a slit 146 in a side surface 142a. The slit 146 extends in a direction inclined with respect to a direction in which the rail 14 extends.