Lamella Block Variable Geometry Openings Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lamella blocks for calibration devices have limitations in cooling efficiency due to uniform boreholes, which are costly and complex to produce, and do not adequately meet varying cooling requirements, affecting the quality of extruded profiles.

Innovation Solution

The design features lamella blocks with slat openings of variable geometry, adaptable to specific cooling needs, produced using 3D printing for cost-effectiveness and optimized cooling performance, where the number and geometry of openings can be individually tailored for each slat to enhance cooling without compromising mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If uniform boreholes are used in lamella blocks, then manufacturing is simplified, but cooling efficiency is insufficient and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different opening geometries in different regions of the lamella block. Each lamella contains openings with specific cross-sectional shapes (circular, rectangular, triangular) and sizes tailored to the local cooling requirements, rather than using uniform boreholes throughout. This allows optimized cooling efficiency in each region while maintaining manufacturability through 3D printing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the openings (cross-sectional shape, size, orientation) to optimize cooling performance. By varying these parameters across different lamellae and regions, the system achieves superior cooling efficiency compared to uniform boreholes, while the 3D printing process enables cost-effective production of these complex geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If variable geometry openings are implemented in each lamella, then cooling efficiency is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by systematically varying opening geometries (cross-sectional shape, dimensions, orientation) to match the specific cooling requirements of each lamella region. This optimized cooling performance is achieved through 3D printing, which can manufacture these variable geometries without significant complexity increase, as the process natively handles complex shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical manufacturing methods (which would find variable geometries complex and costly) with additive manufacturing/3D printing. This substitution enables cost-effective production of lamella blocks with variable opening geometries, as the 3D printing process can directly create complex shapes from digital models without requiring additional machining or assembly steps.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If standardized opening designs are used across all lamellae, then production costs are reduced, but cooling performance does not meet varying requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by designing openings with different cross-sectional shapes and sizes in different lamella regions based on specific cooling requirements. Each lamella's opening geometry is tailored to its functional needs, ensuring reliable cooling performance throughout the block while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient 3D printing manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach significantly improves cooling efficiency by optimizing the cross-sectional area of openings for each lamella, reducing production complexity and costs, while ensuring effective cooling of extruded profiles.

Implementation Method 1

The spaces between adjacent lamellae are also referred to as grooves. An example of a threaded lamella block is further shown in Figure 1. The one in Figure 1 The illustrated lamella block 10 comprises a multitude of lamellae 12 and spacers 14, which are alternately threaded along two support rods 16.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3921135B1Lamella block with lamella openings
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 KRAUSSMAFFEI TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3921135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3921135B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3921135B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a lamella block (100) for a calibration device for the calibration of an extruded profile, wherein the lamella block (100) comprises a lamella structure (110) having a plurality of lamellae (112), which are spaced apart from one another by grooves (114) and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lamella block (100, 100a). At least some of the lamellae (112) are provided with at least one lamella opening (115) with a predefined variable geometry. The invention also relates to a method for producing said lamella block (100), as well as a calibration device comprising a plurality of said lamella blocks. The invention further relates to a system for additively manufacturing said lamella block (100), a corresponding computer program and corresponding data set.