Linear Material Line Control for Mixed-Length Continuous Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing linear material manufacturing apparatus is inefficient in producing multiple types of linear materials with different lengths, as it requires frequent repositioning of processing and cutting devices, leading to complex processes and reduced productivity.

Innovation Solution

A linear material manufacturing apparatus that includes an unwinding device, processing devices, a transport device, a cutting device, and a control device, which calculates and adjusts the positions of these devices based on wire length information to continuously produce linear materials of varying lengths according to a planned sequence, allowing for improved productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If processing devices and cutting devices are fixed at predetermined positions, then device stability is improved, but the ability to manufacture linear materials of different lengths is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice position stabilityVSAvoidlinear material length variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The processing device and transport device are made movable along the transport direction, allowing their positions to be dynamically adjusted based on the required linear material length. The control device calculates optimal positions in each transport cycle and controls the devices to move to these calculated positions, enabling flexible production of different lengths while maintaining operational stability through controlled movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If processing devices are repositioned to manufacture linear materials of different lengths, then product versatility is improved, but manufacturing process complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinear material length varietyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements a feedback control system that calculates the required processing device and transport device positions based on the target linear material length, controls the devices to move to these calculated positions, and adjusts their movements in each transport cycle according to the specific length requirements. This automated feedback control simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating manual repositioning complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If equipment is stopped to switch linear material types, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinear material length accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing device and transport device continuously operate without stopping to switch between different linear material types. The control device enables seamless transition by calculating and adjusting device positions in each transport cycle according to the required length, allowing the equipment to maintain continuous operation while producing linear materials of different lengths in accordance with a planned sequence, thus improving productivity without sacrificing manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4303900A1Linear material manufacturing apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4303900A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4303900A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4303900A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A linear material manufacturing apparatus (1; 2; 3; 4) includes an unwinding device (11), a processing device (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) configured to move between positions along a transport direction in each of transport cycles, a transport device (26, 27) configured to move between positions along the transport direction in each of the transport cycles, a cutting device (15) fixed at a predetermined position, and a control device (30) configured to control positions of a plurality of the processing devices (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) and the transport device (26, 27) in each of the transport cycles.