Mandrel Cupping Assembly Radial Cam Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional web rewinding machines face issues with mandrel vibration and wobble during loading and unloading, leading to difficulties in automatic core loading and unloading, which can result in machine shutdowns and equipment damage due to complex and cumbersome chuck arm mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A simplified mandrel cupping assembly with a hold-open and hold-closed cam track system, utilizing a single actuator to rotate cupping arms radially, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement of mandrel cups, reducing the number of moving parts and complexity, and enabling manual control for loading and unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex chuck arm mechanism is used to engage and disengage mandrels, then the mandrel can be securely held during winding, but the mechanism becomes cumbersome and prone to vibration and wobble during loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cupping function from a complex rotating chuck arm mechanism and implements it through a simple radial movement system. The cupping arm moves radially inward to engage the mandrel and radially outward to disengage, eliminating the need for complex rotation and positioning mechanisms while maintaining secure holding during winding.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the cupping arm rotate with the mandrel and use axial movement for engagement/disengagement, the patent inverts the approach by having the cupping arm move radially while the mandrel rotates. This simplifies the mechanism by decoupling the cupping arm from the rotation cycle and allowing independent radial actuation.
2Reliability
If the cupping arm rotates with the mandrel during winding, then continuous support is provided, but the mechanism requires complex actuation and increases maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function into two distinct phases: radial engagement for support during winding, and radial disengagement for loading/unloading. The cupping arm is actuated radially only when needed, rather than continuously rotating with the mandrel, simplifying the actuation mechanism while maintaining continuous support during the winding phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The cupping arm is designed to be automatically actuated by the winding process itself. As the mandrel rotates and the web material is wound, the cupping arm naturally maintains engagement through the radial position, eliminating the need for complex continuous actuation mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If manual control is implemented for loading and unloading, then operation simplicity is improved, but automation extent is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing manual control only at the critical stages of loading and unloading, while the winding process itself remains automated. The cupping arm can be manually actuated radially for engagement and disengagement, providing simple operation where needed, while the automated winding system handles the continuous production phase.
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 reduces the complexity and maintenance needs of the turret system, allowing for smoother operation, increased product turnover rates, and reduced maintenance and repair costs by minimizing mandrel vibration and ensuring reliable core loading and unloading processes.
Implementation Method 1
a cupping arm support having a hold-open cam track and a hold-closed cam track disposed radially about a surface
Data Source
AI summary
A mandrel cupping assembly for releaseably enraging the ends of a plurality of mandrels supported on a web winding turret assembly is disclosed. The turret assembly provides a plurality of mandrels extending parallel to a turret assembly central axis and driven in a closed mandrel path about the turret assembly central axis. The mandrel cupping assembly provides a cupping arm cooperatively associated with each mandrel, a cupping arm support having a hold-open cam track and a hold-closed cam track disposed radially about a surface thereof, and a first actuator for disposing the cupping arm from the hold-open cam track to the hold-closed cam track. The cupping arm has a mandrel cup for releaseably engaging the end of a mandrel. Each cupping arm is carried in a radial path about the turret assembly central axis while disposed in either of the hold-open cam track or the hold-closed cam track.