Multistage Roller Accumulator for Tape Supply Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tape supply devices for optical cable manufacturing often result in tape twisting and poor running due to excessive back-and-forth movements, leading to instability in tape supply during bobbin replacement.

Innovation Solution

A multistage accumulator unit with series-connected units, each comprising multiple movable and fixed rollers, is used in conjunction with a control unit to manage the tape supply order and tension, ensuring stable tape running with limited back-and-forth movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the tape is supplied using a single-stage accumulator with movable and fixed rollers, then the tape can be stored and supplied during bobbin replacement, but the excessive back-and-forth movements cause tape twisting and poor running

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetape supply continuityVSAvoidtape running stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The accumulator is divided into multiple stages, each stage comprising movable rollers and fixed rollers. The tape passes through multiple stages sequentially rather than undergoing excessive back-and-forth movements in a single stage. This segmentation reduces the number of reversals and stabilizes tape running while maintaining continuous supply capability during bobbin replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the movable roller group is moved to approach the fixed roller group to supply stored tape, then continuous tape supply is achieved during bobbin replacement, but tape twisting occurs due to excessive back-and-forth movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetape supply efficiencyVSAvoidtape twisting

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The accumulator is divided into multiple stages, each stage comprising movable rollers and fixed rollers. The tape passes through multiple stages sequentially rather than undergoing excessive back-and-forth movements in a single stage. This segmentation reduces the number of reversals and stabilizes tape running while maintaining continuous supply capability during bobbin replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tape is pre-stored in the accumulator during periods when the bobbin is not being replaced. The accumulator builds up a reserve of tape in advance, allowing continuous supply during bobbin replacement without requiring frequent or excessive back-and-forth movements. This preliminary accumulation action reduces the frequency of tape reversals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single accumulator unit is used to store and supply tape, then bobbin replacement can be performed, but the tape tension control becomes difficult leading to unstable running

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebobbin replacement capabilityVSAvoidtape tension control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The accumulator is divided into multiple stages, each stage comprising movable rollers and fixed rollers. The tape passes through multiple stages sequentially rather than undergoing excessive back-and-forth movements in a single stage. This segmentation reduces the number of reversals and stabilizes tape running while maintaining continuous supply capability during bobbin replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each stage of the accumulator has independently controllable movable rollers that can be dynamically adjusted to control tape tension. The control unit manages the movement and tensioning at each stage separately, providing fine-grained control over tape tension throughout the accumulation and supply process, making tension control easier and more precise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12280974B2Tape supply device, optical cable manufacturing apparatus, and optical cable manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A tape supply device that supplies a tape to an optical cable, the tape supply device includes: an accumulator unit of a multistage unit type divided into units, each of the units including a plurality of movable rollers and a plurality of fixed rollers, the units being connected in series; and a control unit configured to control a supply order of the tape from the units.