Nested Web Guiding Device for Compact Space Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional web running control devices require significant space and complex structures to maintain web alignment and direction, leading to instability and increased installation space needs.

Innovation Solution

The rotating frame units are nested within each other, with web sections between inlet and outlet rollers being parallel and closely spaced, and inlet rollers offset, allowing for compact design and stable web guidance, enabling efficient 90° deflection and uniform tensile stress distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional web running control devices use separate rotating frame units with parallel axes, then web deflection and alignment can be achieved, but the device requires significant installation space and has a complex structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by arranging multiple rotating frame units within a shared support frame structure. The rotating frames are positioned at different heights and angles, with their rollers nested within the spatial envelope of the overall device, reducing the footprint while maintaining functional independence of each web path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration by stacking rotating frame units at different vertical levels and using inclined rollers. This multi-level arrangement allows webs to be deflected and aligned in three-dimensional space, reducing the horizontal installation space while maintaining alignment precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the rotating frame is pivoted relative to the support frame to control web direction, then web alignment can be achieved, but the structure becomes more complex and less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb guidance stabilityVSAvoidpivot mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment capabilities through pivoting mechanisms that allow the rotating frames to be angled relative to the support frame. This enables real-time control of web deflection angles and alignment, providing adaptability to different web tension conditions and alignment requirements while maintaining operational stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If inlet rollers are arranged with parallel axes in offset planes, then webs can be freely rotatable and deflected, but the overall height and space requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb deflection capabilityVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inclined rollers that are angled relative to the horizontal plane, allowing webs to be deflected in three-dimensional space. This inclined arrangement enables effective web redirection within a compact vertical envelope, reducing the overall height requirement while maintaining full deflection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4029818B1Webpath control device
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 BST GMBH
  • EP4029818B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4029818B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4029818B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Web guiding device, comprising several rotary frame units (E), each having a support frame (10) and a rotary frame (12) parallel thereto, which carries an infeed roller (14) and an outfeed roller (16) for a web (B) to be controlled and is pivotably held on the support frame by a bearing, and comprising a web guiding system (U, V) arranged such that each of several webs (B) is fed to one of the infeed rollers (14) and deflected at it and then deflected again at the outfeed roller (16), characterized in that the rotary frame units (E) are nested within each other such that the web sections (b) of the several webs that run between the respective infeed and outfeed rollers are parallel to each other and the distance between any two adjacent web sections is at most equal to the sum of the radii of the infeed and outfeed rollers between which these web sections run,and that the inlet rollers (14) of the several rotary frame assemblies (E) are offset from each other in the direction parallel to the track sections (b).