Numbering Cylinder Self-Cleaning via Brush Roller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional numbering and imprinting machines require separate and time-consuming cleaning processes for the number cylinder and ink supply device, imposing a heavy burden on operators due to the need to manually remove and reattach the number cylinder.

Innovation Solution

The machine design allows for simultaneous cleaning of the number cylinder and ink supply device by using a brush roller unit and doctor blade system, which can be mounted on the machine without removing the number cylinder, reducing operator effort and cleaning time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the number cylinder is cleaned manually by removing it from the main body frames, then the cleaning can be performed, but the operator's physical burden increases and cleaning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The number cylinder is equipped with a brush roller unit that automatically cleans itself during the printing operation. The brush roller unit rotates and contacts the number cylinder surface to remove ink residue, eliminating the need for manual removal and cleaning by the operator. This self-service mechanism directly reduces both cleaning time and operator physical burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the number cylinder is cleaned manually by removing it from the main body frames, then the cleaning can be performed, but the operator's physical burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidcleaning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush roller unit is integrated into the number cylinder assembly and automatically performs cleaning during normal printing operations. This eliminates the complex manual removal and cleaning process, reducing operator physical burden while maintaining effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The brush roller unit performs preliminary cleaning during the printing operation itself, preventing ink buildup before it becomes problematic. This proactive approach eliminates the need for subsequent manual removal and cleaning operations, reducing both physical burden and process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If separate cleaning processes are used for the ink supply device and number cylinder, then each component can be cleaned, but the total cleaning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush roller unit simultaneously cleans both the number cylinder surface and the ink supply device during a single integrated cleaning operation. The brush roller contacts both components as it rotates, combining what were previously separate cleaning processes into one efficient operation, thereby improving productivity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design significantly reduces the time and physical burden required for cleaning, enabling efficient maintenance of both the number cylinder and ink supply device within the machine.

Implementation Method 1

a brush roller unit (200) which cleans the number cylinder (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a doctor (71) which cleans the ink supply device (20a, 20b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3135492B1Numbering and imprinting machine
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 KOMORI CORP
  • EP3135492B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3135492B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3135492B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention discloses a numbering and imprinting machine including a number cylinder (14,15), drive motor (507), brush member (201), brush member drive device (508), phase detection device (503), and control device (501). The number cylinder includes a plurality of numbering devices (50). The drive motor (507) rotates the number cylinder (14,15). The brush member (201) is supported movably and moves in contact with the number cylinder to clean the plurality of numbering devices (50). The brush member drive device (508) moves the brush member. The phase detection device (503) detects the rotary phase of the number cylinder. The control device (501) controls the drive motor (507), based on the detection result obtained by the phase detection device (503), so as to stop the number cylinder (14,15) while the brush member (201) is in contact with one of the plurality of numbering devices (50) which form one of the plurality of numbering device lines (50d,50e) and controls the brush member drive device (508) to move the brush member (201) in contact with the plurality of numbering device lines (50d,50e).