Oscillating Roller Drive Mechanism for Leporello Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive mechanisms for folding fiber material webs, such as paper or corrugated cardboard, into a fanfold format require significant space, are costly, and struggle to achieve high conveying speeds without compromising fold quality.

Innovation Solution

A drive mechanism featuring a pair of pivotably mounted rollers that oscillate to create a passage gap for the web, accompanied by a guiding device to ensure precise folding and tensioning, allowing for increased conveying speeds while minimizing space and material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If drive belts or pivoting mechanisms are used to achieve leporello fold, then the folding function is realized, but the space requirement increases and component complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding functionVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is firmly attached to the pair of rollers, merging the guiding function with the oscillating mechanism. This integration eliminates the need for separate guide structures, reducing space requirements while maintaining the folding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pair of rollers serves multiple functions: it conveys the web through the passage gap and simultaneously performs the leporello folding by oscillating. The guide device attached to the rollers provides guidance during the folding process. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If drive belts or pivoting mechanisms are used to achieve leporello fold, then the folding function is realized, but the component material cost and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding functionVSAvoidcomponent material cost and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the guide device with the oscillating rollers, the number of separate components is reduced. This merger decreases component material cost and reduces the number of parts subject to wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillating rollers perform both conveyance and folding functions, eliminating the need for separate drive belts and pivoting mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces component complexity and material costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional drive mechanisms are used, then folding is achieved, but conveying speed is limited and quality is compromised at higher speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding qualityVSAvoidconveying speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is designed to oscillate back and forth synchronously with the pair of rollers, dynamically adjusting its position to guide the web throughout the folding process. This dynamic guidance maintains folding quality even at high conveying speeds up to 60 m/min.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device continuously guides the web from the passage gap to the fanfold fold throughout the entire oscillating cycle, ensuring consistent folding quality without interruption or loss of control, even at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2605988B1Drive mechanism for a device for laying a fibrous material web in a leporello fold
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 SPRICK GMBH BIELEFELDER PAPIER UND WELLPAPPENWERKE & CO
  • EP2605988B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2605988B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2605988B1 patent drawingFigure 6a~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive mechanism (1) for a device for laying, in particular an unfolded fibrous material web, in particular a paper web or a corrugated material web, such as a corrugated cardboard web, in a Leporello fold (3), comprising a pair of opposing rollers (5, 7) which are pivotably mounted and which form a passage gap (13) for the fibrous material web and which can be rotated in particular for conveying said fibrous material web through the passage gap, and a drive for pivoting the roller pairs. When pivoted, an outlet dispensing direction defined by the passage gap swings back and forth preferably vertically (V) such that a device (17) swinging back and forth for guiding the fibrous material web to the Leporello fold is arranged downstream of the conveyance stream flow to the passage gap.