Panel Finishing Brake Assembly to Prevent High-Speed Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanding machines for panels made of wood or metal face safety issues due to high panel ejection speeds at the output station when there are malfunctions in the pressure rollers or conveyor systems, leading to potential hazards for staff.

Innovation Solution

A sanding machine with a braking assembly that includes a pair of cranks, a transmission shaft, and freewheels to maintain panel speed synchronization by adjusting the speed of the sanding unit relative to the conveyor, ensuring the panel speed at the output station remains equal to or less than the conveyor speed, even in case of malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the lower belt conveyor and abrasive band operate in mutually opposite directions to feed the panel, then the panel can be fed from input station to output station, but in case of malfunction the panel ejection speed becomes high and unsafe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel feeding speedVSAvoidpanel ejection hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The braking assembly is installed at the output station to apply a preliminary counteracting force (braking action) on the panel before it can be ejected at high speed. This preventive measure ensures that even if the conveyor or abrasive band malfunctions and accelerates the panel, the braking assembly will limit the maximum speed and prevent dangerous ejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The braking assembly acts as an intermediary device between the feeding system (conveyor and abrasive band) and the panel. It mediates the speed control by introducing a controlled resistance that balances the feeding forces, ensuring the panel speed remains within safe limits even when the feeding system operates at high speed or malfunctions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the panel feeding speed exceeds the conveyor speed due to malfunction, then the panel can be processed quickly, but the panel is ejected from the sanding machine causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel feeding speedVSAvoidpanel containment
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The braking assembly is pre-configured with adjustable braking elements that can be set before operation to establish a maximum speed threshold. This preliminary setup ensures that the panel speed is controlled from the moment it enters the braking zone, preventing any exceedance of safe speed limits that could lead to ejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The braking assembly incorporates movable braking elements that can dynamically adjust the braking force applied to the panel. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain reliable panel containment under varying operating conditions, automatically adapting to prevent ejection while allowing efficient processing when conditions are normal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The braking assembly effectively prevents panel ejection by synchronizing speeds, enhancing safety and preventing accidents by maintaining controlled panel movement during conveyor or pressure roller malfunctions.

Implementation Method 1

a braking assembly (24) mounted above the plane P and comprising a contact roller (37) which is fed around its rotation axis (33) at a peripheral speed V2 at least equal to the speed V1 of the plane P of the conveyor (6a), and means (38, 41) allowing the contact roller (37) to be coupled angularly fixedly to the shaft (31) only when the speed V4 of the contact roller (37) exceeds a speed V2 of the shaft (31)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of coupling rollers (41) mounted between the rings (39, 40), parallel to the axis (33), each roller (41) being mounted in a guide groove (42) formed between the rings (39, 40), and cooperating with a pin (43) which is slidably engaged in a guide hole (44) formed in the ring (39), and is arranged between the roller (41) and a spring (45) housed in the hole (44)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3831530B1Machine tool for the finishing of panels
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 BIESSE SPA
  • EP3831530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3831530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3831530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A machine tool for the finishing of panels (2) is provided with a feeding device (4), which defines a support plane (P) for at least one panel (2) and is designed to feed the panel (2) from an input station (22) to an output station (23) of the machine tool, a finishing device (10), which is mounted between the input and output stations (22, 23) so as to carry out a finishing processing of the panel (2), and a braking assembly (24) to ensure a feeding speed (V3) of the panel (2) through the output station (23) at most equal to a given threshold value (V2).