Panel Corner Rounding Device with Independent Motor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for rounding corners of panels are either bulky, complex, and difficult to maintain, or they mechanically constrain the displacement and rotation of the milling tool, limiting their ability to perform complex machining operations and satisfy demanding aesthetic needs.

Innovation Solution

A compact device with a mobile carriage and milling unit, where the milling tool's displacement and rotation are independently controlled by separate motors, allowing for precise and variable speed management, and featuring pneumatic actuators for maintaining tool position and sensors for precise positioning, enabling efficient and reliable corner rounding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single milling tool is used on a mobile carriage with mechanical linkage for synchronization, then device complexity is reduced, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to manufacture and maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into independent functional modules: a mobile carriage for displacement control and a rotatable support for rotation control. Each module has its own drive system, allowing them to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained separately, thus improving ease of manufacture while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control where the mobile carriage and rotatable support are independently actuated by separate drive systems. This allows flexible, programmable coordination of displacement and rotation movements, replacing rigid mechanical linkages with adaptive electronic control, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while improving manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If separate drive systems control displacement and rotation independently, then manufacturing precision is improved for complex profiles, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical linkage synchronization with electronic control systems. Two independent drive systems (one for carriage displacement, one for support rotation) are coordinated through electronic signals and programming, allowing precise control of the milling tool's path for complex profiles without the complexity of mechanical coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Independent dynamic control of displacement and rotation through separate drive systems enables flexible adaptation to various corner profiles. The system can programmatically coordinate the two movements to achieve high manufacturing precision for complex shapes while keeping the physical device structure relatively simple and modular.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If variable speed rotation is implemented for different angular positions, then adaptability for diverse profiles is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable support is equipped with a variable speed drive system that can adjust rotation speed according to the angular position and the specific corner profile being machined. This dynamic speed control is achieved through electronic regulation of the drive motor, providing high adaptability for diverse profiles without requiring complex mechanical variable speed mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Mechanical variable speed mechanisms are replaced with electronically controlled drive systems. The control system programmatically adjusts the rotation speed of the milling tool based on the detected or pre-programmed corner profile, providing high adaptability while keeping the mechanical structure simple and maintainable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP1719594B1Device for rounding corners of panels
Publication Date: 2008.06.18 FRAVOL EXPORT
  • EP1719594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1719594B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1719594B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device for rounding corners of panels made of chipboard, MDF or the like, comprising feeding means mounted on a support structure (2) and able to convey with a continuous movement a panel between an entrance way and an exit way, and a mobile carriage (4) mounted guidably on the support structure and moved by a first motor (7) so as to be displaced parallel to the panel and in synchronism with the latter in a direction of advancing movement. On the mobile carriage a milling unit (3) is rotatably mounted about a shaft (12) with an axis (X) transverse to the direction of advancing movement (Y) of the carriage and the panel. The milling unit is provided with a second motor (13) having, keyed on its rotating shaft, a milling tool and is actuated so as to rotate by a third motor (15) integral with the carriage (4) and electrically coupled to the first motor (7) so as to synchronize in accordance with predefined operating steps the rotation and the displacement of the milling unit (3).