Panel Finishing Machine Synchronized Tensioning Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface finishing machines for panels suffer from unsynchronized movement of actuator cylinders, leading to tilting and sticking of the tensioning roller, which compromises the correct operation of the finishing device.

Innovation Solution

A machine with synchronized movement of actuator rods through a mechanical coupling device using racks, pinions, and an elastic joint to ensure synchronized movement of the output rods, allowing the abrasive belt to be correctly tensioned.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If two independent actuator cylinders are used to tension the abrasive belt, then the tensioning force is sufficient, but the movement of the output rods becomes unsynchronized causing tilting and sticking of the tensioning roller

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensioning forceVSAvoidsynchronized movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical coupling device is introduced as an intermediary between the two actuator cylinders. This coupling device includes a first output rod connected to the first actuator cylinder, a second output rod connected to the second actuator cylinder, and a coupling mechanism that synchronizes the movement of both output rods. The coupling device ensures that both rods move simultaneously and equally, preventing tilting and sticking of the tensioning roller while maintaining sufficient tensioning force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the actuator cylinders are mounted at the free ends of the tensioning roller, then the structure is simple, but the lack of synchronization causes operational problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcorrect operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device merges the operation of two independent actuator cylinders into a synchronized system. By connecting the output rods through a coupling mechanism, the system ensures that both cylinders operate in unison, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling correct operation of the tensioning roller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the abrasive belt is tensioned without synchronized movement control, then the actuation is simpler, but the tensioning roller tilts and gets stuck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation simplicityVSAvoidtilting and sticking prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device serves as a mechanical intermediary that enforces synchronized movement between the two actuator cylinders. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable tensioning without tilting or sticking, while maintaining relatively simple actuation through purely mechanical means without complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4066993B1Machine for the surface finishing of panels made of wood, metal, plastic or the like

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 BIESSE SPA

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AI summary

A machine for the surface finishing of panels (2) made of wood, metal, plastic or the like has a finishing device (10) mounted above a panel (2) and provided with an abrasive belt (11) wound in a ring shape around at least a drive roller (12) and a tensioning roller (13), with two actuator cylinders (20, 21) to move the tensioning roller (13) relative to the drive roller (12) so as to tension the abrasive belt (11), and with a coupling device (25) to connect the output rods (22, 23) of the actuator cylinders (20, 21) to one another so as to synchronize the movements of the output rods (22, 23) with one another.