Paper Roll End Plug Structure for Low-Friction Holder Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
End plugs with movable holding elements for paper rolls often face difficulty in transitioning from a transport position to an active position due to frictional forces, which can lead to deformation and inefficient space utilization during storage and use.
Innovation Solution
The end plug design features a conical outer sleeve with radially extending fins, where some fins have a larger radial extension than others, directing reaction forces away from spoke elements to minimize deformation and facilitate the holding element's movement between positions, and includes protrusions and ribs to enhance structural rigidity and control deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the holding element is made movable between transport position and active position, then space utilization during storage is improved, but frictional forces between slide elements and spoke elements increase making it hard to move the holding element
Solution Approach 1:
The outer sleeve is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, where the wall thickness varies in different axial regions. Specifically, the wall thickness is greater in regions where spoke elements are located and thinner in other regions. This local variation in quality allows the sleeve to provide enhanced structural support and reduced friction in critical areas while maintaining overall compactness and space efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the outer sleeve is made thinner to reduce friction, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity and resistance to deformation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The outer sleeve features non-uniform wall thickness distribution, with thicker walls positioned at regions where spoke elements are located. This local thickening provides enhanced structural support and resistance to deformation in areas subject to higher mechanical stresses, while other regions maintain thinner walls to reduce overall mass and friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer sleeve is designed with asymmetric wall thickness distribution rather than uniform thickness. The wall thickness varies axially, being greater in specific regions and thinner in others. This asymmetric design optimizes the balance between structural strength where needed and reduced friction/mass where less support is required.
3Ease of operation
If the holding element protrudes outside the end plug in active position, then guiding function is improved, but space for storing paper rolls and end plugs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed to be movable between two positions: a retracted transport position where it is accommodated within the end plug for compact storage, and an extended active position where it protrudes to perform its guiding function. This dynamic configuration allows the system to optimize for both storage efficiency and operational functionality at different times.
Data Source
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AI summary
An end plug to be inserted axially into the center of an end of a paper roll, and provided with a holding element for hold/guiding the end of the paper roll in correct position in a dispenser, the holding element being movable between a transport position, where the whole of the holding element is accommodated within the interior of an outer sleeve of the end plug, and an active position where a part of the holding element protrudes outwardly from an outer end of the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve includes a conical wall, whose base end defines the outer axial end of the outer sleeve, the holding element includes two opposite slide elements guided in diametrically opposite spoke elements projecting inwards in a radial direction in relation to the inner wall of the conical wall of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has such a shape that reaction forces acting on the outer sleeve when it is inserted into the center of an end of a paper roll are larger in at least two opposite regions thereof lacking inwardly projecting spoke elements than in regions from which spoke elements project inwards.