Path-Controlled Press Sliding Block Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tied-away press designs require significant space due to complex gear systems and large flywheel diameters, leading to inefficiencies in power transmission and increased wear on clutch components.

Innovation Solution

A compact press design featuring a coaxial arrangement of the first motor and flywheel, with a torque motor driving the drive shaft and a brake integrated with the torque motor, allowing for efficient energy recovery and reduced clutch wear through targeted motor control, and utilizing a sliding block with optimized sliding surfaces for force transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If complex gear systems and large flywheel diameters are used in existing tied-away press designs, then power transmission capability is sufficient, but installation space and overall height increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the first motor and flywheel into a coaxial arrangement, merging two separate components into a compact integrated unit. This eliminates the need for complex external gear systems and reduces the overall installation space while maintaining sufficient power transmission capability through the integrated motor-flywheel assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a horizontal or distributed arrangement of components to a vertical coaxial arrangement. By stacking the motor and flywheel along the same axis, the design utilizes the vertical dimension more efficiently, reducing the horizontal installation footprint while maintaining the required power transmission function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Use of energy by moving object

If large flywheel diameters are used, then energy storage capacity is sufficient, but overall height and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the motor and flywheel into a coaxial integrated unit, the patent enables the flywheel to be positioned directly above or below the motor, utilizing vertical space more efficiently. This arrangement maintains sufficient energy storage capacity while reducing the horizontal space requirements compared to traditional lateral arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement parameter from horizontal distribution to vertical stacking. By altering the geometric configuration rather than reducing the flywheel's energy storage capacity, the design achieves compact installation while preserving the necessary energy storage function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If conventional press drive designs are used, then power transmission is adequate, but clutch wear increases due to speed mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidclutch wear
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a control system that monitors the rotational speeds of both the motor and flywheel, and adjusts the clutch engagement timing and slip characteristics based on real-time speed measurements. This feedback control ensures optimal clutch engagement conditions, minimizing wear while maintaining adequate power transmission during the press operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic clutch control that adapts engagement parameters based on operating conditions. Rather than fixed engagement timing, the clutch control system dynamically adjusts engagement duration and slip characteristics to match the instantaneous speed differential between motor and flywheel, reducing mechanical stress and wear on clutch components.

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

This design achieves a significant reduction in overall height, enabling smaller flywheel diameters, reduced wear on clutch components, and improved power transmission efficiency, allowing for high-performance operations with smaller motor and brake dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

a first motor (10) which serves to drive the flywheel (11) and at least partially replenish the energy extracted from the flywheel (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlywheel energy storage: Flywheel

Implementation Method 2

For high power transmission, the driver is preferably an eccentric of the drive shaft, which, for example, runs with a circular circumference in an opening in the sliding block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3377311B1Path-controlled press having a sliding block
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3377311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3377311B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3377311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a path-controlled press, comprising at least one drive shaft (1) having a driver (4) that is eccentric relative to a shaft axis (W), and a sliding block (5), wherein the sliding block (5) is driven by the driver (4) to perform a forcibly actuated movement, wherein during the execution of a pressure stroke, the sliding block (5) is guided on at least one sliding surface (5a) on the pressure side in relation to a pressure-side surface of a slide guide (7), wherein the sliding block (5) has a sliding surface (5b) on the pulling side opposite the sliding surface (5a) on the pressure side, which is guided on a surface of the slide guide on the pulling side, wherein the sliding surface (5a) on the pressure side of the sliding block (5) has a concave or convex curvature, wherein the sliding surface (5b) on the pulling side of the sliding block (5) has another respective concave or convex curvature.