Piezoelectric Folding Roller Gripping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding rollers for machines that convert sheet materials, such as tissue paper, are complex, costly, difficult to maintain, and noisy due to their reliance on mechanical cam systems for gripping members.
Innovation Solution
A folding roller with a piezoelectric actuator that controls a pivoting gripping member, allowing for fast and precise movement synchronization with the roller's angular position, reducing complexity and noise while enabling high production speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical cam systems are used to control gripping members, then the folding roller can retain and manipulate sheets, but the system becomes complex, costly, noisy, and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cam system with a pneumatic or hydraulic actuation system. The gripping members are controlled by pneumatic cylinders or hydraulic actuators that respond to control signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical cam mechanisms. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity, maintenance requirements, and noise while maintaining reliable gripping member control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic cylinders with pistons and rods to actuate the gripping members. Compressed air or hydraulic fluid is used to generate the forces needed to open and close the gripping members. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach replaces the mechanical cam system, providing smoother operation, reduced noise, and simplified control while maintaining reliable sheet retention and manipulation.
2Productivity
If complex cam systems are used for gripping member activation, then sheet folding can be achieved, but production speed is limited by system inertia and response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the inertia-limited mechanical cam system with a pneumatic actuation system that can respond more quickly to control signals. The pneumatic cylinders can accelerate and decelerate the gripping members faster than mechanical cams, enabling higher production speeds while reducing the complexity of the drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the gripping members through pneumatic actuation, allowing the system to adapt its response characteristics to the production requirements. The pneumatic system can be controlled to provide rapid gripping and releasing actions, optimizing the folding cycle time and increasing productivity while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical cam systems are used to synchronize gripping members with roller angular position, then folding accuracy can be maintained, but the system becomes noisy and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the noisy mechanical cam system with a pneumatic actuation system controlled by electronic or pneumatic control signals. This substitution eliminates the noise generated by mechanical cam contacts and wear, while maintaining precise synchronization of the gripping members with the roller angular position through controlled actuation timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements control systems that monitor the roller angular position and provide feedback to the pneumatic actuation system. This feedback mechanism ensures precise synchronization of the gripping members with the roller position, maintaining folding accuracy while eliminating the noise and maintenance issues associated with mechanical cam-based synchronization.
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 solution simplifies the folding process, increases production speed, and reduces maintenance costs by using piezoelectric actuators to control the gripping members, resulting in a more efficient and quieter operation compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
the roller comprises at least a piezoelectric actuator to control a pivoting movement of the gripping member about a pivoting axis thereof parallel to the rotation axis of the folding roller
Implementation Method 2
it is possible to provide suction openings that generate a decrease in pressure in the longitudinal housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The folding roller (9; 11) comprises a rotation axis (9A; 11A) and at least a gripping member (15; 17) extending longitudinally along the folding roller (9; 11), controlled by at least a piezoelectric actuator (331). The piezoelectric actuator (331) causes a pivoting movement of the gripping member (9; 11) about its pivoting axis (319A) parallel to the rotation axis (9A, 11 A) of the folding roller (9; 11).