Extruded Pipe Cutter With Contactless Energy Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cutting extruded plastic pipes to length require frequent recharging of batteries, which is time-consuming and inefficient, as the rechargeable battery needs to be repeatedly brought back to a charging station and remains for a short time during the charging process.

Innovation Solution

Energy is transferred continuously or cyclically from a stationary outer region to a movable inner region of the separating device using inductive or capacitive methods, with energy buffered in an energy storage device, such as supercapacitors, allowing for efficient energy use during the cutting process and reducing the need for frequent recharging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rechargeable battery is used to power the cutting tool, then the cutting operation can be performed portably, but the battery requires frequent recharging which causes downtime and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportable cutting operationVSAvoidcutting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic energy transfer by cyclically moving the energy storage device between the movable inner region (during cutting) and the stationary outer region (for recharging). This periodic action ensures the battery is recharged during non-cutting periods, maintaining productivity while preserving portable operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage device is recharged in advance during the return trip to the stationary outer region, before the next cutting operation begins. This preliminary charging action ensures energy availability is maintained without interrupting the cutting workflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the battery is repeatedly brought back to a charging station, then the cutting tool can remain operational, but time is lost during the charging process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidcharging downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the charging function with the return motion of the separator. The energy storage device automatically docks with the energy transfer device during the separator's return to the stationary outer region, combining the charging operation with the existing cyclic motion without requiring separate charging stops

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage device performs self-service by automatically docking with the energy transfer device during the separator's return journey. The system autonomously recharges the battery without external intervention or manual operation, eliminating charging downtime from the production cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If contactless energy transfer is used, then maintenance and contamination resistance are improved, but the complexity of the energy transfer system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance-free operationVSAvoidenergy transfer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based energy transfer with contactless inductive or capacitive coupling. The energy transfer device uses electromagnetic fields to transfer energy across a gap, eliminating wear-prone physical contacts while the system complexity is managed by integrating the transfer mechanism into the existing separator structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach enables efficient energy transfer and usage during the cutting process, minimizing downtime and energy storage requirements, while ensuring safety and reducing wear and maintenance, with energy discharge times optimized between 2% and 25% of the total separation cycle.

Implementation Method 1

The energy is transferred inductively or capacitively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive energy transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The energy is transferred inductively or capacitively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive energy transfer: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

the transferred energy is buffered in an energy storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Electrical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentUS11298847B2Device and method for cutting an extruded pipe to length

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 BATTENFELD CINCINNATI GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

A method cuts an extruded pipe to length using a separating device. The separating device includes a separator rotating about an extrusion axis of the extruded pipe, the separator being rotatably mounted in the separating device, and cutting tools being arranged on the separator. The cutting tools are configured to carry out the separation. The method includes transferring energy to move the cutting tools. The energy is transferred from a stationary outer region of the separating device to a movable inner region of the separating device. The energy is transferred continuously or cyclically and the transferred energy is buffered in an energy storage device. The energy is transferred inductively or capacitively. A discharge time of the energy storage device is between 2% and 25% of a total separation cycle.