Pneumatic Substrate Separation Cylinder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for treating substrates lack flexibility and efficiency in separating processed substrates into waste and usable parts, often requiring significant mechanical effort and being prone to contamination.

Innovation Solution

A device with a separating system that includes a transport cylinder and a stripping cylinder, utilizing a suction gripper system for register-accurate transport and air supply means to independently manage suction and blown air, allowing for safe and efficient separation of substrates by applying suction or blown air to the transport cylinder's surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical separating devices are used to separate processed substrates into waste and usable parts, then separation can be achieved, but mechanical effort and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation operationVSAvoidseparating device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical separating devices with a pneumatic system. The transport cylinder equipped with suction openings and air supply means uses controlled suction and blown air to separate processed substrates into waste and usable parts, eliminating the need for complex mechanical separating mechanisms while reducing mechanical effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles through the transport cylinder with suction openings and independently controllable air supply means. By regulating suction and blown air, the system achieves separation of substrates without mechanical contact, simplifying the separating device structure and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Manufacturing precision

If mechanical gripper systems are used for substrate transport, then register-accurate transport can be achieved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregister-accurate transportVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical gripper systems with a pneumatic holding system. The transport cylinder uses suction openings and controlled negative pressure to hold and transport substrates register-accurately without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating contamination risks associated with mechanical grippers while maintaining transport precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses pneumatic principles through the transport cylinder's suction openings and air supply means to create controlled negative pressure for holding substrates. This non-contact pneumatic holding system achieves register-accurate transport without the contamination risk of mechanical gripper systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If independent air supply means are used for suction and blown air, then separation efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidair supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-functional air supply system where the same air supply means serves multiple purposes: creating negative pressure for substrate holding, providing blown air for separation, and enabling efficient waste removal. This universal air supply approach improves separation efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the functions of suction and blown air supply into an integrated air supply system connected to the transport cylinder. By merging these functions and using a single controllable air supply means, the system achieves high separation efficiency while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate suction and blown air systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 minimizes mechanical effort required for separation, enhances the stability of the device, and ensures safe transportation and release of waste and usable parts, while maintaining a simple and stable operational design.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a suction gripper system for register-accurate transport

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

allowing for safe and efficient separation of substrates by applying suction or blown air to the transport cylinder's surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBlown air: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP3380284B1Device and method for processing of substrates
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP3380284B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3380284B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3380284B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for treating substrates using a separating device. The aim of the invention is to create a device for treating substrates, which allows a separation of treated substrates into one or a plurality of waste parts and into at least one panel. The aim of the invention is in particular to create a device for treating substrates, which has improved flexibility. Said aim is achieved in that the separating device (2) comprises a transport cylinder (3) and a break-out cylinder (4) associated with said transport cylinder, and in that the transport cylinder (3) comprises means for fixing an exchangeable packing (5) as well as first and second openings (12, 13) which are, in the event that the packing (5) is fixed, at least partially covered by perforations that can be formed in the packing (5). According to the invention, first air supply means (14) for feeding air to the first openings (12) as well as second air supply means (15) for feeding air to the second openings (13) independently from the supply of the first openings (12) are provided. The first and/or second air supply means (14, 15) can be switched between a suction air supply and a blow air supply.