Press Device with Detachable Drive Units for Variable Slat Widths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressing devices for forming slat carpets struggle to apply sufficient pressure uniformly across slats of different widths, as rigid synchronization bars cannot effectively press both wider and narrower slats simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

The pressing device features detachably connected drive units and a synchronizing rail, where drive units push the rail and pressure pieces against the slats, releasing from the rail when the force exceeds the holding magnetic force, allowing pressure pieces to adjust and ensure proper pressing of slats of varying widths without requiring separate devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a rigid bar is used to synchronize pressure pieces, then the pressure pieces can press wider slat mats with sufficient force, but they cannot press narrower slat mats with sufficient force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing forceVSAvoidadaptability to different slat mat widths
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid bar is replaced by a synchronizing rail with multiple detachable drive units that can independently engage and disengage. Each drive unit can be released from the rail when its pressure piece contacts a slat mat, allowing independent adaptation to different slat mat widths while maintaining synchronization through the common rail structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization system transitions from a static rigid bar to a dynamic system where drive units can selectively engage and disengage from the synchronizing rail. This dynamic configuration allows the pressing device to adapt to varying slat mat widths while maintaining coordinated motion through magnetic coupling and mechanical guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If drive units are rigidly connected to the synchronizing rail, then all pressure pieces move together, but they cannot independently adjust to different slat mat widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different slat mat widths
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid connection is segmented into multiple detachable drive units that can independently engage and disengage from the synchronizing rail. This segmentation allows individual drive units to adapt to different slat mat widths while the common rail maintains overall synchronization through magnetic coupling and guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid mechanical connection is replaced by a magnetic coupling system where electromagnets on the synchronizing rail interact with armature plates on the drive units. This substitution allows for controlled engagement and disengagement while maintaining synchronization, enabling both stability and adaptability.

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

3Force

If multiple separate pressing devices are used for different slat mat widths, then each width can be pressed with sufficient force, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing forceVSAvoidnumber of pressing devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single pressing device with multiple detachable drive units is designed to handle multiple slat mat widths. The drive units can be selectively engaged and disengaged from the synchronizing rail to adapt to different widths, eliminating the need for multiple separate pressing devices while maintaining sufficient pressing force for each configuration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing device employs dynamic engagement and disengagement of drive units from the synchronizing rail to adapt to different slat mat widths. This dynamic configuration allows one device to perform multiple functions across different width ranges, reducing the total number of devices needed while maintaining adequate pressing force.

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 solution enables the uniform pressing of slats of different widths, ensuring all slats are firmly joined together, even when they have varying widths, using a single device without the need for multiple pressing devices.

Implementation Method 1

The holding force between the drive units and the synchronizing rail is generated by a magnetic force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The electromagnet has the advantage that individual drive units can be deactivated. Instead of an electromagnet, a permanent magnet can also be used, which likewise allows the synchronizing rail to be disconnected from the stationary drive units.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3318379B1Press device
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 WEINIG DIMTER
  • EP3318379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318379B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3318379B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The pressing device (5) is used to press adjacent, glued lamellae (4) together to form a lamella mat (2', 2", 2'''). Pressure pieces (6) are used for pressing, which are movable by means of drive units. The drive units are detachably connected to at least one synchronizing rail (7) such that the drive units are decoupled from the synchronizing rail (7) when a predetermined holding force is exceeded. This makes it possible to press lamella mats (2', 2'', 2''') of different widths reliably.