Press Section Framing with Longitudinal Beam

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing press sections for dewatering paper or cardboard webs face challenges in achieving stability with high operating speeds and large working widths, leading to increased expenses and frequent belt wear, requiring complex and time-consuming belt replacement processes.

Innovation Solution

A stable framing structure is achieved by mounting press rollers on vertical stands with a longitudinal beam that is supported on these stands, connected via crossbeams for stability, and allowing for removable spacers and cantilever configurations to facilitate belt replacement and improve accessibility, while maintaining structural integrity without additional crossbeams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the press section uses a compact design with multiple press rolls to increase dewatering capacity, then the productivity is improved, but the framing complexity and expense increase due to high operating speeds and large working widths requiring enhanced stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedewatering capacityVSAvoidframing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into separate stands (first stand before press rolls, second stand after press rolls) that are connected via crossbeams. This segmentation allows each stand to be independently constructed and positioned, simplifying the overall framing while maintaining the stability required for high-speed operation and large working widths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the belts are mounted in an endless form to improve continuous operation, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because spacers must be removed and the machine stopped for belt replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidbelt replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The crossbeams are designed to be movable between fixed and cantilever positions. When belt replacement is needed, the crossbeams can be shifted to create space for removing spacers and accessing the belts. This dynamic adjustment allows the framing to adapt to maintenance requirements while maintaining continuous operation capability during normal production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the supporting structures are made in one piece to improve stability, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased manufacturing complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of constructing monolithic supporting structures, the invention uses separate stands connected by crossbeams. These individual components can be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes, then assembled on-site. This segmentation maintains the required stability through rigid connections while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost compared to single-piece construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If crossbeams are used to connect stands for stability, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframing stabilityVSAvoidstructural elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crossbeams serve multiple functions: they connect the stands to provide structural stability, can be adjusted to facilitate belt maintenance, and provide mounting surfaces for additional components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated elements for each purpose, thereby maintaining stability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3540120B1Press section
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 VOITH PATENT GMBH
  • EP3540120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3540120B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a press section for dewatering a paper, cardboard or other fibrous web (1) with at least two press gaps formed between three press rollers (3, 4, 5), through which the fibrous web (1) is guided together with at least one endlessly circulating belt (6, 7, 8) and a support structure for these press rollers (3, 4, 5), which is formed by a support structure extending longitudinally on the drive side and the guide side, which each includes at least one stand (10, 11) arranged in the web direction (9) before and one after these press rollers (3, 4, 5), wherein these stands (10, 11) are connected via at least one crossbeam (13, 14, 15) running between the drive and guide sides.The aim is to enable a stable and simple construction by having a longitudinal beam (16) extending between the uprights (10,11) arranged in front of and behind these press rollers (3,4,5) on the drive and driver sides, which is supported on these uprights (10,11) and is not connected to any crossbeam (13,14,15).