Printing Drum Support Assembly with Adjustable Pre-Tensioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drum support assemblies in printing machines face a conflict between high positioning precision, vibration dampening, and compensation for wear, defects, and thermal expansion, with rigid assemblies providing precision but poor dampening, and resilient assemblies offering compensation but reduced precision.

Innovation Solution

A drum support assembly with a pre-tensioning unit that pre-tensions the drum support body against guides, incorporating a spring element and pressure piece to provide precise positioning, vibration dampening, and compensation for wear and thermal expansion, using a pre-tensioning force that adjusts to specific needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the drum support assembly is made rigid for precise positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but vibration dampening capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidvibration dampening
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the drum support assembly adjustable between rigid and resilient states. The support assembly can be switched from a first state (rigid, high positioning precision) to a second state (resilient, high vibration dampening) depending on operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its mechanical properties dynamically rather than being fixed in one configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the drum support assembly (rigidity/resilience) to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the support assembly between rigid and resilient states, the system can optimize for either positioning precision or vibration dampening as needed, eliminating the need to permanently compromise one function for the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the drum support assembly is made resilient for compensation of wear and thermal expansion, then compensation capability is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensation capabilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the drum support assembly adjustable between rigid and resilient states. The support assembly can be switched from a first state (rigid, high positioning precision) to a second state (resilient, high vibration dampening) depending on operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its mechanical properties dynamically rather than being fixed in one configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the drum support assembly (rigidity/resilience) to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the support assembly between rigid and resilient states, the system can optimize for either positioning precision or vibration dampening as needed, eliminating the need to permanently compromise one function for the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the drum support assembly is made rigid for precise positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but compensation of wear and thermal expansion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcompensation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the drum support assembly adjustable between rigid and resilient states. The support assembly can be switched from a first state (rigid, high positioning precision) to a second state (resilient, high vibration dampening) depending on operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its mechanical properties dynamically rather than being fixed in one configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the drum support assembly (rigidity/resilience) to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the support assembly between rigid and resilient states, the system can optimize for either positioning precision or vibration dampening as needed, eliminating the need to permanently compromise one function for the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 assembly achieves high precision positioning, effective vibration dampening, and compensation for wear and thermal expansion, ensuring reliable and precise drum support with adjustable pre-tensioning force for various operational conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the pre-tensioning unit comprises a pressure piece and a spring element, wherein the spring element is adapted for applying a spring force on the pressure piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

Vibrations usually enter the drum support assembly via the drum support body. Before they can propagate into the upper or lower guide, they act against the pre-tensioning force provided by the pre-tensioning unit. Consequently, such vibrations are dampened by temporarily and locally altering the pre-tensioning force.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration dampening: Damping

Implementation Method 3

In this context the effect of wear, a defects and/or thermal expansion also acts on the pre-tensioning force, i.e. wear, a defect and/or thermal expansion lead to a reduced or increased pre-tensioning force.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP4013616B1Drum support assembly for a printing machine and printing machine
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 BOBST BIELEFELD
  • EP4013616B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4013616B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4013616B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A drum support assembly (30, 32) for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a drum support body (30a, 32a) having a bearing interface (30b, 32b) for a drum, a lower guide (34) supporting the drum support body (30a, 32a) at a lower end thereof, and an upper guide (36) supporting the drum support body (30a, 32a) at an upper end thereof. Additionally, a pre-tensioning unit (50) is provided pre-tensioning the drum support body (30a, 32a) against the lower guide (34) and/or the upper guide (36). Furthermore, a printing machine is described, comprising a drum and a drum support assembly (30, 32) as described above.