Vibration Compensation in Printing Presses via Dynamic Counter-Torques

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for compensating vibrations in printing machines, especially sheet-fed presses, are inefficient as they require significant mechanical adjustments and cannot reduce vibrations below an acceptable threshold, affecting print quality due to sensitive mechanical systems.

Innovation Solution

The method divides the vibration's frequency spectrum into two groups: one with integer multiples of the machine frequency for predetermined counter-torques and another with non-integer multiples for dynamically measured counter-torques, minimizing overall vibration amplitude with minimal effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical design measures are used to reduce vibrations (resonance shifts, coupling reductions), then vibration amplitude is reduced to some extent, but the reduction is insufficient to reach acceptable thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration amplitudeVSAvoidprint quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces purely mechanical vibration reduction measures (resonance shifts, coupling reductions) with a hybrid approach that introduces active counter-torques through actuators. This substitutes passive mechanical design limitations with active control mechanisms that can dynamically compensate for vibrations at specific frequency components, achieving the necessary reduction to acceptable thresholds while maintaining print quality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from static mechanical parameters to dynamic control parameters. By measuring vibration frequency components and applying counter-torques with specific amplitudes and phases, the system dynamically adjusts compensation parameters to achieve vibration reduction below acceptable thresholds, overcoming the limitations of fixed mechanical design measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple actuators are used to compensate for different frequency components, then vibration compensation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration amplitudeVSAvoidnumber of actuators
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vibration compensation task by dividing the frequency spectrum into different frequency components. Each actuator is assigned to compensate for specific frequency components, allowing targeted compensation rather than attempting to control all vibrations with a single actuator. This segmentation improves compensation effectiveness while managing system complexity through functional distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by focusing compensation efforts on the most significant frequency components that contribute most to harmful vibrations. Rather than attempting to compensate for all frequency components equally, the system identifies and targets specific discrete frequency components, achieving effective vibration reduction with a manageable number of actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If predetermined counter-torques are applied based on known frequency components, then compensation for synchronous vibrations is effective, but asynchronous vibrations cannot be compensated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronous vibrationVSAvoidcompensation coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces feedback by measuring the actual vibration frequency components during operation and using this information to adjust the counter-torques applied by the actuators. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to both synchronous vibrations (known frequency components) and asynchronous vibrations (variable frequency components), significantly improving compensation coverage and versatility while maintaining effectiveness for synchronous vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from static predetermined counter-torques to dynamic counter-torques that adapt to changing vibration conditions. By continuously measuring vibration characteristics and adjusting counter-torque parameters in real-time, the system becomes dynamic and versatile, capable of compensating for both synchronous and asynchronous vibrations rather than being limited to pre-programmed frequency components.

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 approach effectively reduces vibration amplitudes by optimizing counter-torques in relation to the machine's frequency components, improving print quality by minimizing vibrations with reduced mechanical effort.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator (26) for introducing one or more counter-torques into the printing machine (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1837178B1Method for vibration compensation in a printing press
Publication Date: 2012.05.23 HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
  • EP1837178B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1837178B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves introducing a previously determined counter torque into a printing press (14) for compensating for a group (10) of components containing discrete frequency components. Further specific counter torques are introduced as a function of a measurement, carried out during an operation of the printing press, of a signal containing one of the discrete frequency components for compensating a second group (12) of components containing the a discrete frequency component. The second group contains a discrete frequency component which is not contained in the first group. An independent claim is included for a printing press.