Quick-Release Roller Hub for Replaceable Sleeve Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rollers in industrial contexts face issues with durable adhesion between elastomeric sleeves and metal or thermoplastic resin hubs, leading to inadequate fixing, increased production costs, and material waste due to the use of gluing substances, which deteriorate under operating conditions, and existing quick-release systems do not provide reliable or homogeneous force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A roller design featuring a quick-release hub with extensions and corresponding recesses on the sleeve, which engage to provide a large, angle-free contact area for force distribution, preventing material tearing and allowing for easy replacement of the sleeve without gluing substances, while also protecting bearings from contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gluing substance is used to fix the sleeve to the central body, then adhesion between materials is achieved, but production time and costs increase due to additional machining steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (gluing substance) with a mechanical fixing system consisting of a locking screw that physically secures the sleeve to the central body. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical adhesion processes and associated machining steps, thereby reducing production time while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the gluing substance from the assembly process, replacing it with a purely mechanical locking mechanism. By taking out the chemical bonding step, the production process is simplified and accelerated without compromising the fixation reliability between the elastomeric sleeve and the central body.
2Reliability
If a gluing substance is used to fix the sleeve to the central body, then adhesion is achieved, but production costs increase due to additional machining steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (gluing substance) with a mechanical fixing system consisting of a locking screw that physically secures the sleeve to the central body. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical adhesion processes and associated machining steps, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the gluing substance from the assembly process, replacing it with a purely mechanical locking mechanism. By taking out the chemical bonding step, the production process is simplified and costs are reduced without compromising the fixation reliability between the elastomeric sleeve and the central body.
3Reliability
If the sleeve is irreversibly fixed to the central body by gluing, then durable adhesion is achieved, but the entire roller must be replaced when the sleeve deteriorates, causing material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roller into two separable components: the elastomeric sleeve and the central body with locking screw. This segmentation allows the sleeve to be independently replaced when deteriorated, while the central body remains reusable. The locking screw provides reversible fixation, enabling component separation and reducing material waste by avoiding disposal of the entire roller assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables selective discarding of only the worn elastomeric sleeve while recovering and reusing the central body and locking mechanism. This selective replacement approach reduces material waste significantly compared to irreversible gluing, where the entire roller had to be discarded upon sleeve deterioration.
4Reliability
If locking screws extend in radial direction to fix the sleeve, then mechanical fixing is achieved, but the compressibility characteristics of the sleeve are modified and become non-homogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the locking screw to engage only with the central body and not penetrate into or affect the elastomeric sleeve material. The locking mechanism is designed to secure the sleeve at its interface with the central body without extending radially into the sleeve, thereby maintaining uniform compressibility and mechanical characteristics throughout the sleeve structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a roller (100) comprising a replaceable sleeve (200) and a hub assembly (300) for mounting on a shaft of an apparatus having a rotation axis (X-X), in which the hub assembly (300) comprises a hollow body (306) adapted to receive at least a bearing (400) in its cavity. Specifically, the sleeve (200) further comprises at least a first recess (210) and at least a second recess (212) that extend parallel to the axis (X-X) inside the body of said sleeve (200), and the hub assembly (300) further comprises a first flange (310) and a second flange (318) that are provided respectively with at least a first extension (314) and with at least a second extension (324) that extend parallel to said axis (X-X). Said at least a first extension (314) and said at least a second extension (324) being adapted to respectively engage said at least a first recess (210) and said at least a second recess (212) of said sleeve (200).