Reel Hub Deformation Control via Composite Flange and Groove Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording tape reels deform excessively under winding pressure, leading to irregular shapes that affect the stability and performance of recording tape cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A reel design featuring a cylindrical hub with a flange member made from a material with an elastic modulus equal to or greater than the hub, and a metal plate with a groove structure that reinforces the hub, maintaining a proper shape even after tape winding by controlling deformation and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flange is welded to a tubular hub to suppress reel deformation, then deformation resistance is improved, but the hub shape after deformation becomes irregular
Solution Approach 1:
The reel is divided into functionally distinct segments: a hub for tape winding, a flange for structural support, a metal plate for shape maintenance, and groove portions for controlled deformation. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve both deformation resistance and shape regularity through coordinated action of its parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel employs composite construction combining resin materials (hub and flange) with metal (metal plate). The metal plate provides high stiffness and strength to maintain overall shape, while the resin components allow controlled local deformation. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of deformation resistance and shape regularity.
2Strength
If the metal plate is restrained in the radial direction, then deformation is suppressed, but the hub shape becomes irregular due to restrained deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The metal plate is not uniformly restrained but is selectively positioned and dimensioned to provide support where needed while allowing deformation elsewhere. The groove portions are strategically located to guide deformation in specific areas, creating local zones of controlled flexibility versus stiffness that maintain overall shape regularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove portions create flexible zones in the metal plate that allow controlled radial deformation. These groove-induced flexibilities enable the metal plate to adapt to winding pressures while maintaining its overall circular shape, preventing irregular deformations that would occur with complete rigidity.
3Shape
If the hub stiffness is increased to maintain shape, then deformation is suppressed, but the difference in radii between base portion side and opening end portion side increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange acts as a counterbalancing element that compensates for the asymmetric stiffness distribution in the hub. By providing support at the opening end portion side, the flange counteracts the tendency of this side to deform more than the base portion side, thereby maintaining radius uniformity despite the inherent stiffness gradient.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the radial deformation problem by introducing structural elements in the axial dimension (flange and metal plate). These axial elements provide reinforcement that indirectly controls radial shape uniformity, transforming a one-dimensional radial problem into a multi-dimensional structural solution.
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 design effectively suppresses deformation and maintains a stable, circular shape of the hub, ensuring consistent tape travel and performance across various temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a flange member (40) made of a material with an elastic modulus equal to or greater than a material that constitutes the hub (32), and coaxially joined to an opening end portion of the hub (32)
Implementation Method 2
a groove portion which is continuous around an entire periphery between the groove wall and an outer peripheral surface of the metal plate
Data Source
AI summary
A reel includes a hub formed in a cylindrical-tube-shape with a base portion, on an outer peripheral surface of which a recording tape is wound; a base side flange portion that projects-out to a radial direction outer side of a base portion side of the hub; a flange member configured in a disc-shape or an annular-plate-shape of a material with an elastic modulus at least equal to a material that constitutes the hub, the flange member being coaxially joined to an opening end portion of the hub; a metal plate formed in a circular-plate-shape or an annular-plate-shape, which is fixed coaxially to the base portion of the hub; and a groove wall that is formed integrally with the base portion of the hub and forms a groove portion which is continuous around the entire periphery between the groove wall and an outer peripheral surface of the metal plate.