Reel-Up Loading Arms and Carriages for Fiber Web Nip Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reel-up systems for fiber web production face challenges in synchronizing the position of center drives with carriage pairs, leading to complex and costly constructions, especially when the secondary drive is engaged, which disrupts the nip load and requires accurate and stable electrical synchronization, and also occupy excessive space, lengthening the production line.

Innovation Solution

The reel-up system features loading arms and carriages that move linearly on horizontal guides, with primary loading arms inside and secondary loading arms and carriages outside the guides, allowing for symmetric or asymmetric placement based on center drives, and enabling the reeling cylinder to maintain a constant nip load by moving along substantially horizontal paths, reducing the need for primary carriages and allowing more space between reeling positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If primary and secondary drives are mechanically connected to carriages and moved by the same actuator, then synchronization is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidmechanical connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into independent primary drive and secondary drive units, each capable of independent control. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical connections between drives and carriages, while maintaining synchronization through separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system with an electrical/control-based synchronization system. Instead of mechanically linking drives to carriages, the system uses sensors and control signals to achieve precise positioning and synchronization, reducing mechanical complexity.

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

2Device complexity

If electrical synchronization is used for secondary drive engagement, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization stability and accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical structure simplicityVSAvoidsynchronization stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including sensors that monitor the position and status of carriages and drives. This feedback is used to continuously adjust and maintain synchronization accuracy, compensating for any deviations that occur during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, allowing real-time adjustments to maintain stability. The control system can dynamically modify engagement timing and force application based on actual system conditions, ensuring reliable synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If two pairs of carriages are used for moving and supporting reel spool, then reliability of reel spool handling is improved, but space occupation and production line length increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereel spool handling reliabilityVSAvoidproduction line length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple carriages into a more compact arrangement. By combining support and movement functions into integrated carriage units that can operate in coordination, the system maintains reliable reel spool handling while reducing the overall space requirement and production line length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes three-dimensional space more efficiently by arranging carriages and guides in a compact spatial configuration. Instead of linear extension, the design employs vertical and lateral positioning to achieve the same functional goals within a smaller footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Manufacturing precision

If reeling cylinder moves to maintain constant nip load, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenip load consistencyVSAvoidreeling cylinder movement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reeling cylinder is designed with dynamic movement capability that allows it to automatically adjust its position to maintain constant nip load. This dynamic adjustment is controlled by feedback from load sensors, enabling precise nip load consistency without requiring overly complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reeling cylinder system incorporates self-adjusting mechanisms that automatically maintain constant nip load through feedback control. The system monitors its own performance and makes necessary adjustments without external intervention, achieving manufacturing precision while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3109192B1Reel-up for reeling of a fiber web
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 VALMET TECH OY
  • EP3109192B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3109192B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a reel-up for reeling of a fiber web (W) around a reel spool (15B) to form a parent roll (20B; 20A) by means of a reeling nip (N) between a reeling cylinder (10) of the reel-up and the parent roll (20B) under reeling, which reel-up has a primary reeling position and a secondary reeling position, which reel-up (10) comprises the reeling cylinder (10), substantially horizontal guides (14) and for each end of the reel spool (15A; 15B) loading arms (12,13; 16,17) and carriages (18) and the primary reeling position is fixed.