Rocker Arm Pressure Roller for Variable-Thickness Panel Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices for plate-shaped workpieces, such as those used in wood processing, face challenges in maintaining consistent pressure on workpieces of varying thickness, as conventional tipping levers allow only a limited stroke of 1 to 3 mm.
Innovation Solution
The transport device incorporates a chain track system with individual chain elements and a tipping lever device that includes a pressure roll linked to a spring or adjustment device. This setup allows for a larger stroke of the tipping lever by enabling both swivel and vertical movement, compensating for thickness differences up to 25 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rocker arms with limited stroke are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot handle workpieces with thickness variations greater than 3 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker arm is transformed from a static, fixed-stroke component into a dynamic system where the rocker axis itself can move vertically through a second joint connected to a spring or adjusting device. This allows the rocker arm to adapt its position and stroke length dynamically to accommodate workpieces of varying thickness while maintaining consistent pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical movement dimension to the traditional rocker arm mechanism. Instead of only pivoting around a fixed axis, the rocker axis can now move vertically, creating a two-degree-of-freedom system that significantly increases the effective stroke and adaptability to thickness variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stroke of the rocker arm is increased to handle thicker workpieces, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second joint and spring/adjusting device serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable vertical movement of the rocker axis to increase stroke, provides pressure regulation through spring force, and allow for adjustment of the pressure force magnitude. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring or adjusting device allows for continuous adjustment of the pressure force parameter and the vertical position of the rocker axis. This parameter adjustability enables the system to adapt to different workpiece thicknesses and pressure requirements without requiring completely different mechanisms for each condition.
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 enhanced tipping lever mechanism allows for a significantly larger hub, enabling the transport device to maintain consistent pressure on workpieces with varying thicknesses, ensuring reliable processing of thicker workpieces without relying on the workpiece thickness for pressure adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
coupled to a spring or adjusting device via a second joint
Implementation Method 2
exerts a predetermined pressure force on the workpiece lying on the transport support
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The transport device is used for transporting sheet-shaped workpieces (6), in particular those made of wood or wood substitutes. It has a transport support (2) that transports the workpiece (6) resting on it in a transport direction (X). Furthermore, the transport device has a top pressure device (1) designed to exert a pressure force (F) on the workpiece (6) in the direction of the transport support (2). The top pressure device (1) has a rocker arm (10) or a plurality of rocker arm assemblies (10), wherein at least one rocker arm assembly (10) includes at least one pressure roller (12). The rocker arm assembly (10) can be controlled such that the at least one pressure roller (12) exerts a predetermined pressure force (F) on the workpiece (6) lying on the transport support (2).The rocker arm assembly (10) comprises a rocker arm (16) at one end of which the pressure roller (12) is rotatably mounted, the rocker arm (16) being pivotally coupled via a first joint (15) directly or indirectly to a fixed section (19) of the upper pressure assembly (1). The rocker arm (16) is pivotally coupled via a second joint (13) to a spring or actuating device (11).