Roller Assembly Conversion Using Intermediary Mounting Component

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing roller units in paper or board machines require extensive downtime and economic losses during functional modifications, as existing stands need to be removed and re-machined for new machining or reference surfaces, making conversions like changing a size press to a film press complex and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A method where a component with suitable recesses and elevations is placed on the existing stand, allowing precise positioning of additional units by using existing fitting elements, reducing the need for extensive re-machining and enabling quick conversion of roller units by reusing existing stands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the stand is removed and fitted with new machining or reference surfaces in a workshop, then the functionality of the roller assembly can be changed, but the production downtime increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality conversionVSAvoidproduction downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The solution divides the modification process into separate segments: the component with recesses and protrusions is prepared in advance in the workshop, while the actual roller bearing positioning and additional unit installation can be performed quickly on-site. This segmentation allows preparation work to be done during non-production time while minimizing disruption to ongoing production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The component with the appropriate recesses and/or protrusions is designed and prepared in advance before the actual conversion is needed. This preliminary preparation of the mounting component allows the actual installation on the roller assembly to be performed quickly without extensive on-site machining, thereby reducing production downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If new machining surfaces are created on the stand, then additional units can be positioned precisely, but the complexity and cost of conversion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidconversion complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The component with recesses and protrusions acts as an intermediary element between the existing stand and the additional units. This intermediary component provides the necessary precise positioning features (recesses and protrusions) without requiring direct machining of the stand itself, thereby simplifying the overall conversion process while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating entirely new machining surfaces on the stand, the solution uses a separate component that replicates the necessary positioning features (recesses and protrusions). This component can be designed to match existing fitting elements, allowing precise positioning to be achieved through copying existing geometric features rather than creating new ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If a completely new roller assembly is replaced, then the new functionality is achieved, but the conversion cost becomes prohibitively expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenew functionalityVSAvoidconversion cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The component with recesses and protrusions is designed to work with the existing roller assembly structure, allowing the same basic assembly to serve multiple functions. By adding this adaptive component, the existing roller assembly can be converted to perform new functions without requiring a completely new assembly, thereby reducing material consumption and conversion costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution retains and reuses the existing roller assembly structure (rollers, bearings, stand) while only adding the necessary component for functionality conversion. This approach discards the need for a complete replacement and recovers value from the existing assembly, significantly reducing conversion costs while achieving the desired new functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3551799B1Method for converting a roller assembly for treating a fiber web
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 VOITH PATENT GMBH
  • EP3551799B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3551799B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3551799B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a roller assembly for treating a fiber web (2) within a paper or cardboard machine. In the roller assembly (1, 30), at least two rollers (3, 4), the roller bearings (5, 6) of which are placed on machined support surfaces (12) of at least one stand (7) in a precise position with the aid of fitting elements (11), for example keyed joints, are brought into contact with the fiber web (2) during operation. The aim of the invention is to convert said roller assembly into a converted roller assembly (31) which comprises add-on elements (8) and carries out a different function than the roller assembly (1, 30). In order to simplify the conversion, at least one roller bearing (5, 6) is first arranged at a distance from the machined support surface (12) for the roller bearing on the stand (7). A component (10) is then placed and fixed on the machined support surface (12), the support side (13) of said component having the same recesses and/or elevations (16, 17) for fitting elements (11) on the support surface as the removed bearing housing (5, 6), and fitting elements (11) for the bearing housing (5, 6) are likewise introduced into the component side (14) opposite the support side. Beforehand, simultaneously, or subsequently thereto, the rolling bearing (5, 6) which is arranged at a distance from the machined support surface is positioned and fixed on the component (10) side (14) opposite the support side, wherein prior to being installed, the component (10) is provided with additional machined add-on surfaces (15) to which the add-on assemblies (8) needed for the new function are attached in a precise position.