Roller Mounting Hinging System for Thermal Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller mounting arrangements in converting plants are influenced by thermal expansion and dimensional variations of bearing blocks and tool cylinders, affecting cutting and creasing depths, and often require external hydraulic or pneumatic connections for load adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A hinging system with a resilient restraining mechanism between bearing blocks allows one roller to pivot relative to the other, using flexible connections and springs to maintain constant pre-load and accommodate thermal changes without external pressure sources, ensuring consistent cutting and creasing depths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If bearing blocks are rigidly fixed to maintain structural stability, then structural strength is improved, but thermal expansion and dimensional variations affect cutting and creasing depths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcutting and creasing depth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing blocks are designed with hinging connections that allow dynamic adjustment and movement. The hinge parts enable the bearing blocks to pivot relative to each other, accommodating thermal expansion and dimensional variations while maintaining consistent cutting and creasing depths through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient restraining mechanism uses springs to apply variable forces that compensate for thermal expansion and dimensional changes. The spring force adjusts dynamically based on temperature and dimensional variations, maintaining optimal pre-load on the rollers to ensure consistent cutting and creasing performance across varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If external hydraulic or pneumatic systems are used to adjust roller load, then load adjustability is improved, but device complexity and requirement for external pressure sources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload adjustabilityVSAvoidexternal pressure source requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient restraining mechanism uses self-contained springs that automatically adjust roller pre-load based on thermal expansion and dimensional variations. The system is self-regulating and does not require external hydraulic or pneumatic pressure sources, eliminating complex external control systems while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for external hydraulic or pneumatic systems by implementing an internal resilient mechanism. The spring-based restraining system provides all necessary load adjustment functionality internally, removing the complexity of external pressure sources and associated control infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If bearing blocks are allowed to move freely to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal variation tolerance is improved, but structural stability and pre-load consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion toleranceVSAvoidpre-load consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinging system provides localized flexibility at specific connection points while maintaining rigidity elsewhere. The hinge parts allow controlled movement at the bearing block connections to accommodate thermal expansion, while the resilient restraining mechanism maintains consistent pre-load through localized spring forces, achieving both thermal tolerance and pre-load stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution provides a robust and adjustable roller mounting system that maintains consistent pre-load and reduces the impact of thermal expansion, eliminating the need for external pressure sources and external frames, while ensuring stable cutting and creasing performance across temperature variations.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient restraining mechanism between bearing blocks allows one roller to pivot relative to the other, using flexible connections and springs to maintain constant pre-load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11279106B2Roller mounting arrangements

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 ELOPAK AS

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus comprising a pair of rollers (2) with a nip and having respective axes thereof in a common plane therebetween, first and second roller mounting arrangements (8) at respective opposite ends of said pair (2), said arrangements having a hinging system (26, 30) at one side of said common plane and whereby one of the pair of rollers (2) can be turned relative to the other. The invention also relates to an associated method.