Roller Table Spacing Adjustment Using Parallel Combs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller tables with adjustment mechanisms for spacing rollers are complex, prone to wear, and difficult to dismantle, with previous solutions involving pantograph mechanics, compressible rubbers, or hollow screws, which complicate the adjustment process and lead to inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
The use of parallel combs with teeth to control the slidable displacement of support bearings along guide rails, allowing for rectilinear movement perpendicular to the roller axis, enabling easy adjustment of roller spacing without interrupting operation and simplifying mechanics, while maintaining precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pantograph or deformable parallelogram mechanisms are used for roller spacing adjustment, then roller spacing can be adjusted, but the mechanics become extremely complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The roller table is divided into modular sections where each roller can be independently adjusted through individual support bearings that slide along guide rails. This segmentation replaces complex continuous adjustment mechanisms with simple discrete adjustable units.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide rails act as intermediaries between the fixed frame and movable support bearings, providing a straightforward sliding path that eliminates the need for complex pantograph or parallelogram linkages while enabling smooth roller spacing adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compressible rubbers are used between rollers for spacing adjustment, then roller spacing can be adjusted, but rapid wear occurs and inaccuracy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible rubber adjustment mechanism is replaced with a rigid guide rail and sliding support bearing system. This substitution eliminates the wear and elasticity issues of rubber while providing precise, maintainable adjustment through direct mechanical sliding contact.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hollow screw mechanisms are used for roller spacing adjustment, then roller spacing can be adjusted, but the mechanics become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hollow screw adjustment mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler direct sliding system using guide rails and support bearings. The essential function of spacing adjustment is preserved while removing the unnecessary mechanical complexity of threaded adjustments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If grids mounted to pivot about an axis are used for roller spacing adjustment, then roller spacing can be adjusted, but the assembly bulk increases and dismantling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using pivoting grids that rotate about an axis, the invention inverts the approach by using linear sliding support bearings along guide rails. This inversion transforms rotational movement into translational movement, reducing assembly bulk and simplifying dismantling while maintaining adjustment functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A roller table (1) (2) comprising: - rollers (2), - means (3) for rotating the rollers (2), - two parallel guide rails (4) arranged along the direction of travel of the rollers, - two bearings (5) supporting each roller (2), said bearings (5) being mounted on each roller (2) free to rotate and sliding along the guide rails (4), and means (6) for sliding movement control of the bearings (5) supporting the bearings (4) along the guide rails (4). Said control means (6) comprise two combs (7) arranged along the direction of travel, with each roller positioned between two teeth of each comb (7), and means (8) for driving the combs (7) and the rollers along a direction of travel perpendicular to the plane passing through the axis of rotation of the rollers (2) in the direction of bringing the combs (7) and the rollers (2) together or apart.