Rubbing Roller Infeed Control for Book Cover Spine Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for rubbing book covers onto book blocks, particularly those with straight spines or laterally protruding covers, face issues with spine deformation and inferior quality due to inadequate friction control, which is not suitable for books of varying thicknesses, especially in high-volume production.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a controlled infeed movement of the rubbing rollers, using position control and force control in different sections of the vertical movement, with a sensor system for precise positioning and force regulation, allowing for adjustable friction to accommodate varying book thicknesses and prevent spine deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If spring-loaded rubbing rollers are used to accommodate varying book thicknesses, then adaptability to different book thicknesses is improved, but the friction force becomes uncontrollable leading to spine deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying book thicknessesVSAvoidspine deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static spring-loaded system to a dynamic position-controlled system. The rubbing rollers are equipped with position control that actively adjusts their horizontal position based on real-time feedback from sensors, allowing the system to adapt to varying book thicknesses while maintaining precise control over the rubbing force to prevent spine deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by using sensor systems to detect the actual position of the rubbing rollers and the thickness of the book, then feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and adjusts the roller position accordingly, ensuring consistent rubbing force across books of different thicknesses without causing spine deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If higher friction force is applied to ensure reliable rubbing, then rubbing quality is improved, but spine area deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverubbing reliabilityVSAvoidspine area deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the horizontal position of the rubbing rollers based on the measured book thickness. Instead of using a fixed high friction force that causes deformation, the system modifies the position parameter to optimize the rubbing force for each specific book, ensuring reliable rubbing without spine deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If rubbing rollers are positioned tighter than nominal book thickness to accommodate thickness variations, then adaptability is improved, but the active rubbing force becomes uncertain leading to quality issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of thickness variationsVSAvoidrubbing force consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback control to measure the actual book thickness and rubbing force in real-time, then adjusts the roller position to maintain consistent rubbing force. This eliminates the uncertainty associated with pre-setting rollers tighter than nominal thickness, as the system continuously adapts based on actual measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical spring-loaded system with a controlled drive system that uses sensors and control units. This substitution allows for precise electronic control of the rubbing force, replacing the uncertain mechanical spring force with a controllable actuator system that can maintain consistent force across varying book thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach ensures precise and consistent rubbing, maintaining the quality of the book cover attachment by preventing spine deformation and accommodating books of different thicknesses, even in high-volume production, thereby improving the overall production efficiency and product quality.

Implementation Method 1

the infeed device of the pressure rollers includes a sensor system for determining the instantaneous horizontal position of the pressure rollers as feedback

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The adjustment drive itself can also be used as a sensor system, so that no additional transmitter is required

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing:

Implementation Method 3

The frictional force is thus determined by the spring rate and the degree of deflection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3064367B1Method and device for rubbing a book cover onto the glued outer surfaces of a book block

Publication Date: 2017.10.18 MULLER MARTINI HLDG

AI summary

Method and apparatus for rubbing a book cover against the glued outer surfaces of a book block by means of a pair of rubbing rollers rolling on both sides of the book, the feed movement of which changes as a control variable with respect to the book thickness between the position of the rubbing rollers on the one hand and the force applied to the product by the rubbing rollers on the other.