Movable Head Mechanism for Sanding Machine Roller Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanding machines require significant downtime and manual effort to replace operator rollers, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential stress on machine components.

Innovation Solution

A working unit for a sanding machine featuring a movable head that connects the operator roller to the upright, allowing for easy access and replacement of the roller without the need to move the entire upright, thus reducing machine downtime and improving operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the operator roller is made with a metal core and an interchangeable sleeve coating that can be removed and replaced, then the adaptability to different working conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the mechanism required to move the upright for access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different working conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of upright movement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operator roller is segmented into a metal core and an interchangeable sleeve coating, allowing the coating to be replaced independently. This segmentation enables adaptability to different working conditions by selecting appropriate coating hardness values without replacing the entire roller structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting head is extracted as a separate, movable component from the upright structure. This allows the head to be detached and repositioned independently to provide access to the roller for coating replacement, avoiding the need to move the entire heavy upright while maintaining access capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the upright is moved using a mechanism with several elements in relative movement to allow roller access, then the ease of operation for roller replacement is improved, but the wear of components increases and opening times become longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of roller replacementVSAvoidopening time for roller access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting head is extracted as a separate, movable component from the upright structure. This allows the head to be detached and repositioned independently to provide access to the roller for coating replacement, avoiding the need to move the entire heavy upright while maintaining access capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting head is made movable between a first position for supporting the roller and a second position for distancing from the roller to allow access. This dynamic positioning enables quick adjustment for maintenance operations without requiring complex multi-element movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the upright is moved away from the roller axis to allow free sliding of the extractable sleeve, then the ease of manufacture for sleeve replacement is improved, but the stress on the frame increases when the roller is cantilevered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of sleeve replacementVSAvoidstress on frame during roller replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting head is extracted as a separate, movable component from the upright structure. This allows the head to be detached and repositioned independently to provide access to the roller for coating replacement, avoiding the need to move the entire heavy upright while maintaining access capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting head acts as an intermediary between the upright and the roller. When moved to the second position, it provides a temporary support point that reduces the cantilever stress on the frame during sleeve replacement operations, while still allowing adequate access to the roller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of time

If the connecting head is moved between the roller and upright for roller replacement, then the machine downtime is reduced, but the handling complexity of the head itself increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine downtime for roller replacementVSAvoidhandling ease of connecting head
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting head is extracted as a separate, movable component from the upright structure. This allows the head to be detached and repositioned independently to provide access to the roller for coating replacement, avoiding the need to move the entire heavy upright while maintaining access capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting head is made movable between a first position for supporting the roller and a second position for distancing from the roller to allow access. This dynamic positioning enables quick adjustment for maintenance operations without requiring complex multi-element movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4530017A1Machining unit for a sanding machine with a variable hardness roller
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 SCM GRP
  • EP4530017A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4530017A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4530017A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention concerns a working unit 100 of a panel (P), suitable to be inserted in a sanding machine, said working unit comprising an operator roller 60 rotatable around a rotation axis (A-A), a tensioning roller 63 rotatable around an axis substantially parallel to said axis (A-A), an abrasive belt stretched and circulating between said operator roller 60 and said tensioning roller 63, said abrasive belt being dragged and pressed against said panel (P) by said operator roller 60 during working, and a supporting frame 70 configured to support said operator roller 60 and said tensioning roller 63, said supporting frame 70 comprising at least a first 71 upright and a second upright 72, wherein said operator roller 60 is arranged between said first upright 71 and said second upright 72, said working unit being characterized in that it comprises a head 80 linked to at least said first upright and adapted to connect said operator roller 60 to said first upright 71, in which said head 80 is movable between a first position of fixing of said operator roller 60 to said first upright 71, and a second position of distancing from said operator roller 60.