Segmented Foil Lamination With Adjustable Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foil laminating devices face challenges in achieving high alignment accuracy and speed due to complex architectures and mechanical weaknesses in foil segments, leading to elevated maintenance costs and limited production speeds.

Innovation Solution

A foil processing device with segmented foils and adjustable support members, including suction units and rotating conveyor belts, allows for real-time correction and alignment of foil segments, enabling high-speed lamination by distributing alignment adjustments over a longer length and using convex surfaces to prevent deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If weak zones are introduced in foil segments to enable real-time correction of relative position, then alignment accuracy is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidmechanical strength of foil segments
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The foil is divided into multiple segments with weak zones between them, allowing independent positioning of each segment. This segmentation enables real-time correction of relative position between segments while maintaining overall structural integrity through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Weak zones are introduced only in specific locations between segments, while the rest of the foil maintains its full mechanical strength. This localized modification allows alignment correction where needed without compromising the overall structural integrity of the foil.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If complex architecture of cooperating parts is used for alignment, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidarchitecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the foil's own weak zones as the correction mechanism, eliminating the need for complex external alignment devices. The weak zones themselves serve as the means for real-time position correction, simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the mechanical parameter (stiffness) of specific zones in the foil to create weak zones. This parameter modification allows the foil to be more compliant in specific areas, enabling alignment correction without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high production speeds are achieved, then productivity is improved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Weak zones are pre-introduced in the foil segments before the lamination process. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid real-time correction during high-speed production without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms, maintaining alignment accuracy even at high production speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The device achieves precise alignment and increased production speeds by allowing multiple segments to be simultaneously supported and aligned, reducing alignment errors and maintaining high-speed processing without mechanical deformation, thus enhancing overall feed speed and reducing maintenance complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the support members have suction units for holding the foil segments in position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2812271B1A foil laminating device
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 NEDERLANDSE ORG VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
  • EP2812271B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2812271B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2812271B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a foil processing device comprising at least two supply units for supplying at least two foils for processing, a processing unit for processing the at least two foils to each other, a transport unit for transporting the said foils from the supply unit to the processing unit, wherein at least one of the said foils is segmented comprising mechanically weak zones separating subsequent foil segments for enabling real-time correction of a relative position between the said foils, wherein the transport unit comprises at least two support members for supporting at least two subsequent segments of the segmented foil.