Segmented Pressure Roller for Uniform Web Tension Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure roller devices for wound web material cutting machines struggle to maintain uniform pressure across take-up reels due to variations in web material thickness, leading to inadequate pressure distribution and complex mechanical assemblies with high costs and limited adaptability to different reel widths.

Innovation Solution

A pressure roller device with rotatably mounted pressure segments on a common support bar, featuring guide means for radial movement and a common expandable fluid-driven thrust mechanism, allowing each segment to be positioned off-center and apply uniform pressure independently to each reel, regardless of diameter fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single pressure roller is used for all take-up reels, then the construction is simple, but the pressure distribution becomes non-uniform due to variations in reel diameter caused by web material thickness fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidpressure uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure roller is divided into multiple independent pressure segments that can be individually positioned and adjusted. Each segment can independently apply pressure to its corresponding reel, allowing for uniform pressure distribution across all reels despite variations in reel diameter, while maintaining a relatively simple overall construction through the shared support bar and thrust mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If several independent pressure roller assemblies are used to apply equal pressures to each reel, then pressure uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure uniformityVSAvoidmechanical assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pressure segments are merged onto a single common support bar and driven by a common thrust mechanism (pneumatic cylinder or hydraulic piston). This combination allows each segment to independently apply uniform pressure to its corresponding reel while sharing the structural support and actuation system, thereby achieving pressure uniformity without the complexity of multiple independent assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common support bar and thrust mechanism serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support for all pressure segments, enable individual positioning of each segment, and deliver uniform thrust to all segments. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the mechanical assembly while maintaining pressure uniformity across all reels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate individual pressure rollers are used for each reel, then pressure adaptability to different reel widths is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different reel widthsVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure roller is segmented into multiple independently positionable sections that can be individually adjusted to accommodate different reel widths and positions. Each segment can be independently maintained or replaced without affecting the other segments, simplifying maintenance operations while maintaining adaptability to various reel configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If pressure segments are positioned off-center with different eccentricities, then adaptability to reel diameter variations is improved, but the guide means and positioning mechanism become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to reel diameter variationsVSAvoidguide means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure segments are designed with radial adjustability along the support bar, allowing their positions to be dynamically changed according to the actual reel diameters. This dynamic positioning capability enables adaptation to varying reel sizes while the guide means remains relatively simple, providing only radial guidance rather than complex multi-axis positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures consistent pressure and compacting across all reels, simplifies construction and maintenance, reduces production downtime, and allows for smaller minimum reel widths without the need for complex adjustments or multiple rollers.

Implementation Method 1

said thrust means comprise an expandable element common for all the pressure segments, said expandable element being driven by a pressurized fluid for individually thrusting the pressure segments with a common pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized fluid: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP1961684B1Pressure roller device for a machine that is used to cut wound laminar material
Publication Date: 2017.04.26 COMEXI GROUP INDS SOC UNIPERSONAL
  • EP1961684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1961684B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1961684B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressure roller device for a wound web material cutting machine comprising a support bar (10) on which a pressure roller (20) is rotatably mounted, said pressure roller being formed by a plurality of adjacent pressure segments (25) which each have an outer cylindrical surface (21) opposite a reel (30). The invention includes guide means for guiding the movements of the pressure segments (25) in a radial direction in relation to the support bar (10) and thrust means for individually and independently thrusting each pressure segment (25) guided in the guide means against the reel (30). The outer cylindrical surfaces (21) of the pressure segments (25) can therefore be positioned off-centre in relation to a central line (15) of the support bar (10) with different eccentricities individually determined by the contact between the outer cylindrical surface (21) of each pressure segment (25) and the reel (30).