Servo-Driven Adhesive Roller Torque Control for Edgebanding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current edge banding machines in the wood processing industry face challenges in automation and constant process optimization due to high installation costs and limited options for recording operational data, leading to inconsistent adhesive application and quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a servo motor-driven adhesive application roller with integrated torque detection and a control system for real-time data acquisition and processing, allowing for optimized process monitoring and quality control by synchronizing speed, torque, and viscosity data to ensure consistent adhesive application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a brushless electric motor is used to control the application roller, then the adhesive application quality is improved, but the installation space and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive application qualityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical drive systems with a servo motor that directly drives the adhesive application roller. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical transmission components (gears, belts, etc.), thereby reducing installation space while maintaining precise control of the roller's rotational speed and torque for high-quality adhesive application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Power

If conventional motors with frequency converters are used, then the drive performance is sufficient, but the possibilities for collecting operational data are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive performanceVSAvoidoperational data collection
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a servo motor with integrated feedback capabilities that continuously monitor and provide data on operational parameters such as rotational speed, torque, and position. This feedback mechanism enables comprehensive collection of operational data for process optimization and quality control, while the servo motor's control architecture maintains sufficient drive performance for handling high-viscosity adhesives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Force

If speed and torque reduction stages are integrated, then the drive can handle high-viscosity adhesives, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque capabilityVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a servo motor with high torque output capability that directly drives the adhesive application roller without intermediate speed or torque reduction stages. The servo motor's electronic control system provides the necessary torque multiplication, replacing mechanical gear trains or belt drives and thereby simplifying the overall drive system while maintaining the ability to handle high-viscosity adhesives.

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

The solution enhances the quality of the joining process by enabling real-time data recording and optimization, ensuring precise adhesive application and reducing material waste by preventing application when adhesive viscosity exceeds limits, thus improving overall process efficiency and product quality.

Implementation Method 1

the adhesive application roller is supplied with adhesive and applies the adhesive to the narrow side of the workpiece or to the edgeband. The adhesive application roller is rotated by means of the drive about a rotational axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP4043167B1Device for coating the narrow side of plate-shaped workpieces and method for applying adhesive
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 IMA SCHELLING DEUT GMBH
  • EP4043167B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4043167B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4043167B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device (1), in particular an edgebanding machine, is used for coating the narrow side of panel-shaped workpieces (5) made of wood or wood substitutes with an edgeband (K). For this purpose, the device (1) has an adhesive application unit (2) for applying a liquid adhesive, in particular hot melt adhesive, to the narrow side (6) of a workpiece (5) or to an edgeband (K). The adhesive application unit (2) comprises an adhesive application roller (40) for applying a liquid adhesive to the narrow side (6) of the workpiece (5) or to the edgeband (K). The adhesive application roller (40) is driven to rotate about a rotary axis (L) by means of a drive (31) controlled by a control device.The drive (31) includes a detection device that detects the rotational speed of the drive or the adhesive application roller (40), the torque of the drive (31) and/or the rotational position of the drive (31) or the adhesive application roller (40). A servo motor can be used for this purpose.