Flexible Material Strand Joint Detection via Pivotable Pressure Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting connection points in flexible material strands, such as sealing material strands, are inefficient and result in excessive waste due to the detection of non-critical defects, with optical inspection systems being costly and prone to cutting out unproblematic areas.

Innovation Solution

A quasi-electro-mechanically operated device using a pivotable pressure body and sensor system that deforms the material strand to detect changes in material density at connection points, allowing for precise identification and cutting of these points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If an optical inspection system is used to detect defects in the material strand, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex optical inspection systems with a simple mechanical sensing system. A pressure body with a sensor detects joints through mechanical contact and force measurement, eliminating the need for expensive optical equipment while maintaining effective joint detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a simple, inexpensive pressure body that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than investing in costly optical inspection equipment. The mechanical sensor system provides a cost-effective alternative that delivers the necessary detection function without requiring expensive infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If an optical inspection system is used to detect all defects, then detection completeness is improved, but material waste increases due to cutting out non-critical defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure body applies localized mechanical force at a specific contact point on the material strand. This localized sensing approach allows detection of joints without requiring comprehensive inspection of the entire strand surface, enabling precise identification of critical features while ignoring non-critical variations that would otherwise trigger unnecessary cuts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects joints by measuring changes in mechanical parameters (force, pressure) rather than visual appearance. This parameter change approach allows the system to distinguish between critical joints (which cause measurable mechanical variations) and non-critical surface defects (which do not affect mechanical properties), thereby reducing false positives and material waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a pivotable pressure body is used to detect joints through mechanical deformation, then device simplicity is improved, but detection precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoiddetection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure body acts as an intermediary between the material strand and the sensor. It converts subtle mechanical variations at the joint into measurable pivot movements or force changes that the sensor can detect, thereby maintaining detection precision while keeping the overall device simple and mechanically straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables precise detection and cutting of connection points, reducing waste and improving processing efficiency with a compact, easily integratable device that minimizes unnecessary material removal.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure body presses against the surface of the strand and indents minimally into the strand material, meaning that the strand is slightly deformed on the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pressure body is pivotable but otherwise fixed in position, so that the pressure body essentially moves, for example, along the top of the strand when it is in contact with the top surface... the pressure body to be carried along and slightly pivoted from its position relative to the strand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical leverage: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP3825645B1Device for detecting a joint on a flexible material strand consisting of a plurality of interconnected strand sections

Publication Date: 2023.05.03 AUDI AG

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Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

Device for detecting a connection point (3) on a flexible material strand (1) consisting of a plurality of interconnected strand sections (2), in particular a sealing material strand, comprising a pivotable pressure body (7) pressing against the material strand (1), past which the material strand (1) can be moved, and a sensor device (21) detecting a pivoting movement of the pressure body (7).