Suction Roller with Movable Feelers for Interfolding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction rollers for interfolding units are complex and require intricate pneumatic valves, making them inefficient and difficult to adapt to changes in sheet formats.

Innovation Solution

A suction roller design featuring a permanent suction source with an outer hollow roller and angularly spaced bores, utilizing intermediate suction chambers and radially movable feelers with thrust springs to selectively communicate with the suction source, allowing for simplified construction and flexible operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex pneumatic valves are used in the suction roller, then suction control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction controlVSAvoidpneumatic valve system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex pneumatic valve system from the suction roller design. Instead of using traditional pneumatic valves to control suction, the invention uses a simplified structure where the suction roller directly creates negative pressure through its rotation and internal chamber design, removing the need for intermediate valve components while maintaining effective suction control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction roller is designed to automatically regulate its own suction function through its structural design. The roller's internal chambers and openings are configured to create negative pressure zones that naturally control sheet adhesion and release without requiring external pneumatic valve control systems, making the system self-regulating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed bore arrangements are used in the suction roller, then construction is simplified, but adaptability to different sheet formats is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller constructionVSAvoidsheet format flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic bore arrangement system where the suction roller can adjust the positioning and configuration of its bores based on different sheet formats. The roller includes adjustable components that allow operators to reposition bores or change their activation patterns, enabling the same roller structure to adapt to various sheet sizes and types while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design elements

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

Enables reliable and adaptable suction control, allowing for easy selection of bore arrangements and format changes, enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility in interfolding processes.

Implementation Method 1

a permanent suction source (2) comprising the inner cavity of an inner hollow cylinder (1) provided with radial bores (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a longitudinal distribution of movable feelers (5) mounted internally to the outer roller (3) and provided, in turn, with a radial bore (9) communicating externally with a corresponding intermediate chamber (7) and an opening (10) capable of sealingly slide on the cylindrical surface of a respective sleeve (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3781506B1Suction roller structure for interfolding machines
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 UNITED CONVERTING SRL
  • EP3781506B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1d
  • EP3781506B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1d
  • EP3781506B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Suction roller structure for the pneumatic transport of sheets in an interfolding unit (U), comprising a suction source (2) comprising an inner cavity of an inner hollow cylinder (1) and an outer roller (3) provided with longitudinal rows of bores (4) angularly spaced and selectively communicating with said suction source during the angular rotation of the roller (3) with respect to the cylinder (1).