Cylindrical Body Support Rollers With Dual-Axis Self-Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support devices for large, cylindrical bodies with geometric deviations from rotational symmetry experience high surface and edge pressures due to inaccuracies in concentricity and deflections along the axis of rotation, leading to potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A support device with two support rollers mounted on an upper frame, an intermediate frame, and a subframe, featuring pivotable cylindrical surfaces and axes to allow self-adjustment for geometric deviations, minimizing high surface and edge pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single rigid roller is used to support the cylindrical body, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot compensate for concentricity inaccuracies leading to high edge pressures and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidedge pressure compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support device employs dynamically adjustable support rollers that can independently move along the cylindrical body's surface. This dynamic capability allows the rollers to adapt to concentricity deviations and deflections, compensating for geometric imperfections while maintaining reliable support without requiring an overly complex rigid structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If two parallel support rollers are used with a rocker-like mounting, then self-adjustment for the axis is achieved, but deflections along the rotation axis still cause increased edge pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-adjustment capabilityVSAvoidedge pressure from deflections
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into multiple independently adjustable support rollers distributed along the cylindrical body. Each roller can individually compensate for local deflections and geometric deviations, preventing concentrated edge pressures while maintaining the self-adjustment capability for axis alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extends the adjustment capability from a single rocker axis to multiple degrees of freedom, allowing support rollers to compensate for deflections along the rotation axis by moving in additional dimensions, thereby reducing edge pressures caused by longitudinal deflections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If support rollers are fixed at a predetermined distance, then the device structure is stable, but it cannot adapt to shape and position deviations of the cylindrical body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptation to geometric deviations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support rollers are mounted on adjustable carriers that can dynamically change their positions along the cylindrical body while maintaining stable support. This dynamic positioning capability allows adaptation to shape and position deviations without compromising the overall structural stability of the support device

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

The device compensates for rotational asymmetries by allowing the upper frame to shift around multiple cylinder axes, ensuring optimal contact and reducing stress on support rollers, thus preventing damage.

Implementation Method 1

the upper frame is provided on a lower side facing the intermediate frame with a first cylindrical support surface having a first cylinder radius and a first cylinder axis, and the intermediate frame is provided on a upper side facing the upper frame with a first cylindrical receiving surface whose cylinder radius coincides with the first cylinder radius, for pivotally supporting the first support surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGimbal: Gimbal

Implementation Method 2

the subframe is provided on a bottom surface facing the subframe with a second cylindrical support surface having a second cylinder axis and a second cylinder radius, and the subframe is provided on a top surface facing the subframe with a second cylindrical receiving surface whose cylinder radius coincides with the first cylinder radius, wherein the second cylinder axis is perpendicular to the first cylinder axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGimbal: Gimbal

Data Source

PatentEP4663963A1Supporting device for rotatably supporting a cylindrical body
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 IENTEC GMBH
  • EP4663963A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4663963A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4663963A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Support device (1) for rotatingly supporting a cylindrical body, with two support rollers (3) mounted on an upper frame (2), with an intermediate frame (4) supporting the upper frame (2), wherein the upper frame (2) is provided on a bottom surface with a first support surface having a first cylinder radius and a first cylinder axis (Z1) and the intermediate frame (4) is provided on a top surface with a first receiving surface whose cylinder radius coincides with the first cylinder radius for supporting the first support surface, wherein the upper frame (2) is supported on the intermediate frame (4) about the first cylinder axis, with a lower frame (6) supporting the intermediate frame (4), wherein the intermediate frame (4) is provided on a bottom surface with a second support surface having a second cylinder radius and a second cylinder axis and the lower frame (6) is provided on a top surface with a second receiving surface whose cylinder radius coincides with the second cylinder radius,is provided for supporting the second support surface, wherein the second cylinder axis is perpendicular to the first cylinder axis (Z1) and the intermediate frame is supported on the subframe about the second cylinder axis.