Transfer Roller Air Conveying Device Printing Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

In printing units, air turbulence caused by high-speed transfer rollers leads to ink and dampening solution deposits on side walls, requiring additional energy for air circulation and restricting lateral access, which complicates cleaning and ink transfer.

Innovation Solution

Integration of air conveying devices on transfer rollers and cylinders to influence air circulation, preventing ink and dampening solution deposits by generating targeted air flows that counteract the migration of ink and dampening solution towards side walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If air circulation is enhanced using blowers or extraction systems, then ink and dampening solution deposits on side walls are reduced, but energy consumption increases and lateral access is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink deposits on side wallsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer rollers and cylinders themselves generate the air circulation needed to prevent deposits. Their rotation during normal printing operation creates air flows that carry ink and dampening solution vapors away from side walls, eliminating the need for separate energy-consuming air circulation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium that facilitates the removal of ink and dampening solution deposits. By controlling air flow patterns through strategically positioned transfer rollers and cylinders, the system uses air circulation to transport contaminants away from side walls without requiring additional mechanical removal devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional air circulation devices are installed, then ink deposits are prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink deposits on side wallsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer rollers and cylinders serve dual functions: their primary function of transferring printing ink and dampening solution is combined with a secondary function of generating air circulation to prevent deposits. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air circulation devices, maintaining simplicity while achieving the desired effect.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the air circulation function with the existing ink and dampening solution transfer mechanisms. By combining these functions into single components (transfer rollers and cylinders), the system avoids adding separate air circulation devices and maintains structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If transfer rollers rotate at high speed for productivity, then printing efficiency increases, but air turbulence increases causing more ink deposits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting speedVSAvoidink deposits on side walls
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively counteracts the harmful effect of high-speed rotation by using the rollers' own motion to create air flows that prevent deposit formation. The air circulation is generated in advance of the problem occurring, continuously clearing ink and dampening solution vapors from side walls during high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The air circulation system is dynamic and adapts to the rotation speed of the transfer rollers and cylinders. As these components rotate during printing, they continuously generate air flows that adjust in intensity with the rotation speed, effectively managing ink deposits across varying productivity levels without requiring separate control 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

This solution allows for efficient air circulation with minimal effort and energy, reducing ink and dampening solution deposits on side walls, enhancing cleaning efficiency and maintaining ink transfer quality.

Implementation Method 1

the air circulation within a printing unit can be influenced with little effort, so that the air circulates in such a way that the deposition of ink residues can be avoided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4353481A1Device and method for ventilating a printing unit
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 MANROLAND GOSS WEB SYST GMBH
  • EP4353481A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4353481A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4353481A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for ventilating a printing unit (1) of a printing machine for printing a web- or sheet-shaped substrate, comprising at least one side wall (2), at least one forming cylinder (3), at least one transfer and/or counter-pressure cylinder (4), at least one transfer roller (5) with a roller body (6) for transferring printing ink and/or dampening solution, and a method for generating a targeted air circulation of air located in a printing unit (1) comprising at least one side wall (2), at least one forming cylinder (3), at least one transfer and/or counter-pressure cylinder (4), at least one transfer roller (5) with a roller body (6) for transferring printing ink and/or dampening solution.The invention is based on the objective of providing a solution with which the circulation of air within a printing unit (1) can be influenced with minimal effort and without additional electrical consumers. The printing unit (1) according to the invention comprises at least one transfer roller (5) and/or at least one forming cylinder (3) and/or at least one transfer and/or counter-pressure cylinder (4), which has an air conveying device (7) on at least one side of the roller body (6) in axial extension.The method according to the invention is characterized in that the air located in the printing unit (1) is conveyed along the roller body (6) of the at least one transfer roller (5) and/or of the at least one forming cylinder (3) and/or of the at least one transmission and/or counter-pressure cylinder (4) by means of an air conveying device (7) attached to at least one transfer roller (5) rotating in the operating state and/or to at least one forming cylinder (3) and/or of the at least one transmission and/or counter-pressure cylinder (4).