Vertical Strip Accumulator With Feedback Tension Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vertical strip accumulators apply excessive tension to skelp, leading to deformation and adverse effects on pipe milling quality, and pose a risk of injury to workers during manual interval adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A vertical strip accumulator with a dual power source and control system that adjusts the tension of the skelp within a preset range using sensors and control units to match carrying and winding speeds, preventing excessive tension and enabling precise control of skelp speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual interval adjustment is used to adapt to different skelp widths, then the device can handle various skelp sizes, but workers may be injured by excessive tension in the skelp

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle various skelp widthsVSAvoidworker injury risk from skelp tension

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to automatically detect skelp width and the control unit automatically adjusts the interval between guide rollers, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and thereby preventing worker injury from skelp tension while maintaining adaptability to different skelp widths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the outer drum rotates at high speed to increase productivity, then more skelp can be processed, but excessive tension is applied to the skelp causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskelp processing speedVSAvoidskelp deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor detects the actual skelp width and position, and the control unit adjusts the outer drum rotation speed and guide roller intervals in real-time to maintain optimal tension levels, preventing skelp deformation while maximizing processing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the rotation speed of the outer drum and the interval between guide rollers based on real-time skelp conditions, allowing the device to handle different skelp specifications optimally without causing deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the interval between guide rollers is increased to accommodate wider skelp, then the device can process larger skelp, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskelp width accommodationVSAvoidguide roller adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated control system using sensors and a control unit that electronically adjusts the guide roller intervals, reducing mechanical complexity while improving adaptability to different skelp widths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11505413B2Vertical strip accumulator

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 DMC CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a vertical strip accumulator. The vertical strip accumulator includes an inner drum unit having an inner drum; an outer drum unit installed at an outer side of the inner drum unit; a central drum unit installed at an inner side of the inner drum unit; and an input unit configured to carry a skelp supplied from an uncoiler to the outer drum unit. The outer drum unit includes an outer drum configured to selectively rotate forward and reverse; a first power source configured to provide a power to the outer drum; an outer roller installed to the outer drum; and a first control unit connected to the first power source to control the operation of the first power source. The input unit includes a carrying roller provided in contact with the skelp; a second power source configured to supply a power to the carrying roller; and a second control unit connected to the second power source to control the operation of the second power source.