Vibrocompacting Device Back-Pressure Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibrocompaction devices for forming carbonaceous blocks face instability and reduced efficiency due to buckling of stacked pneumatic cylinders, which leads to lateral thrusts and reduced service life, especially when the stroke requirements exceed standard pneumatic cylinder capacities.

Innovation Solution

A counter-pressure device with two independent stacks of annular inflatable cylinders, each comprising an upper and lower pneumatic cylinder secured to the cover and pressing mass, respectively, with connecting members that guide along a guide column off-center from the vertical axis, eliminating buckling and allowing for larger extensions without increasing cylinder size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If stacked pneumatic cylinders are used to increase stroke beyond standard capacities, then the device can achieve larger extensions, but buckling occurs causing lateral thrusts and reduced stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke of pneumatic cylindersVSAvoidstability of pneumatic cylinder stack
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A guide column is introduced as an intermediary element between the stacked pneumatic cylinders. The guide column provides a fixed reference axis that the connecting members follow, preventing lateral deviation and buckling of the cylinder stack while allowing full extension stroke.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide column is positioned off-center relative to the vertical axis of the pressing mass, creating an asymmetric arrangement. This asymmetric positioning allows the guide column to effectively constrain the pneumatic cylinders without interfering with the central pressing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If guide means are added to prevent buckling, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of counter-pressure deviceVSAvoidcomplexity of guide means
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting members are designed as flexible annular elements that can bend and deform to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the pneumatic cylinders. This flexibility allows the connecting members to follow the guide column without requiring complex rigid mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Force

If pneumatic cylinders are inflated during compaction, then counter-pressure force is generated, but the rebound of pressing mass is not sufficiently opposed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecounter-pressure forceVSAvoidstability of pressing mass movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide column acts as a counterbalancing element that provides a stable reference axis. By constraining the pneumatic cylinders to follow this fixed guide, the system counteracts the lateral forces generated during inflation, ensuring that the counter-pressure force remains vertically oriented and stable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 solution stabilizes the counter-pressure device, prevents buckling, and maintains vertical force orientation, enhancing compaction efficiency and extending the service life of pneumatic cylinders while allowing for greater stroke without increasing the device's size or complexity.

Implementation Method 1

These pneumatic cylinders 14 have their upper and lower bottoms secured respectively to the cover 13 and to the pressing mass 3 and are inflated with compressed air during all or part of the compacting phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

each stack of cylinders comprising at least one upper cylinder and one lower cylinder, the upper end of the upper cylinder and the lower end of the lower cylinder being secured respectively to the cover and to the pressing mass, and the respectively lower ends of the cylinder upper and upper of the lower cylinder being integral with a connecting member of said guide means which slides along a guide column coaxial with said substantially vertical axis off-center of said stack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP2419264B1Vibrocompacting device provided with a back pressure device
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 FIVES SOLIOS SA
  • EP2419264B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2419264B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2419264B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a back-pressure device (12) for a vibrocompacting device, particularly for forming molded carbon blocks, including: at least one mold that is open on two top and bottom horizontal surfaces thereof and securable to a vibrating table forming the bottom of the mold and subject to vibrations by an actuating means; a pressing weight (3) capable of being placed in the mold; and a cover (13) capable of sealingly closing the top surface of the mold. Said back pressure device (12) is characterized in that it does not have a central cylinder stack and includes two stacks (16) or sets of stacks of inflatable cylinders (17a, 17b) that are symmetrically and laterally eccentric on both sides of the central vertical axis (VV) that engages with a guide means (18) that is suitable for each stack (16), the top end of the top cylinder (17a) and the bottom end of the bottom cylinder (17b) of each stack (16) being respectively secured to the cover (13) of the pressing weight (3). The invention also relates to a vibrocompacting device provided with a back pressure device according to the invention.