Winder with Mobile Diverters for Elastomer Strip Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently winding longitudinally cut elastomer sheets or sheets with elastomer layers into reels, as they tend to stick together due to adhesive properties, making it difficult to handle and wind using conventional winder systems designed for single sheets.
Innovation Solution
A winder system with mobile diverters that alternately direct product strips to two reels, preventing them from sticking together, and a control system to configure the diverters based on strip number and width, allowing for flexible handling of varying strip inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional winders designed for single sheets are used to wind longitudinally cut strips, then the existing winder structure can be utilized, but the strips stick together due to adhesive properties of elastomer making handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The winder is segmented into multiple independent winding stations (first winder and second winder) that can operate simultaneously. Each station handles a subset of strips independently, preventing strips from sticking together by distributing them across separate winding paths with service wraps between each strip.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple winding functions are merged into a single integrated winder system that can process multiple strips simultaneously. The system combines the capabilities of multiple conventional winders into one unified device with shared control and coordination mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If each individual sheet is separated and wound on a dedicated shaft, then stripping sticking is prevented, but the machine complexity greatly increases when handling multiple parallel sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The winder system uses universal components that can handle multiple strips. The first and second winders use identical or similar winding mechanisms, allowing the system to process different numbers and configurations of strips without requiring specialized hardware for each strip.
Solution Approach 2:
Service wraps are pre-positioned between strips before winding begins. The diverters are pre-configured to direct specific strips to specific winders based on the number of strips detected, preventing sticking issues before they occur rather than requiring complex real-time intervention.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a calender is designed for conventional sheet width of about two metres, then constructional requirements are met, but the market demand for narrower sheet widths (60-300 mm) cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The calender output is segmented into multiple narrower strips through longitudinal cutting. Instead of modifying the calender to produce narrow sheets directly, the system cuts the conventional wide sheet into multiple strips that are then processed by the winder system, maintaining calender stability while achieving narrow strip output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different strip configurations by detecting the number of strips and configuring diverters accordingly. The winder can handle varying numbers of strips (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or more) by adjusting the diverter positions and winding assignments in real-time.
4Ease of operation
If mobile diverters are used to alternately direct product strips to two reels, then strips are prevented from sticking together, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each diverter is responsible for directing a specific strip or group of strips to a specific winder. The diverters have localized control functions rather than requiring a complex centralized control system, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A winding device (100) for a sheet product cut longitudinally into parallel strips of reduced width, in which the winding device is configured to wind the strips separately forming a first reel (101) and a second reel (102) and includes a plurality of mobile diverter elements (103) configurable to alternately draw in the parallel strips towards the first reel and towards the second reel.