Wrapping Device With Pivoting Ring For Center Hole Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wrapping devices for cylindrical pieces with center holes are inefficient due to structural limitations that prevent easy handling, require high stiffness, and complicate material changes, leading to increased operational time and risk of damage during feeding and removal.

Innovation Solution

A wrapping device with a pivoting wrapping ring that can move away from the center hole, allowing for easy access and handling from multiple directions, and a low, open frame structure that supports the ring from multiple pivot points, enabling efficient feeding, removal, and material changes without opening the ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wrapping ring is positioned vertically in a portal-type frame, then the device can wrap cylindrical pieces with center holes, but the device becomes high and requires considerable stiffness in the frame structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrapping capabilityVSAvoiddevice height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping ring is repositioned from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, changing the spatial dimension in which the wrapping operation occurs. This dimensional change allows the device to maintain wrapping capability while significantly reducing the vertical height requirement and eliminating the need for a tall portal-type frame structure.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of positioning the wrapping ring vertically as in conventional designs, the invention inverts this arrangement by positioning the wrapping ring horizontally. This inversion fundamentally changes the structural requirements, allowing the device to be supported by a low frame rather than requiring a tall portal structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the wrapping ring opens in a scissors-like manner, then pieces can be fed directly to wrapping, but the ring structure limits free space and increases collision risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding capabilityVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping ring is extracted from the feeding path entirely. By positioning the wrapping ring horizontally and supporting it from below, the design removes the obstruction that scissors-like opening mechanisms create in the vertical feeding space, eliminating collision risks while maintaining direct feeding capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wrapping operation is moved to a horizontal plane rather than occurring in the vertical dimension. This allows vertical feeding to proceed unobstructed while the wrapping ring operates in the horizontal plane, eliminating the spatial conflict between feeding and wrapping operations.

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

3Device complexity

If the wrapping ring is supported from one side, then the structure can be simplified, but sufficient stiffness cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe structureVSAvoidring stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The low frame structure serves multiple functions: it supports the wrapping ring from below, provides structural stability, and enables the horizontal positioning of the ring. This multi-functional design achieves both structural simplicity and sufficient stiffness without requiring complex portal-type frames.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is redesigned to approach the wrapping ring from below rather than from the sides or above. This dimensional change in support configuration allows the frame to provide adequate stiffness and stability while maintaining a low, simplified structure.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If the wrapping ring must be opened to change wrapping material, then material changes can occur, but operational time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial change capabilityVSAvoidoperational time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping ring is positioned and secured in a fixed horizontal orientation before the wrapping operation begins. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need to open or reposition the ring during material changes, allowing wrapping material to be replenished quickly without interrupting the wrapping operation or moving the ring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2015993B1Wrapping device and method for operating a wrapping device
Publication Date: 2013.02.13 KNA CORP
  • EP2015993B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2015993B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2015993B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a wrapping device (10), which includes a frame (12), a wrapping ring (13) arranged to move relative to the frame, which in the wrapping position is arranged to travel through the centre hole (21) of the piece (15) being wrapped, and which, in the vertical direction, can be at least partly moved away from the wrapping position, in order to change the piece being wrapped, and a wrapping head (14) arranged to rotate around the wrapping ring, in order to wrap the wrapping material around the piece. The wrapping ring can be moved away from inside the center hole of the piece being wrapped, in order to moves the wrapping ring in its entirety away from the said wrapping position. In addition, the invention also relates to a method for operating the wrapping device.