Air Spinning Drafting Unit for Tool-Free Spinneret Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drafting units for air-jet spinning machines require complex and tool-dependent processes to detach and maintain the air-jet spinneret, leading to inefficient maintenance and increased downtime.

Innovation Solution

A drafting unit design featuring a lower roller support with a bearing element that allows the air spinneret to be easily attached and detached without tools, using a pivot axis and secure fixation mechanisms like snap rings or spring-loaded pressure pieces, enabling precise alignment and simple maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air-jet spinneret is securely mounted on the lower roller support using traditional holders and screw connections, then the reliability of the mounting is improved, but the ease of removal for maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into a bearing element integrated with the lower roller support and a separate receiver element on the holder. The bearing element contains a through-opening that receives the receiver element, allowing the spinneret to be divided into functional parts that can be independently assembled and disassembled without requiring tool-based fastening of the entire mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver element is extracted as a separate component from the holder, designed to be inserted through the bearing element's through-opening. This extraction allows the spinneret assembly to be removed from the lower roller support by simply withdrawing the receiver element, eliminating the need to loosen screw connections while maintaining secure mounting when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the air-jet spinneret is made pivotable for maintenance access, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed to be pivotable relative to the lower roller support, allowing the air-jet spinneret to be rotated between an operating position and a maintenance position. This dynamic capability enables easy access for maintenance while the pivot axis is precisely defined by the bearing element's geometry, maintaining positioning precision when in the operating position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing element acts as an intermediary component that provides a defined pivot axis through its through-opening. This intermediary structure allows the holder to pivot for maintenance access while the receiver element maintains a precise relationship with the bearing element, ensuring accurate positioning when the spinneret is in the operating position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional holders with screw connections are used to mount the air-jet spinneret, then the secure fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation securityVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing element is merged with the lower roller support as an integrated component, and the receiver element is merged with the holder. This merging eliminates the need for separate screw connections between the holder and lower roller support, reducing mounting complexity while maintaining secure fixation through the interference fit of the receiver element in the bearing element's through-opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support as part of the lower roller support, defines the pivot axis for the holder, and provides the through-opening for receiving the receiver element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall mounting structure while maintaining secure fixation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4339341B1Air spinning machine and drawing frame unit for a spinning station of an air spinning machine
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 SAURER INTELLIGENT TECH AG
  • EP4339341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4339341B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4339341B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an air spinning machine and a drafting unit for a spinning station of an air spinning machine for producing a thread or roving from a supplied fiber strip, with at least one output roller pair consisting of an output upper roller on a load carrier and a driven output lower roller on a lower roller carrier and forming a clamping line, and a bearing element arranged on the lower roller carrier for movably supporting an air spinning nozzle.In order to provide a drafting unit for a spinning station of an air spinning machine and an air spinning machine which has a reliable pivotable air spinning nozzle that can be easily detached from the lower roller carrier if necessary, it is provided that the lower roller carrier includes a bearing element having a free end, via which the air spinning nozzle can be received, wherein the bearing element forms a pivot axis for pivoting the air spinning nozzle between an operating position and a second position spaced apart from it, wherein the bearing element is connected to the lower roller carrier with a section spaced away from the free end.