Apparatus for compacting and/or structuring a nonwoven, and a structural shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for consolidating and structuring fleece face challenges such as difficulty in handling and potential damage during the installation of a one-piece structural shell, limitations in achieving a significant structural height, and issues with seam placement and bearing on the structure drum, especially for wider working widths.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a rotating drum with a structuring shell composed of axially segmented rings that can be slid onto the drum, allowing for increased structural height and flexibility in manufacturing processes, with rings that can be joined permanently or remain isolated for adaptable use, enabling complex surface structures and variable widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a one-piece structural shell is mounted on the drum, then the structural height can be increased, but the handling and installation becomes very difficult and may damage the shell
Solution Approach 1:
The structural shell is divided into multiple axially segmented rings that can be handled and installed separately on the drum. Each ring maintains the required structural height while being small enough for easy manipulation, eliminating the handling difficulties associated with large one-piece shells.
2Ease of operation
If the structural shell is divided into segments along the longitudinal axis, then the handling becomes easier, but seams appear in the fleece which is unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is segmented axially into rings that are mounted on the drum's circumference, allowing easy handling while positioning seams radially rather than longitudinally.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmentation is applied only in the axial direction to create rings, while the circumferential continuity is maintained. This localized segmentation approach enables easy handling without creating visible longitudinal seams in the fleece.
3Ease of manufacture
If segments are fastened to one another, then the structural shell can be assembled, but different cross-sections lead to different bearing on the structure drum or undesired imprints in the fleece
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into axially segmented rings that are mounted separately on the drum, eliminating the need to fasten segments together along the longitudinal axis. This prevents variation in bearing and undesired imprints while maintaining assembly capability.
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
Enables easy handling and mounting of the structural shell, allows for complex surface structures without visible seams, and adapts to varying widths, enhancing the structural integrity and flexibility of the fleece consolidation process.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating drum subjected to suction
Implementation Method 2
at least one water bar, which has a nozzle strip with a plurality of nozzles, wherein the water bar is designed to solidify and/or structure and/or perforate the fleece by means of water jets
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for hydrodynamically compacting and/or structuring nonwoven, comprising an evacuated rotating drum (10), a structural shell (11) which is arranged on the drum (10) at a distance and around which a nonwoven can at least partly wrap, having at least one water beam (1), which has a nozzle strip (2) having a multiplicity of nozzles (4), wherein the water beam (1) is designed to compact and/or structure the nonwoven by means of water jets. The invention is characterized in that the structural shell (11) is formed from at least two rings, which can be slipped onto the drum (10) and fixed. The invention further relates to a structural shell.