Brush Roller Textile Separation for Fiber Length Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical recycling methods for textiles often damage fiber quality by cutting or tearing, leading to reduced fiber length and efficiency, and lack automation and control in the separation process.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement and method for separating woven textiles into recovered fibers and textile residual using a brush roller with bristles, a feeding plate, and a control unit that monitors and controls the feeding process to maintain fiber length and quality, incorporating sensors and cutting means to handle tangling and orientation adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If mechanical recycling methods involve cutting or tearing the textile, then the separation process is simplified, but the fiber quality and length are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation process simplicityVSAvoidfiber quality and length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical cutting or tearing methods with a brush roller system that uses bristles to gently comb and separate fibers. This substitution of mechanical action maintains fiber integrity while achieving effective separation, directly resolving the contradiction between process simplicity and fiber quality preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of separation mechanism from violent mechanical cutting to gentle combing action. By altering the nature of the mechanical interaction (from high-force cutting to low-force combing), the system achieves both ease of separation and preservation of fiber length and quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional mechanical recycling methods are used, then the recycling process is established, but automation and control in the separation process are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling process establishmentVSAvoidautomation and control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors that detect fiber characteristics and provide feedback to a control system. This feedback mechanism enables automated adjustment of the brush roller operation parameters, achieving both established recycling productivity and modern automation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors and control mechanisms that allow the recycling process to self-regulate and adjust automatically based on real-time conditions, reducing manual intervention while maintaining established recycling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If brush roller separation is used to maintain fiber length, then fiber quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber length and qualityVSAvoidarrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush roller system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it separates fibers, maintains fiber length, and can be integrated with automated control systems. This multi-functionality justifies the moderate device complexity by delivering multiple benefits through a single integrated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 ensures efficient separation of fibers with minimal damage, enabling easier reuse and upcycling, reduces manual intervention, and enhances recycling efficiency and automation, thereby promoting sustainable textile recycling.

Implementation Method 1

The brush roller comprises a plurality of bristles rotatably arranged around an axis of rotation substantially transverse to the feeding direction L. The brush roller is arranged such that a separating area is defined between bristles of the roller and the feeding plate. The woven textile is separated into recovered fibers and textile residual in the separating area by rotation of the brush roller.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4493747B1Arrangement for separating a woven textile into recovered fibers and textile residual

Publication Date: 2026.03.25 RESPIN AB

Figure 1a~1b
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Figure 4a~4c

AI summary

Present invention relates to an arrangement (100) and a method for separating a woven textile (210) into recovered fibers (110) and textile residual (120). The recovered fibers (110) can be reused in another textile at a later point in time, ensuring an environmentally friendly and energy efficient method for recycling woven textiles. The arrangement (100) includes feeding means (200), a separating unit (300), and a fiber sorting device (400). The woven textile (210) is separated into recovered fibers (110) and textile residual (120) by rotation of a brush roller (310) arranged in the separating unit (300). Further, the fiber sorting device (400) is arranged downstream the separating unit (300) to collect the recovered fibers (110) and textile residual (120). A sensor (350) is arranged to monitor and determine the position of a downstream free end of the woven textile (210) being fed to the separating unit (300). The arrangement (100) further comprises a control unit (500) configured to control an operation of the feeding means (200), the separating unit (300) and the fiber sorting device (400).