Carding Machine Rotary Element Air Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carding machines lack flexibility in air processing of fibers, requiring time-consuming adjustments to modify the thickness and configuration of fiber layers, limiting versatility and operational speed.

Innovation Solution

A carding machine design featuring a first rotary element, a second rotary element, suction means, and a conveying surface with a tangential working path, allowing for variable suction sector extension or reduction by modifying the conveying surface's operating condition, combined with blower and pneumatic energy recovery systems to enhance fiber processing flexibility and speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the suction power and rotation speed are adjusted to modify air processing effects, then the versatility of air processing is improved, but the time necessary to make modifications to the machine configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility of air processingVSAvoidtime necessary to make modifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying surface is made movable relative to the suction means, allowing dynamic adjustment of the distance between them. This enables the machine to switch between different operating conditions (suction mode, blowing mode, or no air processing) by simply moving the conveying surface, rather than requiring time-consuming reconfiguration of the entire air processing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The same conveying surface serves multiple functions: it conveys fibers mechanically, and its position relative to the suction means determines the type of air processing applied (suction, blowing, or none). This multi-functionality allows a single component to provide versatility in air processing without requiring separate dedicated systems for each mode.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between the suction means and the conveying surface is varied to change operating conditions, then the flexibility of air machining is increased, but the complexity of the machine configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of air machiningVSAvoidmachine configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying surface acts as an intermediary element between the mechanical working path and the air processing means. By moving this intermediary surface, the system achieves flexible air machining control without requiring complex adjustments to the suction means themselves or the overall machine structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls air processing by changing a single parameter - the distance between the suction means and the conveying surface. This simple parameter change provides flexible air machining capability without requiring multiple complex control mechanisms or system reconfigurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 machine achieves increased flexibility in air machining and reduced time for configuration changes, enabling more efficient and versatile processing of fibers, with improved suction force linearity and material handling.

Implementation Method 1

the first suction means being designed to act at the suction sector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

an intermediate sector designed to pass along fibres coming from the drum by the action of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3268518B1A carding machine comprising a rotary element
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 TECHNOPLANTS SRL
  • EP3268518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3268518B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3268518B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described is a carding machine (1) designed preferably to operate in a system for producing padding, which has a particular variability in the type of air processing which may be performed by the machine (1) on the fibres, together with a greater simplicity of management of the configuration of the machine (1) compared with prior art systems.