Circular Comb Tangential Tensile Force Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circular comb units for textile fiber combing machines face challenges in achieving precise and uniform positioning of combing elements due to manufacturing tolerances and mechanical distortions, which affect combing quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A circular comb unit design that applies a tangential tensile force to the circular comb base body during attachment to the shaft, using a fastening mechanism with a counterweight and specific attachment projections and surfaces to ensure precise alignment and compensation for manufacturing inaccuracies, allowing for closer placement of combing elements to the nipper unit and improved combing results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional fastening methods (screw connections, adhesive strips) are used to attach the circular comb base body to the shaft, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but the positioning precision of combing elements deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances and mechanical distortions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of combing elementsVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a tangential tensile force to the circular comb base body during attachment, changing the mechanical state parameter of the base body. This tensile force compensates for manufacturing tolerances and mechanical distortions, enabling precise positioning of combing elements despite variations in base body geometry. The force application transforms the attachment process from a passive fit to an active correction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening mechanism pre-applies the tangential tensile force before the combing machine enters operation. This preliminary action ensures that the circular comb base body is already in its corrected, precise position when combing begins, eliminating the need for post-assembly adjustments and ensuring consistent combing quality from the start.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the circular comb base body is made with standard manufacturing tolerances, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the combing quality deteriorates due to positioning inaccuracies of the combing elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufacturing circular comb base bodyVSAvoidpositioning precision of combing elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of manufacturing tolerances and mechanical distortions into a beneficial correction mechanism. By applying a controlled tangential tensile force, the system allows the base body to elastically deform into its correct geometric configuration, transforming what would normally be defects into opportunities for precision alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The application of tangential tensile force changes the physical state of the circular comb base body, inducing elastic deformation that corrects geometric deviations. This parameter change (from unstressed to stressed state) enables the system to achieve high positioning precision with standard manufacturing tolerances, as the force actively compensates for dimensional variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If combing elements are placed closer to the nipper unit to improve combing quality, then the combing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of mechanical interference and positioning errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombing effectivenessVSAvoidpositioning stability of combing elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism pre-establishes the precise radial position of the combing elements relative to the shaft axis before operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that even when elements are placed close to the nipper unit for maximum combing effectiveness, their positions remain stable and free from interference, as the tensile force continuously maintains their correct alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables precise and uniform positioning of combing elements, enhancing combing quality by compensating for manufacturing tolerances and distortions, leading to improved fiber processing efficiency and reduced assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The attachment means of the circular comb base body are designed to apply a tangential tensile force to the circular comb base body when it is fastened to the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTensile force: Tension

Implementation Method 2

The circular comb unit comprises a fastening mechanism for fastening the circular comb base body to the shaft, the fastening mechanism comprising a counterweight for the circular comb and interacting with the fastening means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3680371B1Circular comb units with a circular comb attached to a shaft
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 STAEDTLER & UHL
  • EP3680371B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3680371B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The circular comb unit (116) is intended for a combing machine for combing textile fibers. It comprises a shaft rotatable about a pivot axis (4) and a circular comb (117) attached to the shaft. The latter comprises a circular comb base body (119) with an outer circumferential side (7) and an inner circumferential side (8), wherein the circular comb base body (119) is equipped with fastening means (105; 123) for its attachment to the shaft, and combing elements (120) arranged on the outer circumferential side (7) of the circular comb base body (119), which together cover a comb circumferential angle segment and define a combing area of ​​the circular comb (117). The fastening means (105; 123) of the circular comb base body (119) are designed to subject the circular comb base body (119) to a tangential tensile force when it is mounted on the shaft.The circular comb unit (116) has at least one mounting surface (15) arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation (4) for attaching the circular comb (117) to the shaft, against which the circular comb base body (119) rests with its inner circumferential side (8), the circular comb base body (119) being attached to the shaft under tangential tensile force. The circular comb unit (116) has a fastening mechanism (118) with a counterweight (121) for attaching the circular comb base body (119) to the shaft.