Combing Device Nipper Plate Inversion for Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional combing machines face mechanical limitations that hinder the increase in comb cycles and production quantities, and are plagued by vibrations and noise issues due to the high acceleration of moving parts.

Innovation Solution

The upper nipper plate is directly controlled by guide elements on a rotationally fixed cam disk on the combing cylinder axis, with a stationary lower nipper plate, and a pneumatic loading device using bellows cylinders to reduce noise and vibrations, allowing for precise synchronization and increased comb cycles without mechanical overloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional nipper units with swinging lower and upper plates are used to achieve high combing rates, then combing rates up to 500 KS/min can be achieved, but mechanical limits are reached and vibrations and noise increase due to high acceleration of moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombing rateVSAvoidvibrations and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional design by making the lower nipper plate stationary and only moving the upper nipper plate. This reversal reduces the number of moving parts and their acceleration, thereby decreasing vibrations and noise while maintaining high combing rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the swinging motion from the lower nipper plate, leaving it stationary. Only the upper nipper plate retains movement, controlled by a cam mechanism. This separation eliminates unnecessary moving mass and reduces mechanical stress and vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If conventional nipper units with multiple moving parts are used, then combing operation can be performed, but mechanical limits prevent further increase in comb cycles due to high acceleration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of comb cyclesVSAvoidmechanical durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By making the lower nipper plate stationary and only moving the upper plate, the invention reduces the mechanical burden on the drive system. This inversion allows higher comb cycle rates without overloading the mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the movement function, assigning it only to the upper nipper plate while the lower plate remains fixed. This segmentation reduces the complexity of moving parts and their interconnections, improving reliability at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If spring-loaded arms are used to generate clamping force in conventional tongs, then closing force is provided, but special tools are required to pivot the tong plate against spring force into inoperative position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic clamping force generationVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the spring-loaded mechanical system with a pneumatic loading device. This substitution eliminates the need for special tools to overcome spring force, as the pneumatic system can be controlled to move the upper tong plate in both directions easily.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a pneumatic loading device to generate and control the clamping force. This pneumatic system replaces the spring mechanism, allowing easier operation and maintenance while providing sufficient closing force for the combing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Manufacturing precision

If cam mechanisms with additional guide elements are used to control upper tong plate movement, then movement control is achieved, but the design is not suitable for significantly increasing comb cycles or production quantities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement control precisionVSAvoidcomb cycle speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention simplifies the cam mechanism by eliminating the need for additional guide elements for the lower tong plate. With the lower plate stationary, the cam mechanism only needs to control the upper plate's movement, reducing complexity and enabling higher comb cycle speeds while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This design significantly increases comb cycles and production quantities while maintaining constant or reducing vibrations and noise, ensuring efficient and precise operation of the combing machine.

Implementation Method 1

a loading device which can be acted upon by a pneumatic loading device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP2307597B1Combing device for combing a fibrous material
Publication Date: 2012.05.16 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP2307597B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP2307597B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2307597B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a combing device for combing a fibrous material (F), which is supplied to a clamping assembly (1) that is supported in a machine frame (MS) and has a lower and upper clamping plate (2, 3), wherein the upper clamping plate (3) is movably supported with respect to the lower clamping plate (2) so as to form a clamping point (KS) and is pressurized by a loading unit (B1, B2) so as to produce a clamping force, and furthermore is provided with a feeding means (5) for supplying the fibrous material (F) to the clamping point (KS) of the clamping assembly, with which beneath thereof a combing cylinder (16) is associated that is rotatably supported in the machine frame (MS) and provided with at least one combing segment (19) on the periphery thereof, and wherein said plate is also provided with a tear-off means (8) associated with the clamping assembly. In order to enable an increase in the nipping speed, according to the invention the upper clamping plate (3) is provided with guide elements (12), which are guided on cam disks (14) for the direct control of the movement thereof, said disks being fastened non-rotatably to the rotation axis (7) of the combing cylinder (16) and the position of the lower clamping plate (2) remaining constant during a nip - as viewed in the direction of the tear-off means (8).