Climbing Machine Comb Holder Play-Free Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fixed comb carriers in combing machines experience mechanical wear due to line loads from sheet metal retaining clips, leading to poor grip and loose attachment, affecting combing performance and quality, and the clips cannot be closed without the comb holder, causing loose movement during machine operation.

Innovation Solution

A fixed comb holder with a mounting section, guide section, and clamping lever, featuring a latching coupling and pressure elements to secure the comb carrier, allowing closure without the comb present, and a locking mechanism to prevent play and ensure secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a sheet metal retaining clip is used to secure the fixed comb carrier, then the comb carrier can be held firmly in position, but mechanical wear occurs at the contact surface leading to loose attachment and loss of grip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the contact interface from a line contact (retaining clip edge) to a surface contact (pressure element with bearing surface). This parameter change in the contact geometry distributes the mechanical load over a larger area, reducing wear at any single point while maintaining the necessary holding force through the elastic biasing of the pressure element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure element acts as an intermediary between the retaining clip and the comb carrier mounting surface. It mediates the force transmission by providing a dedicated bearing surface that reduces direct wear on the comb carrier while maintaining the elastic retaining force of the clip through its spring-like biasing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the retaining clip is designed to close only with the comb holder present, then proper alignment is ensured, but the clip moves loosely during machine operation when the holder is removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidpositional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the alignment function from the act of closing the retaining clip and separates it from the securing function. The guide slot provides the alignment function independently, allowing the retaining clip to be closed and secured without requiring the comb holder to be present for alignment, thereby eliminating the loose movement problem during machine operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the functions of alignment and securing into separate components: the guide slot handles alignment while the retaining clip with pressure element handles securing. This functional segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and positional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the clamping lever is connected via a pivot axis to allow movement, then the pressure elements can apply securing force, but wear occurs at the pivot connection reducing clamping force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidconnection durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the direct mechanical pivot connection with a magnetic coupling system. The magnet in the clamping lever interacts with the ferromagnetic material in the holder body to provide the necessary holding force without physical contact, eliminating wear at the connection point while maintaining the ability to apply securing force through the pressure elements.

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

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 provides a play-free hold and secure attachment of the comb carrier, enabling machine testing and maintenance without loose components, and ensures reliable operation by preventing unintended movement and ensuring the comb carrier is present.

Implementation Method 1

The clamping lever has a magnet which, in the closed position, is attracted to the holder body in the area of the guide section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The clamping lever has at least two pressure elements for pressing against the comb carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4060102A1Holder for a top comb of a combing machine
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 RIETER CZ AS
  • EP4060102A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4060102A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4060102A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fixed comb holder (1) for fastening a fixed comb carrier (2) in a combing machine and to a fixed comb carrier (2), wherein the fixed comb holder (1) comprises a fastening section (4) for the fixed mounting of the fixed comb holder (1) in the combing machine, a guide section (5) with a guide slot (7) for receiving the fixed comb carrier (2), wherein the guide section (5) is connected to the fastening section (4) and the guide slot (7) has a longitudinal axis (8), a retaining section (6), wherein the retaining section (6) is arranged on the fastening section (4) pointing away from it in the same direction as the longitudinal axis (8) of the guide slot (7), and a clamping lever (13), wherein the clamping lever (13) is connected to the fastening section (4) via a pivot axis (14) and to the retaining section (6) via the guide section (5).The connection of the clamping lever (13) with the holding section (6) is designed as a locking coupling (15) and the clamping lever (13) has at least two pressure elements (20, 21, 22) for fixing the fixed comb carrier (2).