Combing Machine Nipper Timing Adjustment via External Four-Bar Linkage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combing machines require troublesome adjustments to the gear train inside the gearbox to adjust the opening and closing time of the top nipper, which can lead to dust contamination and reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

A combing machine design that uses a four-bar linkage mechanism with a first and second crank, linked by pins, where the second crank has an adjustable member, allowing the adjustment of the top nipper's opening and closing time outside the gearbox, eliminating the need to access oily gear parts and reducing dust entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the gear train inside the gearbox is adjusted to change the opening and closing time of the top nipper, then the timing can be adjusted, but the adjustment becomes troublesome and dust may enter the gearbox deteriorating reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment of top nipper timingVSAvoidgearbox reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the timing adjustment function from the enclosed gear train inside the gearbox and relocates it to an external adjustable member on the crank. This allows the timing adjustment to be performed outside the gearbox, eliminating the need to open the gearbox for adjustments and preventing dust contamination while maintaining the ability to adjust the top nipper's opening and closing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary adjustable member that connects to the crank mechanism. This adjustable member serves as a mediator between the drive system and the top nipper, allowing timing adjustments to be made externally without directly accessing the internal gear train, thus protecting the gearbox from dust while enabling easy adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gearbox is opened to adjust the gear train, then the timing can be changed, but dust such as cotton fly may enter the gearbox thereby to deteriorate the reliability of driving

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming adjustabilityVSAvoiddust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The timing adjustment capability is extracted from the enclosed gearbox environment and placed on an external adjustable member. This extraction allows timing adjustments to be performed without opening the gearbox, thereby preventing dust and cotton fly from entering the gearbox while maintaining full adaptability for timing adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary protection by providing an adjustable member that enables timing adjustments to be made before any potential dust contamination occurs. By allowing external adjustment, the system prevents the harmful action of dust entry that would occur if the gearbox needed to be opened for timing changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If a gear train is used inside the gearbox for timing adjustment, then the mechanism is compact, but the adjustment becomes troublesome and requires opening the gearbox

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming mechanism structureVSAvoidadjustment accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the timing adjustment function from the complex internal gear train and relocates it to a simpler external adjustable member on the crank. This maintains the compactness of the overall mechanism while dramatically improving accessibility for adjustments, as the adjustable member can be accessed without opening the gearbox.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical adjustment of the gear train with a simpler mechanical adjustment of the adjustable member on the crank. This replacement maintains the timing control function while eliminating the need to access the complex internal gear train, making adjustments much easier to perform.

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

Enables easy adjustment of the top nipper's operation time without opening the gearbox, improving workability and preventing dust contamination, while allowing precise positioning based on pre-determined data for optimal performance under varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a first crank (37) fixed on the nipper shaft (20) for rotation therewith, a second crank (38) fixed on the rotary shaft (27) for rotation therewith, and a link (39) connected between an end of the first crank (37) and an end of the second crank (38) by pins (40, 41), respectively. The first crank (37), the second crank (38) and the link (39) cooperate to form a four-bar linkage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFour-bar linkage: Four-Bar Linkage

Implementation Method 2

a position at which the second member (43) is fixed to the first member (42) is adjustable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdjustable linkage position: Four-Bar Linkage

Data Source

PatentEP2400048B1Combing machine
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP2400048B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP2400048B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP2400048B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The combing machine includes a nipper shaft, a nipper frame, a bottom nipper, a nipper arm, a top nipper, a rotary shaft, an eccentric member and a supporting member. The combing machine is characterized in that a first crank is fixed on the nipper shaft for rotation therewith and a second crank is fixed to the rotary shaft for rotation therewith. In addition, a link is connected between an end of the first crank and an end of the second crank by pins. The first crank, the second crank and the link form a four-bar linkage. Further, the second crank has a first member and a second member. Further, the first member'has a hole through which the pin is inserted. Further, the second member is fixed on the rotary shaft for rotation therewith. Further, a position at which the second member is fixed to the first member is adjustable.