Cross-lapper Roller Stabilizing Fiber Web Reversal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crosslappers face issues with web fibers coming off the belt during reversal, leading to non-uniformity and mechanical weakness, which is exacerbated by the need for costly suction means and perforated cylinders to maintain web integrity at higher speeds.

Innovation Solution

A rotating element, such as a roller, is positioned above the reversal zone to create a Magnus effect overpressure, preventing web fibers from being dislodged by centrifugal forces and air flow, ensuring uniform web formation without the need for suction means or perforated cylinders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the spreader operates at higher speeds to increase productivity, then production efficiency is improved, but web fibers detach from the conveyor belt during reversal causing non-uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidweb uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A rotating element is positioned above the turning zone to generate a counter-pressure field that opposes the centrifugal forces and airflow induced during web reversal. This preliminary counter-action prevents fiber detachment before it occurs, maintaining web uniformity even at high operating speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating element's speed is controlled to dynamically adjust the counter-pressure magnitude based on operating conditions. By varying rotational speed, the system adapts the stabilizing force to match different production speeds and web types, optimizing both productivity and web quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If suction devices with perforated conveyor belts are used to prevent fiber detachment, then web integrity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex suction system with perforated belts, replacing it with a simpler rotating element that generates stabilizing pressure through rotation alone, thereby maintaining web integrity while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The complex mechanical suction system is replaced by a simpler rotating element that uses aerodynamic pressure generation through rotation. This substitution maintains the essential function of preventing fiber detachment while significantly simplifying the mechanical structure

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

3Productivity

If the spreader operates at higher speeds, then productivity is improved, but the web structure becomes less stable during reversal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidweb stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating element's rotational speed is dynamically adjusted to match operating conditions. At higher production speeds, the rotation rate increases to generate sufficient counter-pressure, maintaining web stability across a wide range of productivity levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating element creates a stabilizing pressure field in advance during the reversal process, countering the destabilizing effects of high-speed operation before they can compromise web structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-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

This solution maintains web integrity and uniformity at higher production speeds, reducing operational complexity and costs by stabilizing the web through controlled air flow and mechanical support, resulting in a higher quality final product.

Implementation Method 1

By providing a rotating element, in particular a rotating roller, above or substantially above the turning area or region to create a kind of local overpressure by Magnus effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnus effect: Magnus Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3592887B1Cross-lapper
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 ANDRITZ ASSELIN THIBEAU
  • EP3592887B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A crosslapper intended to supply a layer of fibres as output on the basis of a web (1) of fibres supplied as input, the crosslapper superimposing sections of the web in order to form the output layer and comprising a front belt (2), a rear belt (4) and return means (3) intended to return the web of fibres so that it can be transitioned from a state in which it is supported by the front belt to a state in which it is supported by the rear belt, characterised in that a rotationally driven element, for example, a rotationally driven roller (20) or cylinder, is disposed substantially above the region of the web in which the return is performed.