Split Housing Doffer Gripper for Quick Membrane Replacement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grippers for bobbin or bobbin tube handling in spinning machines require complex and costly replacement of worn-out membranes, leading to prolonged downtimes and unnecessary wear on retaining tabs due to the need to remove the entire gripper from the doffer beam for membrane exchange.

Innovation Solution

The gripper design separates the holding element from the fastening element via a securing element, allowing the holding element with the clamping membrane to be removed and replaced without detaching from the doffer beam, thus minimizing downtime and preventing unnecessary wear on retaining tabs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the entire gripper is removed from the doffer beam to replace the clamping membrane, then the membrane can be replaced, but machine downtime increases and retaining tabs experience unnecessary wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane replacementVSAvoidmachine downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gripper is divided into separate components: the holding element containing the membrane, and the fastening element with retaining tabs. The securing element connects these parts. This segmentation allows the holding element with the membrane to be replaced independently without removing the entire gripper from the doffer beam, thus reducing machine downtime and preventing wear on the retaining tabs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the entire gripper is removed from the doffer beam to replace the clamping membrane, then the membrane can be replaced, but unnecessary wear occurs on the retaining tabs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane replacementVSAvoidretaining tab wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gripper is divided into separate components: the holding element containing the membrane, and the fastening element with retaining tabs. The securing element connects these parts. This segmentation allows the holding element with the membrane to be replaced independently without removing the entire gripper from the doffer beam, thus reducing machine downtime and preventing wear on the retaining tabs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the holding element is permanently fixed to the fastening element, then structural stability is improved, but membrane replacement becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripper structural stabilityVSAvoidmembrane replacement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The gripper is divided into separate components: the holding element containing the membrane, and the fastening element with retaining tabs. The securing element connects these parts. This segmentation allows the holding element with the membrane to be replaced independently without removing the entire gripper from the doffer beam, thus reducing machine downtime and preventing wear on the retaining tabs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the holding element and fastening element is made dynamic through the securing element with snap connections. This allows the connection to be stable during operation but easily separable when membrane replacement is needed, providing both structural stability and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables quick and efficient replacement of the clamping membrane without removing the gripper from the doffer beam, reducing machine downtime and ensuring a consistent clamping effect while preventing unnecessary wear on retaining tabs.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping element in the form of a rubber membrane, which can be adjusted via a pneumatic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

grasp the end region of the coil or coil sleeve inserted into the interior of the holding element from the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

Two elastic retaining tabs are arranged on the fastening element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

The holding or clamping effect of the holding tabs is increased or supported by a steel spring embedded below the holding tabs in the fastening element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3215659B1Doffer gripper having a split housing
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP3215659B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3215659B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3215659B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a gripper (1) for gripping a bobbin or bobbin sleeve (3), said gripper (1) comprising a fastening element (11) and a cylindrical holding element (2) that has a longitudinal axis (10); the holding element (2) has an inner wall (4) and an outer wall (20); a pneumatically operated clamping element (5) to which compressed air can be supplied via an air duct (12) is arranged on the inner wall (4). In order to simplify the design of the gripper (1), the holding element (2) is retained on the fastening element (11) by a securing element (19) that surrounds part of the outer wall (20) of the holding element (2).