Stationary Elastic Fiber Guide for Roller Stretching

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing roller stretching arrangements in staple fiber processing machines face issues with constant wear and manufacturing tolerances of fiber guide straps, leading to non-uniformity and increased energy consumption, which negatively impacts productivity.

Innovation Solution

A roller stretching arrangement featuring a stationary, elastic fiber guide element that adapts to the contour of an endless apron, reducing the need for active motion and energy consumption, while ensuring reliable guidance of staple fibers through the use of a convexly curved fiber guide element and a friction-reducing coating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fiber guide straps are used to guide the staple fiber structure, then fiber guidance is achieved, but the straps are subject to constant wear and manufacturing tolerances affecting uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber guidance uniformityVSAvoidfiber guide strap lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the fiber guide element stationary rather than moving. The stationary fiber guide element with friction-reducing coating eliminates the wear issues associated with moving fiber guide straps while maintaining effective fiber guidance throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical fiber guide strap system with a stationary fiber guide element combined with a friction-reducing coating. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear mechanism while maintaining the guidance function through reduced friction between the stationary element and the moving fiber structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If fiber guide straps are used to guide fibers, then fiber guidance is achieved, but energy is required for their movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber guidanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the fiber guide element stationary rather than moving. The stationary fiber guide element with friction-reducing coating eliminates the wear issues associated with moving fiber guide straps while maintaining effective fiber guidance throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical fiber guide strap system with a stationary fiber guide element combined with a friction-reducing coating. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear mechanism while maintaining the guidance function through reduced friction between the stationary element and the moving fiber structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If fiber guide straps are used, then fiber guidance is achieved, but exchange of straps requires time reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber guidanceVSAvoidmachine productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the fiber guide element stationary rather than moving. The stationary fiber guide element with friction-reducing coating eliminates the wear issues associated with moving fiber guide straps while maintaining effective fiber guidance throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical fiber guide strap system with a stationary fiber guide element combined with a friction-reducing coating. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear mechanism while maintaining the guidance function through reduced friction between the stationary element and the moving fiber structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If conventional fiber guide straps are used, then fiber guidance is achieved, but individual fibers may detach in the draft zone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber structure integrityVSAvoidfiber detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fiber guide strap system with a stationary fiber guide element combined with a friction-reducing coating. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear mechanism while maintaining the guidance function through reduced friction between the stationary element and the moving fiber structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the friction parameter by applying a friction-reducing coating to the stationary fiber guide element. This parameter change reduces the friction between the guide element and fibers, preventing fiber detachment while maintaining effective guidance through the draft zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 minimizes fiber detachment, maintains uniformity, reduces energy consumption, and extends the lifespan of the fiber guide elements, enhancing the overall productivity and quality of the staple fiber processing.

Implementation Method 1

a stationary, elastic fiber guide element that adapts to the contour of an endless apron

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a friction-reducing coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the staple fiber strand and the infeed roller being carried along by means of frictional engagement by rotation of the infeed counter-roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrictional engagement: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2980286B1Roller stretching assembly of a workstation of a textile machine that processes staple fibres and textile machine using the same

Publication Date: 2019.09.11 DEUTSCHE INSTITUTE FUR TEXTIL UND FASERFORSCHUNG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a roller stretching arrangement (1) of a work station of a staple fiber processing textile machine, in particular a spinning machine, a roving machine or a knitting machine, for stretching at least one strand-shaped staple fiber assembly (3) entering the roller stretching arrangement (1) in a transport direction (T), wherein the roller stretching arrangement (1) has at least one stretching zone which is bounded by an inlet-side roller arrangement (6) and an outlet-side roller arrangement (7), wherein the inlet-side roller arrangement (6) comprises an inlet roller (8) and an inlet counter-roller (9) cooperating with it, and the outlet-side roller arrangement (7) comprises an outlet roller (10) and an outlet counter-roller (11) cooperating with it, and wherein the roller stretching arrangement (1) comprises an endless belt (12),which encircles the inlet roller (8) and a belt guide (19) spaced apart from the inlet roller (8) in the transport direction (T) and is guided by it. According to the invention, it is proposed that the endless belt (12) is associated with at least one stationary fiber guide element (13) which is elastically designed at least in sections, wherein the fiber guide element (13) presses the staple fiber composite (3) against a section of the endless belt (12) running between the inlet roller (8) and the belt guide (19) during operation of the roller stretching arrangement (1) and thereby adapts at least in sections to the contour of the endless belt (12).