Feed Belt Alignment Roll Adjustment for Planar Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planar washing machines face challenges in efficiently feeding and aligning textile products, such as rugs and carpets, due to inadequate feeding systems that often result in misalignment and insufficient friction during the washing process.
Innovation Solution
A feed device with a roll arrangement comprising parallel support rolls and an adjustable alignment roll, along with an endless feed belt, is designed to ensure proper support and alignment of textile products. The alignment roll can be skewed to guide the feed belt transversely, and adjusting actuators control its position, while an edge sensing device and nip roll enhance friction and feeding efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple feed device structure is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and durability is improved, but feeding precision and alignment capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment roll is made adjustable in the horizontal direction, allowing the feed belt to be dynamically repositioned laterally. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the simple mechanical structure to achieve precise alignment and feeding positioning without requiring complex manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and feeding precision
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral position of the feed belt is changed by adjusting the alignment roll's horizontal position. By changing the geometric parameter (lateral position) through a simple mechanical adjustment mechanism, the system achieves precise feeding alignment while maintaining structural simplicity and low manufacturing cost
2Manufacturing precision
If the alignment roll is made adjustable in horizontal direction, then lateral positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism for the alignment roll uses simple mechanical components rather than complex electronic or automated systems. This mechanical substitution approach achieves lateral positioning precision while minimizing device complexity, as the adjustment can be performed manually or with basic mechanical actuators
3Productivity
If friction between textile product and feed device is increased, then feeding effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed belt is provided with a specific surface structure in the region contacting the textile product to locally increase friction. This localized quality enhancement improves feeding effectiveness only where needed, without requiring high friction throughout the entire system, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining productive feeding performance
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 feed device provides effective support and alignment for textile products, ensuring proper feeding and increased friction, resulting in improved processing efficiency and durability, with a simple and cost-effective design that maintains actuator longevity by protecting them from moisture and dirt.
Implementation Method 1
ensures generation of sufficient friction between the textile product and the feed device
Implementation Method 2
The nip roll presses the textile product against an outer surface of the feed belt and thereby increases friction between them thus ensuring proper feeding
Data Source
AI summary
A feed device, planar washing machine and method. The feed device (15) comprises roll arrangement (21) provided with support rolls (16, 17) and an alignment roll (18). An endless belt (13) is arranged around the rolls. The alignment roll can be moved (C) in order to guide the feed belt to move into desired direction when it is moved laterally.