Spinning Machine Fiber Bundle Condensing Device Countershaft Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fiber bundle condensing devices in spinning machines face difficulties in maintaining the countershafts due to the complexity of aligning the rotational positions of shaft couplings, making it challenging to operate bolts for coupling and uncoupling, especially when the device is stopped, as the bolt operation is hindered by the rotational positions of the shaft couplings.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a detected portion on at least one of the countershafts or the shaft coupling, a rotational position detector, a controller, and an operation unit that aligns the shaft coupling within an operational range when the countershafts stop rotating, allowing easy access and operation of the bolts for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the fiber bundle condensing device includes multiple countershafts arranged side by side to drive the long frame base, then the device can cover the required operational length, but the maintenance complexity increases due to difficulty in aligning and operating bolts on shaft couplings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe base lengthVSAvoidmaintenance of countershafts
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary action by automatically positioning the shaft coupling to a predetermined rotational position (where bolts are accessible) before stopping the countershaft. This ensures that when maintenance is needed, the bolts are already in an operable state, eliminating the need for manual alignment during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a sensor to detect the rotational position of the shaft coupling and provides feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine when the coupling is properly positioned and to control the stopping of the countershaft, ensuring bolts are in an accessible position for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If the countershaft stops at random rotational positions during operation cessation, then the stopping is simple and quick, but the bolt operation becomes difficult or impossible due to unfavorable rotational positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to stop countershaftVSAvoidbolt operation accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of stopping immediately at random positions, the system performs preliminary positioning to bring the shaft coupling to a predetermined rotational position where bolts are accessible. This preliminary action ensures that even though stopping takes slightly longer, the bolts are guaranteed to be in an operable position for immediate maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor detects the rotational position of the shaft coupling and provides feedback to the controller, which controls the stopping process to ensure the coupling arrives at the predetermined position where bolts are accessible. This feedback mechanism guarantees bolt operability while maintaining efficient stopping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If manual alignment of shaft coupling rotational position is required for maintenance, then the system structure remains simple without sensors or controllers, but the maintenance process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidmaintenance time and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor provides feedback on the rotational position of the shaft coupling to the controller, enabling automatic positioning and stopping at the predetermined position where bolts are accessible. This feedback system eliminates manual alignment requirements, significantly reducing maintenance time and complexity despite adding some system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-positioning and self-stopping at the maintenance-friendly rotational position through the controller and sensor. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operator intervention to align the shaft coupling, making maintenance much more efficient even though the system structure is slightly more complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures that the shaft couplings are positioned in an operable range when the countershafts stop, facilitating easy maintenance and operation of the bolts, thereby simplifying the maintenance process and preventing fiber bundle breakage during stoppage.

Implementation Method 1

a rotational position detector outputting rotational position information of the countershafts by detecting the detected portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Implementation Method 2

a suction portion performing a suction operation on the fiber bundle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4279645B1Fiber bundle condensing device of spinning machine
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP4279645B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4279645B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4279645B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A fiber bundle condensing device (10) of a spinning machine (100) includes a condensing unit, a plurality of countershafts (20), a countershaft driving motor (103), and a shaft coupling (70). The shaft coupling (70) couples the countershafts (20) with a bolt (80). The fiber bundle condensing device (10) further includes a detected portion, a rotational position detector (30), a controller (40), and an operation unit (41). An operational range is defined as a range where a rotational position of the shaft coupling (70) is located and the bolt (80) used for a coupling main body (73) is operable from a front of the fiber bundle condensing device (10). The controller (40), when the stop command is input, controls the driving of the countershaft driving motor (103) such that the shaft coupling (70) is located in the operation range at a time when the countershafts (20) stop rotating.