Fiber Bundle Countershaft Coupling for Easier Shaft Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber bundle condensing devices lack ease of attachment and detachment of countershafts to the holding portions, complicating maintenance and replacement processes.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a design where countershafts are aligned in axial directions with adjacent holding portions, and a coupling mechanism that allows for easy attachment and detachment by ensuring a gap between the countershafts, facilitating their movement and integration with the holding portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the countershaft is made long to span between holding portions, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of attachment and detachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The countershaft is divided into multiple sections: a central long portion for structural integrity and two arm portions that can be independently moved. This segmentation allows the shaft to maintain strength while enabling easier attachment and detachment through movement of the arm portions relative to the holding portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm portions of the countershaft are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust position during attachment and detachment operations. This dynamic capability enables the long shaft to be easily installed and removed despite its length, as the arm portions can be positioned to clear the holding portions during these operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the dimension of the countershaft in the axial direction is increased to ensure proper engagement with holding portions, then the reliability of rotation is improved, but the ease of attachment and detachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of rotationVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The countershaft is segmented into a central portion for reliable rotation and movable arm portions for easy attachment. This allows the axial dimension to be sufficient for engagement while the movable sections enable straightforward installation and removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm portions act as intermediaries between the holding portions and the central rotation portion. They facilitate attachment and detachment by being movable, while the central portion maintains the reliable rotational engagement needed for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 simplifies the process of mounting and removing countershafts, eliminating the need for adjusting roller stand intervals and enhancing maintenance efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a suction unit configured to exert suction acting on the fiber bundle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4678795A1Fiber bundle condensing device
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP4678795A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678795A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4678795A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A fiber bundle condensing device (20) includes: a plurality of countershafts (30); a plurality of holding portions (502b); and a coupling (70). The countershafts (30) are disposed adjacent to each other in axial directions of the countershafts (30). The holding portions (502b) are disposed adjacent to each other in the axial directions of the countershafts (30) and each rotatably support the countershaft (30) via a bearing (52). The coupling (70) is disposed between the adjacent holding portions (502b). The coupling (70) couples the adjacent countershafts (30) and rotates together with the adjacent countershafts (30). Each of the adjacent holding portions (502b) has an opposing surface (502c). The opposing surface (502c) of one of the adjacent holding portions (502b) faces the opposing surface (502c) of the other of the adjacent holding portions (502b) in the axial directions of the countershafts (30). A dimension (L) of each of the countershafts (30) in the axial direction of the countershaft (30) is equal to or shorter than a distance (P1) between the opposing surfaces (502c) of the adjacent holding portions (502b).