Fibre Feed Device Using Lorentz Force to Reduce Wall Friction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber feeding systems for continuous fiber materials, especially those with electrically conductive fibers, face challenges in preventing damage during transport due to friction with the inner walls of tubular systems, particularly during movements and kinking, which can lead to material degradation.

Innovation Solution

A tubular fiber line system with an electrical contact device to induce a current flow parallel to the conveying direction and a magnetic device generating a magnetic field, utilizing the Lorentz force to push the fibers away from the inner walls, minimizing contact and reducing frictional forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a closed tubular fiber line system is used to transport fiber material, then the fiber material can be conveyed from the fiber magazine to the laying head, but the fibers rub against the inner walls of the tube during rapid movements or kinks, leading to fiber damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber material integrityVSAvoidfriction damage from inner walls
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical fluid pressure system with an electromagnetic system. Electrical contact devices apply current to the conductive fiber material, and magnetic devices generate magnetic fields that interact with the current to produce Lorentz forces, substituting mechanical fluid pressure with electromagnetic actuation to move the fiber material through the tube without wall contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the fiber material during transport by applying electrical current and magnetic fields. The fiber material transitions from a passive transported object to an actively controlled element whose motion is governed by electromagnetic parameters (current flow, magnetic field strength, Lorentz force magnitude) rather than fluid pressure alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If fluid pressure is applied to push fiber material through the pipeline, then the fiber material can be transported, but rapid movements and strong kinks cause fibers to rub against inner walls despite fluid application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber material transport efficiencyVSAvoidfiber damage during rapid movements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fluid pressure-based mechanical transport with electromagnetic actuation. Electrical contact devices and magnetic devices work together to generate Lorentz forces that propel the conductive fiber material through the tube, eliminating the need for fluid pressure and the associated problems of fiber-wall contact during dynamic movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrical current and magnetic fields as intermediary elements between the drive system and the fiber material. The electrical contact devices apply current to the fiber material, and the magnetic fields generated by magnetic devices interact with this current to produce Lorentz forces, using electromagnetic fields as intermediaries to transmit force without direct mechanical contact with tube walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the laying head is made freely movable in space, then flexibility in fiber placement is improved, but the distance between fiber magazine and laying head changes constantly, causing unintentional forces on the fiber material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaying head mobilityVSAvoidunintentional forces on fiber material
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive mechanical fiber transport (relying on fluid pressure) with an active electromagnetic system. The electrical contact devices and magnetic devices along the tube can dynamically adjust and apply Lorentz forces to compensate for changes in distance and position, maintaining controlled fiber material transport despite the laying head's freedom of movement in space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively prevents fiber material contact with the inner walls of the transport system, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining material integrity even during relative movements and curved paths, offering a safer and more reliable transport method.

Implementation Method 1

a current flow is brought about in the continuous fiber material. The current flow is effected in such a way that the direction of the current flow is effected essentially parallel to the conveying direction... a magnetic device which is designed to generate a magnetic field in the inner passage of the fiber line... the continuous fiber material now interacts with the magnetic field in such a way that a force acts on the continuous fiber material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2923985B1Fibre feed device
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FÜR LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT E V
  • EP2923985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2923985B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A fiber feed device (5) for feeding continuous fiber material (6) from a fiber material storage unit (2) to a processing unit (4) located remotely from the fiber material storage unit (2), wherein the continuous fiber material (6) contains at least a partially electrically conductive material with a magnetic device (10) designed to generate a magnetic field in an inner passage (8) of a fiber line (7), wherein a current-carrying continuous fiber material (6) interacts with a magnetic field in such a way that a force (KL) acts on a continuous fiber material (6) in the inner passage (8) of a fiber line (7) during conveying.