Fibrous Body Processing Apparatus Humidification Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sheet manufacturing apparatuses, stopping the operation of the defibrating unit disrupts the supply of humidified air to upstream components, such as the coarsely-crushed-pieces reservoir, making it difficult to maintain optimal processing conditions and affecting the quality of the recycled paper produced.
Innovation Solution
A fibrous body processing apparatus is designed with a humidifying unit, a first processing unit for humidifying coarsely crushed pieces, a second processing unit for defibrating, and a returning passage that allows humidified air to circulate back to the humidifying unit, ensuring continuous humidification even when the defibrating unit is paused, thereby maintaining the quality of the recycled paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the defibrating unit is stopped, then the processing line can be paused for maintenance or breaks, but the humidified air supply to upstream components (coarsely-crushed-pieces reservoir) is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into multiple independent paths: a first air supply path that runs from the humidifying unit through the coarsely-crushed-pieces reservoir to the defibrating unit, and a second air supply path that runs from the humidifying unit through the returning passage to the coarsely-crushed-pieces reservoir. This segmentation allows the system to maintain humidification in the reservoir even when the defibrating unit is stopped, by using the second path independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The coarsely-crushed-pieces reservoir acts as an intermediary component that can be humidified independently. The returning passage serves as an intermediary air path that allows humidified air to reach the reservoir without requiring the defibrating unit to be operating. This intermediary structure enables the reservoir to maintain optimal humidity levels regardless of the defibrating unit's operational status.
2Manufacturing precision
If humidification is performed on coarsely crushed pieces, then the quality of recycled paper is enhanced, but the system complexity increases due to multiple humidifying units and air passages
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifying unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving multiple purposes through different air paths. It can humidify the coarsely-crushed-pieces reservoir via the first air supply path, and it can also supply humidified air through the returning passage to the same reservoir. This universal design allows a single humidifying unit to support multiple processing stages and operational modes without requiring separate humidification systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to the air supply by introducing the returning passage as a separate path. Instead of only supplying air linearly from the humidifying unit through the reservoir to the defibrating unit, the returning passage creates a dimensional loop that allows air to circulate back to the reservoir. This dimensional change enables independent control and continuous humidification without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
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 coarsely crushed pieces remain humidified, enhancing the quality of the recycled paper produced, especially when the apparatus is restarted after a pause, by maintaining optimal processing conditions through continuous air circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a humidifying unit that generates humidified air
Implementation Method 2
Humidified air is returned from the second supply passage or the second processing unit to the humidifying unit through the returning passage
Data Source
AI summary
A fibrous body processing apparatus includes a humidifying unit, a first processing unit, a second processing unit, a first supply passage, a second supply passage, and a returning passage. The humidifying unit generates humidified air. The first processing unit processes a material that contains fibers. The second processing unit processes the material that was processed at the first processing unit. Humidified air is supplied from the humidifying unit to the first processing unit through the first supply passage. Humidified air is supplied from the first processing unit to the second processing unit, together with the material, through the second supply passage. The returning passage includes an upstream-side end portion and a downstream-side end portion. Humidified air is returned from the second supply passage or the second processing unit to the humidifying unit through the returning passage.