Filter Tow Guide Holder With Quick-Action Module Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter rod machines in the tobacco processing industry require extensive time and effort for maintenance and format changes due to the need to undo and reattach screw connections for finger replacements, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with a holder that pivots between working and waiting positions, featuring a module with quick-action fastening and air line coupling systems, allowing for easy detachment, maintenance, and adaptation of fingers without the need for screw connections, enabling quick format changes and improved productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw connections are used for attaching fingers to the holder, then the attachment is secure and reliable, but the maintenance and format change time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: fingers are attached to carriers, and carriers are attached to the holder via quick-action fastening devices. This segmentation allows the finger-carrier assembly to be quickly removed and replaced without dealing with multiple screw connections, thereby reducing maintenance time while maintaining secure attachment through the quick-action mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-action fastening device enables dynamic attachment and detachment of carriers to the holder. The mechanism transitions from a static screwed connection to a dynamic quick-connect system that can be rapidly engaged and disengaged, significantly reducing the time required for format changes and maintenance while ensuring reliable attachment during operation
2Ease of repair
If multiple screw connections are undone and restored for finger replacement, then the fingers can be maintained or replaced, but the process requires a great deal of time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The finger assembly is segmented into fingers attached to carriers, which are then attached to the holder. This creates a hierarchical modular structure where the entire finger-carrier unit can be replaced as one assembly using the quick-action fastening device, eliminating the need to individually remove and reinstall multiple screw connections and significantly simplifying the replacement process
Solution Approach 2:
Fingers are pre-attached to carriers in advance, creating pre-assembled finger-carrier units. When maintenance or format changes are needed, these pre-prepared units can be quickly swapped by simply operating the quick-action fastening device, rather than assembling fingers to carriers during the maintenance process itself, thereby reducing the time and effort required
3Ease of repair
If the holder is made pivotable for better accessibility during maintenance, then serviceability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with pivotability, transforming from a fixed static structure to a dynamic one that can be rotated between a working position during filter production and a maintenance position that provides better accessibility. This dynamic capability improves serviceability while the pivot mechanism itself adds only moderate complexity compared to the benefits gained
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (2) has fingers (4) for guiding and forming filter tow strands, and a holder (6) for holding the fingers. The holder comprises a pivoting device (8) for pivoting the holder between a work position (A) and a maintenance position. The fingers are fastened at a module (10) attached to the holder. The holder comprises a module retainer (12) with a quick connector device (14). The module is detachably fastened at the module retainer by the quick connector device. An air line system is provided with a central air line coupling and supplies pressurized air to air nozzles.