Finger Holder with Variable Joints for Tobacco Strand Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the tobacco processing industry, existing devices for guiding and shaping filter tow strands require complex and time-consuming adjustments when changing product specifications, leading to inefficiencies in exchanging fingers and maintaining quality due to wear and tear or dirt accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support element, a finger holder, and a fastening system featuring swivel arms and a four-bar linkage kinematic, allowing for adjustable positioning of joints to facilitate quick and simple exchange of finger arrangements, along with a module for storing specific settings to maintain reproducible adjustments across different product specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the finger holder is designed with fixed joints on the support element, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different product specifications is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the joint positions on the support element variable rather than fixed. The joint can be moved to different positions on the support element, allowing the four-bar linkage mechanism to adapt to different product specifications. This transforms a static structure into a dynamic one that can reconfigure itself for different production requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single finger holder device that can serve multiple product specifications through the variable joint position. By allowing the joint to be positioned at different locations on the support element, the same device structure can accommodate various filter rod formats and dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated devices.
2Ease of operation
If the finger assembly is firmly attached to the finger holder, then the reliability of the attachment is high, but the ease of replacement is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device applies the dynamics principle by providing a movable fastening element that can switch between a locked state (for reliable attachment) and an unlocked state (for easy replacement). The fastening element can be moved along the fastening direction to release or secure the finger assembly, allowing quick changes while maintaining secure operation during use.
3Productivity
If complex adjustments are made for product specification changes, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple joint positions on the support element, each optimized for specific product specifications. When a specification change is needed, the operator simply needs to move the joint to the pre-determined position rather than performing complex adjustments, thus maintaining precision while significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the joint position parameter on the support element to adapt to different product specifications. This single parameter change (joint position) controls the geometry of the four-bar linkage mechanism, enabling the device to accommodate different filter rod formats without complex adjustments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for holding a finger arrangement (2) for guiding and shaping a strand of tobacco processing industry is described, comprising a support element (12), a finger holder (10) arranged on the support element (12), and a fastening device (50, 52) designed for releasably fastening a finger arrangement (2) to the finger holder (10), wherein two spaced-apart finger arrangements are each connected at a first end via a joint (18;22) pivot arms (14, 16) are provided on the support element (12) and at a second end via a joint (20, 24) on the finger holder (10) for pivoting the finger holder (10) between a working position and a parking position, wherein at least one joint (18) of at least one pivot arm (14) is arranged so as to be positionally variable on the support element (12) and/or on the finger holder and/or on the pivot arm, so that, depending on the position of the at least one positionally variable joint (18), the finger holder (10) can be pivoted from the working position into one of at least two different parking positions.