High-Temperature Furnace Shutter for Bobbin Chamber Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing high-temperature processing furnaces for reinforcement fibers require time-consuming temperature adjustments and vacuuming processes during the reinforcement fiber joining operation, which elongates the time needed to resume the high-temperature process, thereby reducing productivity.

Innovation Solution

The high-temperature processing furnace incorporates shutters to control communication paths between the furnace body and bobbin chambers, allowing for synchronized rotation and vacuuming without temperature adjustments, enabling direct connection of the feed and take-up bobbins through a guide cord loop, thus automating the fiber joining process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the feed bobbin becomes empty during high temperature process and joining operation is carried out by detaching and reattaching bobbins, then the reinforcement fiber can be joined, but the internal temperature must be decreased and increased again, which elongates the time needed to resume the high-temperature process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebobbin replacement operationVSAvoidtime to resume high-temperature process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The furnace is divided into a high-temperature processing chamber and a bobbin chamber that can be independently vacuumed and temperature-controlled. This segmentation allows the bobbin replacement to occur in the bobbin chamber without affecting the temperature and vacuum state of the high-temperature processing chamber, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the inside of the furnace body is vacuumed and temperature is adjusted during bobbin replacement, then the vacuum atmosphere is maintained for high-temperature processing, but the productivity is reduced due to the time required for these operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum atmosphere maintenanceVSAvoidhigh-temperature process productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two independently controllable chambers: the high-temperature processing chamber that maintains vacuum and temperature, and the bobbin chamber that can be opened to atmosphere for bobbin replacement. This allows reliable vacuum atmosphere maintenance in the processing chamber while improving productivity by eliminating the need to vacuum and reheat the entire furnace during bobbin changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Empty bobbins are pre-loaded into the bobbin chamber and vacuumed beforehand. When a full bobbin is replaced, the pre-vacuumed empty bobbin is already in position, eliminating the need for time-consuming vacuuming and temperature adjustment operations during the replacement process, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the feed bobbin is detached and reattached during the process, then continuous production is enabled, but the complex operations of temperature adjustment and vacuuming reduce operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous production capabilityVSAvoidbobbin replacement operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the furnace into a high-temperature processing chamber and a separately vacuumed bobbin chamber, the system enables continuous production through straightforward bobbin replacement operations. The bobbin chamber can be opened to atmosphere for easy bobbin changes while the processing chamber maintains its vacuum and temperature, making the operation simple and efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration significantly shortens the time required to resume the high-temperature process and enhances productivity by eliminating the need for temperature adjustments and vacuuming during the fiber joining operation, allowing for automatic connection of the feed and take-up bobbins.

Implementation Method 1

The inside of the furnace body, the inside of the first bobbin chamber, and the inside of the second bobbin chamber are vacuumed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The internal temperature of the furnace body is increased to a predetermined processing temperature and is kept thereat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10006119B2High-temperature processing furnace and reinforcement fiber joining method
Publication Date: 2018.06.26 IHI CORP

AI summary

Arranged in the middle of an upper communication sleeve 21 is a first shutter 25 that is moved back and forth in a horizontal open-close direction to open and close a first communication path 23 that makes the inside of a first bobbin chamber 11 and the inside of a furnace body 3 communicate with each other. Arranged in a middle of a lower communication sleeve 53 is a second shutter 57 that is moved back and forth in a horizontal open-close direction to open and close a second communication path 55 that makes a second bobbin chamber 33 and the inside of the furnace body 3 communicate with each other.