High-Temperature Furnace Shutter Layout for Fast Fiber Joining

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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 and reduces 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 changes, enabling direct connection of the feed and take-up bobbins through a guide cord loop, thus eliminating the need for temperature adjustments and vacuuming during the joining process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the furnace body temperature is adjusted and vacuuming is performed during reinforcement fiber joining operation, then the joining can be completed, but the time required to resume the high-temperature process is elongated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoining operation completionVSAvoidtime to resume high-temperature process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The furnace system is divided into three independently vacuumable chambers: the furnace body chamber, the first bobbin chamber, and the second bobbin chamber. Each chamber has its own vacuum path and shutter control, allowing the bobbin chambers to be vacuumed and sealed independently from the furnace body. This segmentation enables the joining operation to proceed without requiring the furnace body to be cooled or re-vacuumed, thus resolving the time loss while maintaining joining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the feed bobbin and take-up bobbin are detached and reattached during joining operation, then the fiber can be joined, but the productivity of the high-temperature process is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber joining capabilityVSAvoidhigh-temperature process output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bobbin chambers are prepared in advance with vacuum sealing capabilities and shutter mechanisms. The feed bobbin and take-up bobbin can be pre-positioned and the chambers pre-sealed, allowing the joining operation to occur without interrupting the furnace body's high-temperature process. This preliminary preparation of the vacuum system enables rapid bobbin replacement and fiber joining, maintaining high productivity while ensuring reliable fiber connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the furnace body is vacuumed during joining operation, then the vacuum atmosphere is maintained, but the temperature adjustment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum atmosphere maintenanceVSAvoidtemperature adjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum system is segmented into independent paths for the furnace body and the bobbin chambers. Each chamber can be vacuumed, sealed, and operated independently through its own shutter and vacuum pump. This allows the furnace body to maintain its high-temperature vacuum atmosphere without being affected by vacuuming operations in the bobbin chambers, eliminating temperature adjustment time while maintaining vacuum reliability.

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 the productivity of the reinforcement fiber processing by automating the connection of the feed and take-up bobbins, eliminating the need for temperature and vacuuming cycles during the joining operation.

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

Implementation Method 3

a first shutter that opens and closes a first communication path (first opening) to connect the inside of the first bobbin chamber and the inside of the furnace body to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical motion:

Implementation Method 4

a first bobbin support member that is set in the first bobbin chamber and detachably and rotatably supports the feed bobbin so that the feed bobbin is rotatable around its axial center

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentUS20150218692A1High-temperature processing furnace and reinforcement fiber joining method

Publication Date: 2015.08.06 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.