Horizontal dyeing head for edges of leather pieces and finished leather articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dyeing technologies for leather edges, such as vertically arranged dyeing heads, complicate the dyeing process by making it difficult to monitor the dyeing result and often result in edging on both sides of the leather piece, with complex mechanisms and restricted access for finished articles.

Innovation Solution

A horizontal dyeing head with a vertically arranged delivery screw pump, an angled magnetic coupling, and an adjustable dyeing shaft allows for direct monitoring and prevents edging by enabling easy access and quick color changes, featuring a simplified design for efficient dye application and cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a vertically arranged dyeing head is used, then the dyeing process can be automated, but the operator has difficulty monitoring the dyeing result and quality control is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of dyeing processVSAvoidmonitoring of dyeing result
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional vertical dyeing head configuration by positioning the dyeing shaft horizontally. This inversion allows the operator to directly observe the dyeing process from the front, transforming the previously hidden side-application into a visible front-facing operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If a vertically arranged dyeing head with side application area is used, then the dyeing process can be performed, but edging forms on both front and rear parts of the piece

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing process executionVSAvoidedge quality control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the dyeing shaft from vertical to horizontal orientation, the patent changes the application direction from side-facing to front-facing. This ensures dye is applied only to the intended edge area rather than wrapping around to create unwanted edging on front and rear surfaces, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If a complex mechanism with eccentric pump and channel system is used, then dye can be delivered to the dyeing shaft, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedye delivery capabilityVSAvoidmechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex eccentric pump and channel system from the dye delivery mechanism. By simplifying the structure to use a direct magnetic drive system, it maintains the essential dye delivery function while removing unnecessary mechanical complexity, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If a vertically arranged dyeing head with restricted access is used, then the dyeing process can be performed, but finished articles are very difficult to dye

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing process executionVSAvoidaccess to dyeing area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the dyeing head orientation from vertical to horizontal, which fundamentally changes the accessibility of the dyeing area. This repositioning opens up the workspace, allowing operators easy access to dye finished articles from the front, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining productive dyeing process execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The horizontal dyeing head simplifies the dyeing process, prevents edging on both sides of the leather piece, and allows for easy cleaning and color changes, enhancing operational efficiency and quality control.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetic coupling consists of magnets for the dyeing shaft arranged radially and incorporated into a magnet holder which is attached to the dyeing shaft axis, and magnets for the motor also being arranged radially and incorporated into a second magnet holder attached to the motor axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a vertically arranged delivery screw pump enclosed in a pipe that is immersed in a dye container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew pump mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 3

an angled magnetic coupling (18) is located, said angled magnetic coupling comprising magnets built into a first magnet holder and magnets built into a second magnet holder, whereby axes of said first magnet holder and said second magnet holder are arranged at an angle of 94 degrees relative to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAngled magnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4090775B1Horizontal dyeing head for edges of leather pieces and finished leather articles
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 PL PROJECT LTD
  • EP4090775B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4090775B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP4090775B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A horizontal dyeing head comprising a vertically arranged delivery screw pump (9) immersed in a dye container (1), a guide bearing (19) arranged coaxially at the upper end of said delivery screw pump (9), a plenum (11) in which an angled magnetic coupling (18) is located, said angled magnetic coupling (18) comprising magnets built into a first magnet holder (18.1) and magnets built into a second magnet holder (18.2), whereby axes of said first magnet holder (18.1) and said second magnet holder (18.2) are arranged at an angle of 94 degrees relative to each other. A horizontal dyeing shaft (7) having horizontal channel (12) ) formed along its axis is in communication with the plenum (11) and a suction pump (14) for returning the excess dye from the outer surface of the horizontal dyeing shaft (7) into the dye container (1) is provided.