Housing Unit Roller Seal for Fiber Web Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing paper recycling systems lack an effective configuration to prevent fiber or particulate from spreading between the housing unit and the mesh belt, leading to material leakage and reduced durability of the conveyance unit.

Innovation Solution

A sheet manufacturing apparatus with a housing unit that covers the drum unit, contacts the web on the downstream side, and interacts with the conveyance unit upstream, utilizing rollers and pile seals to suppress material spreading and enhance web conveyance without breaking or damaging the web, ensuring material stays within the housing unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the housing unit covers the drum unit without contacting the conveyance unit, then material can pass freely, but fiber and particulate spread outside the housing unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial spreadingVSAvoidweb conveyance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A roller is introduced as an intermediary element between the housing unit and the web. The roller contacts the web to guide and convey it through the housing unit, preventing material spreading while ensuring reliable web transport without direct contact between the housing unit and the web itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If the housing unit contacts the conveyance unit to prevent material spreading, then fiber and particulate are contained, but the web cannot pass through

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial spreadingVSAvoidweb conveyance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing unit is divided into multiple sections: a first housing portion that contacts the conveyance unit to prevent material spreading, and a second housing portion that forms a through-hole allowing the web to pass through. This segmentation enables both material containment and web conveyance simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of substance

If the housing unit contacts the web directly, then material spreading is suppressed, but the web may break or surface damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial spreadingVSAvoidweb integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The roller serves as a mediator between the housing unit and the web. It contacts the web to guide and contain material while its smooth rotating surface prevents direct harsh contact that could break or damage the web, thus maintaining web integrity while suppressing material spreading

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3088584B1Sheet production device
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3088584B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3088584B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3088584B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Discharge of fiber and other particulate to the outside of a housing unit is prevented. A drum unit in which material including at least fiber passes through apertures; a conveyance unit configured to deposit the airborne material that passed the drum unit as a web and convey the web; a housing unit configured to cover the drum unit, contact the web on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the web, and contact the conveyance unit on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the web from the downstream contact position; and a forming unit that forms a sheet using the web.