Labyrinth Seal for Suction Drum Drive Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing compression devices for fiber materials on spinning machines face issues with fibers detaching and getting stuck in the axial gap between the suction drum and the drive element, leading to disrupted drive torque transmission and increased maintenance costs due to the need for frequent removal of accumulated fibers.
Innovation Solution
A labyrinth-like seal is implemented between the suction drum and the drive element, using elevations and recesses to create a narrow sealing gap that prevents fibers from entering the axial gap and ensures continuous drive torque transmission, thereby reducing maintenance efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the suction drum and drive element are arranged with an axial gap, then the drive element can be mounted and driven, but fibers detach and accumulate in the gap causing disrupted drive torque transmission
Solution Approach 1:
A labyrinth seal is introduced as an intermediary structure between the suction drum and drive element. The seal consists of a sealing element with a labyrinthine path that extends in the axial direction, preventing fibers from directly entering the axial gap while allowing the drive element to rotate. This mediator structure blocks the harmful fiber accumulation path without interfering with the drive torque transmission function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is divided into multiple segments or teeth that create a labyrinthine path. This segmentation breaks the direct axial gap into multiple narrow passages, making it difficult for fibers to traverse from the suction drum surface to the drive element while maintaining the rotational drive function.
2Reliability
If fibers accumulate on the outer circumference of the suction drum, then the inner surface of the friction wheel is no longer in direct contact with the suction drum, but removing the drive element for cleaning causes high maintenance costs and downtimes
Solution Approach 1:
The labyrinth seal acts as a protective intermediary that prevents fibers from reaching the critical contact surface between the drive element and suction drum. By blocking the fiber accumulation path at the seal location, the seal protects the drive interface from contamination, eliminating the need for frequent disassembly and cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth seal structure is designed to be self-cleaning or self-maintaining. The labyrinthine path with its multiple turns and narrow passages prevents fiber accumulation in the first place, and any fibers that do enter are trapped in the seal structure rather than reaching the drive interface. This self-protecting design eliminates the need for manual intervention and frequent maintenance shutdowns.
3Reliability
If a seal structure is added between the suction drum and drive element, then fibers are prevented from entering the axial gap, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed as a thin-walled structure with labyrinthine internal geometry. This thin-film approach provides effective fiber blocking while minimizing the added mass and structural complexity. The seal element can be made from flexible or semi-rigid materials that conform to the rotating interface without requiring heavy support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to block the axial gap with a simple axial barrier, the seal uses a labyrinthine path that extends in the axial direction but creates radial and circumferential components to the fiber blockage. This multi-dimensional approach to sealing provides effective fiber prevention while keeping the seal structure compact and integrated into the existing axial gap geometry.
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 labyrinthine seal effectively prevents fibers from reaching the outer circumference of the suction drum, maintaining direct contact between the drive element and the suction drum, ensuring continuous operation without significant maintenance, thus enhancing the compression quality and reducing downtimes.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary movement of the friction wheel, which is driven over the outer circumference, is transmitted via friction to the circumferential surface of the attachment, which is connected to the suction drum.
Implementation Method 2
This air flow, which is essentially aligned transversely to the direction of transport of the fiber material, also binds protruding fibers into the fiber material.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rotatably mounted suction drum (14) of a device (VM) for compressing a fibre material (V) on a spinning machine having an annular drive element (20), which, when in the operating position, rests with a part-region of the inner face (IF) of the drive element (20) on a part-region of a circular circumferential face (AU) of an attachment (13), which runs coaxially to a rotation axis (A1) of the suction drum (14) and is attached to an end face (35) of the suction drum (14). In order to prevent fibres that have detached from the fibre material (V) from collecting between the inner face (IF) of the drive element (20) and the circumferential face (AU) of the attachment (13), the suction drum (14) has on the end face (35) having the attachment (13) at least one circumferential raised portion (36), and the drive element (20) has on the side (46) facing the end face (35) of the suction drum (14) at least one circumferential depression (37), wherein the at least one raised portion (36) projects into the at least one depression (37), and the raised portion (36) and the depression (37) together form a labyrinth-like seal.