Laser Welded Suction Belt for Tobacco Transport

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction belts for transporting tobacco in cigarette manufacturing are difficult to connect effectively due to materials with crystalline or part-crystalline structures being unsuitable for high-frequency or ultrasound connecting methods, limiting their use in forming continuous belts.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating light-absorbing materials, such as carbon particles or a transparent thread core with a light-absorbing sheath, into the warp and weft threads of the suction belt to enable laser welding of the ends, allowing for a strong and reliable connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If materials with crystalline or part-crystalline structure (PEK, PEEK, PEKK, PEEKK) are used for the suction belt, then physiological suitability and material stability are improved, but suitability for high-frequency or ultrasound connecting methods deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological suitabilityVSAvoidconnectability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The suction belt is divided into connecting regions and non-connecting regions. The connecting regions contain light-absorbing material to enable laser welding, while the non-connecting regions maintain the original transparent crystalline material properties for physiological suitability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Light-absorbing material is incorporated only in specific connecting regions of the suction belt, not throughout the entire belt. This localized modification enables laser welding at connection points while preserving the physiological suitability and transparency of the main belt body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If transparent materials are used for the suction belt, then physiological suitability is improved, but laser welding capability deteriorates due to laser beam permeation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological suitabilityVSAvoidlaser weldability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Light-absorbing material is incorporated only in specific connecting regions of the suction belt, not throughout the entire belt. This localized modification enables laser welding at connection points while preserving the physiological suitability and transparency of the main belt body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suction belt combines transparent crystalline material (for physiological suitability) with light-absorbing material (for laser welding capability) in a composite structure, where each material performs its specialized function in the appropriate region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If light-absorbing material is incorporated into the suction belt, then laser welding capability is improved, but material transparency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser weldabilityVSAvoidtransparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Light-absorbing material is incorporated only in specific connecting regions of the suction belt, not throughout the entire belt. This localized modification enables laser welding at connection points while preserving the physiological suitability and transparency of the main belt body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables easy and reliable connection of suction belt ends using laser welding, maintaining the strength and transparency of the threads while ensuring high tearing strength, wear resistance, and physiological innocuousness.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam directed at the suction belt can be absorbed by the weft threads and/or warp threads and the structure of the weft threads and/or warp threads can be changed such that the two ends of the suction belt melt to the desired extent and can be joined in this state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a laser beam directed at the suction belt can be absorbed by the weft threads and/or warp threads and the structure of the weft threads and/or warp threads can be changed such that the two ends of the suction belt melt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS8485348B2Suction belt for the transport of tobacco

Publication Date: 2013.07.16 MAX SCHLATTERER GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A suction belt (1) for transporting tobacco in the manufacture of cigarettes has a fabric (5) comprising warp threads (6) and weft threads (7), the ends (2,3) of which suction belt are connected in a connecting region (4) to form a continuous suction belt (1). The weft threads (7) and/or the warp threads (6), at least in the connecting region (4), have a light-absorbing material (8). The continuous suction belt (1) is laser welded in the connecting region (4).