Leather Colouring Roller Layout for a Larger Working Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for colouring leather and leatherette articles have limited working area due to the presence of the doctor blade and colour transport device, which hinders operator movement and requires extensive cleaning and downtime, making them inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a conical or frusto-conical colouring roller and a compact colour transport and dosing device positioned behind the roller, featuring a movable tray, a disposable basin, and an adjustable height mechanism to enhance ergonomics and reduce interference with the working area, allowing for easy cleaning and quick colour application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the doctor blade and colour transport device are placed at the sides of the roller, then the colouring function is achieved, but the working area is reduced and operator movement is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the doctor blade and colour transport device from lateral positions to a longitudinal arrangement behind the roller. This spatial reconfiguration in the longitudinal dimension eliminates interference with the operator's working area while maintaining all colouring functions.
2Reliability
If multiple components (doctor blade, transport device) are present, then the colouring function is complete, but the cleaning time and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the doctor blade and colour transport device into a single unified component assembly positioned behind the roller. This merging of previously separate components reduces the number of parts requiring cleaning and maintenance, thereby reducing downtime while preserving complete colouring functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If the doctor blade is made with flat bristles, then the colour distribution is improved, but the adaptability to rollers with special shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the doctor blade with bristles of varying lengths arranged in specific patterns, where different local regions of the blade have different bristle characteristics. This local differentiation allows the blade to maintain effective colour distribution while adapting to rollers with various cross-sectional shapes including conical and frusto-conical forms.
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 solution provides a larger, interference-free working area, reduces downtime by simplifying cleaning and maintenance, and allows for efficient colour application without shadow zones, improving operator ergonomics and machine usability.
Implementation Method 1
The colour is distributed on the surface of the colouring roller, falling by gravity from above
Implementation Method 2
a suction pump system connected to a diffuser nozzle or a pad draws the colour directly from the tray
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A machine for colouring miscellaneous articles of leather and leatherette comprises: a supporting frame (3) and a colouring unit (2), supported by the frame (3) and operated by a driving system (4), comprising a colouring head (5), adapted for applying a layer of liquid colour directly in contact with the article being processed, a tray (6) collecting the colour adapted for containing the colour to be deposited in the article, a device (7) for transporting and dosing the colour on the colouring head. The device (7) for transporting and dosing the colour comprises a colour feed channel (9) having a doctor blade (10), coupled to the colouring head (5), placed immediately below the feed channel (9).