Linen Spreader Transfer Beam with Adjustable Abutment to Prevent Folds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linen spreader apparatuses often result in undesired folds in the leading portion of the linen, which reduces efficiency as the linen must be reprocessed, especially when the spreader clamps grip too much fabric, causing folds that persist during transfer to the conveyor.
Innovation Solution
A novel abutment structure with adjustable width and gates to ensure uniform pressure along the linen's width, combined with a transfer beam that can adjust its width and utilize pressurized air to smoothly transfer the linen without folds, and sensors to detect excess fabric for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spreader clamps grip onto a large part of the linen fabric at the corner, then the linen can be securely held and transferred, but folds are created in the leading portion that persist during transfer to the conveyor
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader clamp is divided into multiple independent gripping elements or zones along its length. Each segment can apply gripping force independently, allowing the clamp to securely hold the linen corner while leaving the leading portion free of folds. This segmentation enables selective gripping without creating unwanted creases in the fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader clamp applies different gripping characteristics to different portions of the linen. The corner region receives strong gripping force for secure holding, while the leading portion receives minimal or no gripping force to prevent fold formation. This localized differentiation of gripping quality resolves the contradiction between secure holding and maintaining flatness.
2Productivity
If the transfer beam moves quickly to accelerate away from the leading portion for smooth transfer, then transfer efficiency increases, but the linen may not transfer smoothly if the speed is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer beam's motion is made dynamic and variable rather than constant. The beam accelerates at different rates during different phases of the transfer cycle, with higher acceleration when needed to prevent folding and optimized speed profiles to ensure smooth linen transfer. This dynamic motion control allows simultaneous achievement of transfer efficiency and smoothness.
3Reliability
If the abutment structure applies pressure to hold the linen, then the linen is securely positioned, but non-uniform pressure causes folds in the leading portion
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment structure is divided into multiple pressure application zones or elements distributed along its length. Each segment applies pressure independently and uniformly to its local region, collectively providing secure positioning of the entire linen while maintaining uniform pressure distribution. This prevents fold formation caused by non-uniform pressure concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutment structure is designed to create equipotential pressure distribution across the linen surface. By ensuring that pressure is evenly distributed at all points of contact, the structure maintains secure linen positioning without creating pressure differentials that would cause folding. The pressure field is made uniform across the contact area.
4Device complexity
If the transfer beam width is fixed, then the device structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate varying linen sizes efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer beam width is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The beam can expand or contract its effective width during operation to match the size of different linen pieces. This dynamic adaptability allows a single device structure to efficiently handle varying linen sizes without requiring multiple fixed-width beams, balancing structural simplicity with versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer beam is designed with multi-functionality to serve different linen sizes with a single structure. By incorporating adjustable width capability, the beam can adapt to various linen dimensions, making it a universal component that replaces multiple fixed-width beams. This reduces overall device complexity while increasing adaptability to different operating conditions.
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 effectively prevents folds by maintaining uniform pressure and adjusting the transfer beam's width to accommodate varying linen sizes, ensuring smooth transfer and increased efficiency by minimizing the need for reprocessing.
Implementation Method 1
a novel construction of an abutment structure for the spreader boom, allowing for the holding of the piece of linen with a uniform pressure along substantially its entire width
Implementation Method 2
pressurised air is applied to direct the released leading portion of the piece of linen forwards onto the top surface of the transfer beam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to linen spreader apparatus including a conveyor defining a machine direction, a pair of spreader clamps movable transversally to said machine direction towards each other, and away from each other for spreading out a piece of linen, at least one charger station, each charger station delivering a corner of a leading portion of a piece of linen to a respective one of said spreader clamps, a transfer beam for transferring a piece of spread out linen from said at least one pair of spreader clamps to said conveyor, said transfer beam having a leading edge and a trailing edge and being arranged to move back and forth in said machine direction between advanced and retracted positions, said leading edge of said transfer beam located in a region below said spreader clamps in said advanced position, said transfer beam being configured for temporarily holding on to a portion of said piece of linen as the transfer beam moves from said advanced position towards said retracted position, and an elongated transverse abutment structure having an abutment face, for holding a portion of said piece of linen between said leading edge of said transfer beam and said abutment face, pressurised air exits for directing said leading portion of said piece of linen onto said transfer beam when said piece of linen is released from said spreader clamps, and one or more gates movable between a first position and a second position, said gates defining a part of said abutment face in said first position.