Modular Sub-Belt Transfer Device for Nonwoven Webs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer devices for fibre webs, particularly nonwoven webs, face issues with jamming and production line interruptions when dealing with very wide webs, leading to undesirable stoppages due to the thin downstream end of the endless belt twisting over itself.
Innovation Solution
The transfer device employs a modular endless belt composed of multiple parallel sub-belts with smaller widths, each with enhanced stability, to prevent twisting and jamming, featuring rollers with circumferential ribs and sabers that guide the sub-belts effectively, allowing for closer positioning to the consolidation device without stretching the web.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single wide endless belt is used to transfer very wide fibre webs, then the web can be transferred close to the consolidation device without stretching, but the belt becomes unstable and twists over itself causing jamming and production stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The single wide endless belt is divided into multiple narrower sub-belts (typically 3-7 sub-belts) that run parallel to each other. Each sub-belt is independently stable and less prone to twisting, while collectively they span the required width to transfer very wide fibre webs close to the consolidation device without stretching the web material.
2Length of moving object
If the downstream end of the endless belt is made very thin to avoid web stretching, then the web can be brought closer to the consolidation working area, but the thin belt becomes prone to twisting and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The thin downstream end of the belt is segmented into multiple narrow sub-belts. Each sub-belt maintains sufficient structural stability despite the reduced thickness, because the narrower width provides inherent stability and reduces the tendency to twist, while collectively achieving the required thin profile to minimize web stretching.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt structure varies along its length: upstream sections have greater thickness for strength and drive transmission, while downstream sections are made very thin to avoid web stretching. This local quality variation is achieved through the sub-belt configuration where each sub-belt can be independently optimized for its position in the transfer path.
3Device complexity
If a single wide belt is used, then the device structure is simpler, but the belt becomes prone to twisting and causing machine stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The belt system is segmented into multiple parallel sub-belts, which increases structural reliability by preventing twisting and jamming, while the modular nature of the segmentation allows for relatively simple implementation using standard modular belt components that can be assembled in parallel.
Data Source
AI summary
Device for transferring and/or introducing a fibre web, in particular a nonwoven web, into a consolidation installation, in particular one that is mechanical or hydraulic, for example a needle loom, comprising at least one transfer element comprising at least one roller (12), at least one saber (16) and an endless belt (13) extending between an upstream end and a downstream end so as to wrap around the roller at the upstream end and the saber at the downstream end, the at least one roller being arranged so as to drive the endless belt in rotation, and the at least one saber giving the downstream end of the belt the shape of a corner or lip, the at least one endless belt (13) being modular and consisting of links in the form of transverse strips that are articulated to one another, characterised in that the endless belt (13) consists of a plurality of sub-belts extending parallel to one another.