Modular Yarn Tester Central Ventilation Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing yarn testing devices are prone to dust and fiber accumulations, especially when testing staple yarns, which affect the accuracy and reliability of sensors, and require multiple separate fans for ventilation, leading to increased costs, noise, and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

A modular testing device with a central ventilation unit that combines multiple functional modules into a single ventilation group, using excess air pressure to prevent deposits on sensors, with a tower-like structure and strategically placed air outlet openings to maintain cleanliness and reduce noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate fans are used for ventilation in each functional module, then adequate blow-out capacity per module is achieved, but device complexity increases, cost increases, noise increases, and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of fansVSAvoidnumber of fans
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate ventilation fans into a single central ventilation unit that serves all functional modules. This reduces the total number of fans from multiple individual units to one centralized unit, thereby simplifying device complexity, reducing cost, lowering noise levels, and improving reliability through fewer moving parts and a single maintenance point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The central ventilation unit is designed to serve multiple functional modules simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component. This single ventilation system provides adequate blow-out capacity for all modules within the tower-like structure, eliminating the need for dedicated fans in each module while maintaining effective dust and fiber removal across the entire testing device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate fans are used for ventilation, then adequate blow-out capacity per function module is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple ventilation functions into a single central unit, reducing the total component count and associated manufacturing costs. By purchasing and installing one central ventilation unit instead of multiple separate fans, the overall manufacturing cost is reduced while maintaining adequate ventilation effectiveness for all functional modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate fans are used for ventilation, then adequate blow-out capacity per function module is achieved, but noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust removal effectivenessVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple noisy fan operations into a single central ventilation unit. This consolidation reduces the total noise level in the environment, as one large fan operates more quietly than multiple smaller fans running simultaneously, while still providing adequate dust and fiber blow-out capacity for all functional modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Area of stationary object

If separate fans are used in each functional module, then compact design is achieved, but fan durability decreases due to compact design constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidfan service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the conflict between compact design and fan durability by moving the ventilation function from individual compact fans in each module to a single centrally located ventilation unit. This central unit has sufficient space for a larger, more durable fan design, eliminating the compactness constraint that limited fan size and lifespan in individual modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for easier adaptation, reduced maintenance, longer service life, and quieter operation while maintaining high throughput and accuracy by using larger, more durable central fans to prevent dust and fiber deposits, ensuring reliable measurements across various parameters.

Implementation Method 1

the central ventilation unit contains at least one central fan for building up an excess air pressure in the common internal volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExcess air pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

an air flow is preferably guided over the upper side of the measuring element, specifically in such a way that the measuring element is increasingly surrounded by the ambient air as a result of air convection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir convection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3161477B1Modular yarn tester
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 USTER TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP3161477B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3161477B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3161477B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The modular tester (1) serves to test elongate textile test material. It has a test material path (12) and a turret-like setup with a multiplicity of functional modules for measuring various parameters of the test material arranged in succession along the test material path (12). A number of functional modules within the turret-like setup are directly connected to one another in a gas-conducting manner such that, together, they form a ventilation group, in the interior of which a common interior volume is present. The ventilation group has a central ventilation unit (6) which is embodied to ventilate all functional modules of the ventilation group and which contains at least one central ventilator (61-63) for establishing positive air pressure in the common interior volume. Deposits at the sensors are thus avoided. The tester (1) is easily adaptable to changed circumstances, cost-effective, quiet and has a long service life.