Needle-Punching Machine Gear Stage for Main Shaft Phase Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing needling machines face challenges in adjusting the angular position of main shafts in a mechanically simple and space-saving manner, often requiring complex structures that introduce additional losses and space inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A needling machine design incorporating a gear arrangement with an adjustment device that allows for the angular positioning of main shafts within the gear stage, using standard transmission components to facilitate easy integration and cost-effective procurement, without additional devices on the main connecting rods or needle beam arrangement, utilizing planetary gears and worm gears for precise adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment devices are provided for changing the phase relationship between main shafts, then the angular position of main shafts can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device is merged with the gear arrangement by integrating the adjustment mechanism directly into the existing gear stage. The adjustment gear is combined with the drive unit's gear system, allowing phase adjustment to be performed through the existing gear structure rather than adding separate adjustment mechanisms. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gear arrangement serves dual functions: it transmits torque between the main shafts and simultaneously provides the adjustment mechanism for changing the phase relationship. The same gear components used for power transmission are also used for angular position adjustment, eliminating the need for dedicated adjustment devices and reducing complexity.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment devices are provided for changing the phase relationship between main shafts, then the angular position of main shafts can be adjusted, but the installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position adjustment capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is combined with the existing gear arrangement, utilizing the same spatial envelope and structural components. The adjustment gear is integrated into the gear stage, sharing the same mounting space and structural support, thereby avoiding additional installation space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is nested within the existing gear arrangement structure. The adjustment components are positioned within the existing gear housing and structural framework, utilizing available space efficiently without requiring additional external space for the adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment devices interfere with torque transmission between main shafts, then angular position can be adjusted, but additional energy losses occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position adjustment capabilityVSAvoidtorque transmission losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The gear arrangement performs both torque transmission and phase adjustment functions through the same components. The adjustment mechanism utilizes the existing torque transmission path rather than creating a separate adjustment path, ensuring that torque is transmitted efficiently without additional losses from separate adjustment devices.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the gear arrangement, using the existing gear mesh and torque transmission path for both adjustment and power transmission. The adjustment action is performed through the same gear engagement that transmits torque, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms that would introduce additional energy losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 flexible and precise adjustment of the angular position of main shafts, reducing complexity and space requirements while minimizing additional losses, thus enhancing the machine's operational efficiency and integration flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a gear assembly (28) comprising an input shaft (30) and two output shafts (32, 34), wherein the first main shaft (12) and the second main shaft (16) form the two output shafts (32, 34)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

The gear arrangement (28) comprises a planetary gear set (38) with a ring gear (40), a sun gear (42), and a plurality of planet gears (46)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlanetary gearing: Epicyclic Gearing

Implementation Method 3

The adjusting device (36) comprises a worm gear, wherein the ring gear (40) of the planetary gear set (38) has external teeth and forms a worm gear of the worm gear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWorm drive: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentEP3693501B1Needle machine
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 DILO MASCHINENFABRIK KG
  • EP3693501B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3693501B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3693501B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A needle-punching machine (2) for needle-punching a nonwoven web comprises a needle bar assembly (4) comprising at least one needle bar (6), a first main shaft (12), a second main shaft (16), a gear assembly (28) comprising an input shaft (30) and two output shafts (32, 34), wherein the first main shaft (12) and the second main shaft (16) form the two output shafts (32, 34), and a drive (26) that rotaryally drives the input shaft (30). According to the invention, the needle-punching machine (2) further comprises an adjusting device (36) comprising a gear stage of the gear assembly (28) and configured to adjust the angular position of the first main shaft (12) and the second main shaft (16) relative to each other.