Particle Supply Cylinder With Isolation For Consistent Discharge
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle supplying apparatuses for absorbent or deodorant materials in absorbent article manufacturing face challenges in consistently supplying a desired amount of particles due to variations in particle size and centrifugal forces, leading to inconsistent discharge quantities.
Innovation Solution
A particle supplying apparatus with a cylindrical member featuring through-holes arranged circumferentially, where particles are stored and rotated to be ejected smoothly through air-assisted means, combined with a sheet conveying system and a replenishment mechanism to maintain consistent particle supply and bonding of sheet members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If centrifugal forces are used to discharge granules from the centrifugal roll, then granules can be moved to the outside, but the discharged amount becomes inconsistent due to variations in particle size and centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal roll is divided into multiple circumferential discharge portions, each independently discharging granules. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for consistent discharge while the overall system maintains high productivity through parallel operation of multiple portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the centrifugal roll have different functions: the central portion stores granules while the peripheral discharge portions discharge them. This local differentiation allows the storage region to be optimized for capacity while discharge regions are optimized for consistent granule ejection, resolving the contradiction between productivity and precision.
2Quantity of substance
If the amount of granules supplied to the centrifugal roll is increased to maintain constant discharge, then the system becomes more sensitive to particle size variations
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the discharge function across multiple circumferential portions, each portion handles a smaller, more controlled amount of granules. This reduces the impact of particle size variations on any single discharge event while maintaining overall consistent discharge through the combined output of all portions.
3Manufacturing precision
If accurate control of granule supply and rotation speed is implemented, then discharge amount can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal roll structure itself provides the control mechanism through its geometry. The specific arrangement of discharge portions and their relationship to the roll's rotation automatically ensures consistent granule discharge without requiring external control systems. The structure self-regulates the discharge process, eliminating the need for complex sensors, actuators, or control algorithms.
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 the precise and consistent supply of particles onto sheet members, ensuring uniform distribution and bonding, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of absorbent or deodorant sheet articles.
Implementation Method 1
particles are filled into a through-hole out of the plurality of through-holes which faces particles stored in the particle storage space, to eject particles filled in the through-hole outward at a particle supply region
Implementation Method 2
an air supply path which supplies air into the through-hole at a posterior end portion of the particle supply region in the rotation direction
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent sheet manufacturing apparatus is provided with a cylinder part (21) having a plurality of through-holes (212) arranged in a circumferential direction. The cylinder part (21) is rotated, and therefore particles of high-absorbent resin are sequentially filled into the through-holes (212) from a particle storage space (217) in the cylinder part (21). In a particle supply region (210) of a lower portion of the cylinder part (21), the inner side surface (215) of the cylinder part (21) is covered with an isolation part (25) so that each through-hole (212) filled with particles is isolated from the particle storage space (217). And in this state, particles are ejected from the through-hole (212). As above, only particles filled in each through-hole (212) are ejected, and therefore a desired amount of particles can be easily supplied from the through-hole (212).