Pilgrim Step Transmission Layout for Low-Stress Spinning Drives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinning machine drives for pilgrim step rotation are complex, expensive, and inefficient due to mechanical stress, high energy consumption, and inflexibility, particularly in pilgrim stepping gears that require coordinated design and adjustment, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A transmission system with separate and optimized gear stages that allow for independent arrangement and adjustment, featuring a drive shaft, output shaft, and gear elements that enable pilgrim step rotation with reduced mechanical stress and energy efficiency, allowing for flexible operation and adjustment without requiring extensive disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pilgrim step gearboxes with three meshing gear wheels are used, then step-by-step rotation is achieved, but mechanical stress and energy consumption become enormous due to positive coupling and oscillating rotation of multiple gear wheels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stressVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission is divided into two separate stages: a first transmission stage with a drive shaft and first transmission element, and a second transmission stage with an output shaft and second transmission element. These stages are arranged separately and connected only through the transmission section, eliminating the need for multiple meshing gear wheels to oscillate together. This segmentation reduces mechanical stress and energy consumption by avoiding the positive coupling of three gear wheels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If three gear wheels are positively coupled in a traditional gearbox, then step-shift rotation is transmitted, but the design becomes inflexible as each gear wheel must be designed to work with two other gear wheels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidgear wheel coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the transmission into two independent stages connected only through the transmission section, each transmission element can be designed and optimized independently. The first transmission element needs to work only with the drive shaft and transmission section, while the second transmission element needs to work only with the output shaft and transmission section. This eliminates the complexity of designing three gear wheels that must all mesh with each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If traditional gearboxes with oil-lubricated assemblies are used, then transmission function is provided, but adjusting the brazing point requires opening the gearbox housing, involving additional design effort and risk of contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment accessibilityVSAvoidhousing design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission section is designed as a separate, accessible module between the two transmission stages. This modular arrangement allows the transmission section to be adjusted independently without requiring opening of the main gearbox housing. The separate arrangement of transmission stages enables maintenance and adjustment activities to be performed on the transmission section while minimizing disruption to the overall system and reducing contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If direct drives with servo motors are used, then frequent reversal of rotation direction is achieved, but the system becomes very expensive and generates enormous heat requiring complex cooling systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversal speedVSAvoidcooling system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct electric drives with a mechanical transmission system using separate transmission stages and a transmission section. This mechanical approach handles frequent direction reversals more efficiently than direct servo motors, reducing heat generation and eliminating the need for complex cooling systems while maintaining the required reversal speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a cost-effective, flexible, and energy-efficient transmission system that enables faster operation with reduced vibration and mechanical stress, allowing for efficient pilgrim step rotation in spinning machines, such as combing machines, with the ability to adjust settings during operation.

Implementation Method 1

The transmission section (4) includes a first transmission element (19, 21), which is rotationally connected to the drive shaft (7) as part of a first transmission stage, and a second transmission element (20), which is distinct from the first transmission element (19, 21), which is rotationally connected to the output shaft (8) as part of a second transmission stage. The second transmission element (20) is additionally rotationally connected to the first transmission element (19, 21).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear meshing: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP4136366B1Transmission, drive assembly and spinning machine
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 TRÜTZSCHLER GRP SE
  • EP4136366B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4136366B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2
  • EP4136366B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transmitting portion of a transmission (2), which transmission has an input shaft (7) and an output shaft (8), comprises a first transmission element (21), which is rotationally operatively connected, as part of a first transmission stage, to the input shaft (7), and a second transmission element (21), which is different from the first transmission element (17) and is rotationally operatively connected, as part of a second transmission stage, to the output shaft (8) and to the first transmission element (17). The transmission (2) is designed such that an input rotation of the input shaft (7) in an input rotational direction by a first input rotational angle leads to a rotation of the output shaft (8) in a first output rotational direction by a first output rotational angle (α). A subsequent input rotation by a second input rotational angle leads to a rotation of the output shaft (8) in a second output rotational direction by a second output rotational angle (β), the second output rotational direction being opposite the first output rotational direction. The output rotational angles (α, β) have a sum of less than or equal to 960° and are different from each other. Two transmissions (2) can be attached to each other such that they are drivingly interconnected. An input portion of an assembly (1) can be rotationally operatively connected to the output side of such a transmission (2). In a spinning machine having a pair (80) of rollers (80) which interact with each other with respect to fiber transport and having an assembly (1) of this type, the output shaft (8) of the transmission (2) is rotationally operatively connected to a roller (80) of the roller pair (80).