Pivotable Frame for Combing Device Maintenance Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combing machines face difficulties in maintenance access and material handling, leading to increased downtime and potential quality losses due to material accumulations and complex setup processes.

Innovation Solution

A pivotable frame is integrated into the machine frame, allowing the detaching roller, feed roller, and top comb to be swung out of their working area for easy access and maintenance, with bellows cylinders providing a space-saving and low-vibration loading mechanism, and adjustable distance settings for improved operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the detaching roller, feed roller, and top comb are firmly mounted in the machine frame, then structural stability is improved, but maintenance access and ease of repair deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance access
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by mounting the detaching roller, feed roller, and top comb on a pivotable frame instead of firmly fixing them to the machine frame. This allows the components to be dynamically repositioned between an operating position (where they are stable and functional) and an maintenance position (where the frame is pivoted to provide access). The pivotable connection enables the frame to transition between these states, resolving the contradiction between structural stability during operation and ease of repair during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of repair

If the frame is made pivotable to enable maintenance access, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoidframe mounting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mounting structure into separate components: a pivotable frame that can be independently moved relative to the machine frame, and fixed mounting points on the machine frame. This segmentation allows the maintenance function to be isolated to the pivotable frame without affecting the entire device structure. The frame can be pivoted to expose maintenance areas while the rest of the machine remains stationary and unchanged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by introducing a rotational degree of freedom to the frame mounting. Instead of fixing the frame in a single plane, the pivotable connection allows movement in a second dimension (rotation about a pivot axis). This enables the frame to be positioned in different spatial orientations - during operation it is in one orientation for functional stability, and during maintenance it can be rotated to a different orientation for access. This dimensional flexibility resolves the contradiction without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of repair

If the detaching roller is moved into an inoperative position for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but loss of time increases due to repositioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoiddowntime for repositioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a pivotable frame that can be quickly moved into an inoperative position before maintenance is needed. The frame is designed with a pivot connection that allows rapid repositioning without complex procedures. By having the frame ready to be pivoted to the maintenance position, the system minimizes the time required to access components for repair. The preliminary preparation of the pivotable mounting enables fast transition between operational and maintenance states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2350361B1Combing device comprising a pivotable frame
Publication Date: 2012.12.05 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP2350361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2350361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2350361B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a combing device for combing a fibre material which is supplied to a gripper unit mounted in a machine frame (MS), said gripper unit comprising a lower gripper plate and an upper gripper plate (2, 3), the upper gripper plate being mounted in such a way that it can move in relation to the fixed lower gripper plate (2) in order to form a clamping point (KS), and being acted upon by a loading device (B3, B4) in order to generate a clamping force. A rotatably mounted feed roller (5) subjected to a loading means forms a clamping point (KK) with the lower gripper plate, and a combing roller rotatably mounted beneath the lower gripper plate (2), in the machine frame (MS), is provided with at least one combing segment (19) and a pull-off segment (20) on the periphery thereof. A rotatably mounted pull-off roller (8) that can be acted upon by a loading means (B1, B2) can be moved towards the pull-off segment in order to form a nip line (KL), and a top comb (K) is arranged between the lower gripper plate (2) and the pull-off roller. In order to simplify the operability, a frame (24) which is pivotably arranged in the machine frame (MS) is associated with the gripper unit, the free end of the frame being pivotable about an axle (46) that is fixed in the machine frame and extends parallel to the rotational axle (9) of the pull-off roller (8), and means (48, 52a, 52b) are provided for fixing the pivotable end of the frame (24) in position, in an operating position and in at least one idle position. At least one of the elements, such as the support (11) for the pull-off roller (8) and/or the support (79) for the feed roller (5) and/or the top comb (K) is held on the frame (24).