Pneumatic Fabric Tunnel with Neutral Airflow for Flexible Shrinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric processing machines lack flexibility in adjusting air quantity and tunnel transit time, making them unsuitable for a wide range of fabric types, particularly those requiring lower impact frequency and stronger drying.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a pneumatic transport system that includes a flow baffle capable of three positions: conveying air in one direction, the opposite direction, and a neutral position with a null horizontal air flow component, allowing for adjustable air flow and fabric movement control, enabling optimal flexibility in processing different fabrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the machine uses a bidirectional air blowing system with baffles to move fabric reciprocatingly through the tunnel, then the fabric can be softened and shrunk effectively through repeated impacts, but the machine lacks flexibility in adjusting air quantity and transit time for different fabric types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the air flow system adjustable and adaptable. The blowing devices can vary air quantity and direction dynamically, and the tunnel transit time can be adjusted according to different fabric types and processing requirements, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that responds to different operational needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing adjustment of key parameters including air quantity, air flow direction, and tunnel transit time. These parameter variations enable the machine to accommodate different fabric types and processing requirements without requiring complex structural modifications
2Productivity
If the machine increases impact frequency for all fabric types, then softening and shrinking effectiveness improves, but fabrics requiring lower impact frequency and stronger drying are damaged or improperly processed
Solution Approach 1:
The machine dynamically adjusts impact frequency based on fabric type and processing stage. By controlling air flow quantity and direction, the system can increase or decrease the reciprocating motion frequency of the fabric, allowing high impact frequency for some fabrics and lower frequency with extended drying time for others
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic reciprocating action of the fabric through the tunnel, where the direction and intensity of air blowing can be periodically adjusted. This periodic action allows the same fabric to experience varying impact frequencies during different phases of its journey through the tunnel
3Ease of operation
If the machine uses fixed air flow direction through baffles, then the fabric movement pattern is predictable and controlled, but the machine cannot accommodate fabrics requiring different movement patterns and drying intensities
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow direction control system is made dynamic through adjustable baffles and controllable blowing devices. The system can switch between fixed directional patterns and adjustable patterns, allowing operators to select predictable movement patterns for standard fabrics or modify directions for specialized processing requirements
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 machine provides enhanced flexibility in processing various fabrics by allowing adjustable air flow and movement control, ensuring effective softening and shrinking while accommodating different fabric types and drying requirements.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic transport system along this path for the wet fabric, comprising a tunnel and at least one blowing device arranged in the tunnel below the feed path of the wet fabric
Implementation Method 2
the blowing device conveys air according to an inclined direction converging in a first feed direction of the fabric towards a first impact barrier, and a second position wherein the lower blowing device conveys air according to an inclined direction converging in a second feed direction
Implementation Method 3
thanks to the push or pull exerted by the air investing the fabric in an inclined manner from the top and from the bottom
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
Machine and method for softening and shrinking a fabric (T), preferably a knitted fabric, the method provides for pulling or pushing the fabric (T) in a pneumatic transport tunnel (15), through air flows below and/or above the fabric, alternatively towards opposite impact structures (16, 17), against which the fabric impacts; the directions of these air flows are inclined relative to the horizontal, so as to create a resulting horizontal component of the air push or pull on the fabric (T) allowing to move it. The method characteristically provides for a step wherein the resulting horizontal component of the air push or pull on the fabric (T) is null, i.e. wherein the air invests the fabric without moving it towards a respective impact structure.