Rotary Buffer Wheel with Suction Nozzle for Twisted Brush Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buffer systems for brushes, particularly twisted-in brushes like interdental and mascara brushes, are inefficient in terms of space usage and handling, as they often require mechanical gripping which is difficult for these types of brushes.
Innovation Solution
A compact buffer magazine with a rotatably mounted buffer wheel featuring hollow-cylindrical brush receptacles, a feed channel, and a suction nozzle for easy insertion and removal of brushes, allowing for air flow transport without mechanical gripping, along with a separating device and sorting switch for efficient storage and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conveyor belt or circulating chain with brush holders is used, then the buffer can handle and transport brushes, but the buffer takes up a comparatively large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer magazine is segmented into multiple hollow-cylindrical brush receptacles arranged radially around a rotatable buffer wheel, allowing independent brush storage positions that can be accessed sequentially, thereby reducing the overall footprint compared to linear conveyor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The brush holders are arranged radially in the radial dimension around the buffer wheel rather than linearly along a conveyor belt, transitioning from one-dimensional linear arrangement to two-dimensional radial arrangement, which significantly reduces the buffer's spatial footprint while maintaining multiple storage positions
2Quantity of substance
If conventional brush holders are used, then the buffer can store brushes, but they are only suitable to a limited extent for receiving and removing twisted-in brushes
Solution Approach 1:
The brush receptacles are designed with specific local qualities - hollow-cylindrical shape with open longitudinal ends and appropriate internal dimensions - that are specifically adapted to accommodate twisted-in brushes, providing the right local geometry for this specific brush type rather than generic holders
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle geometry parameters (cylindrical shape, longitudinal openness, internal dimensions) are specifically changed and optimized to match the characteristics of twisted-in brushes, making the buffer suitable for this specific brush type while maintaining storage capacity
3Productivity
If mechanical gripping is used to remove brushes, then the brush can be transported, but it is difficult for twisted brushes
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical gripping system is replaced with a pneumatic system - a suction nozzle generates an air flow that transports the brush through the discharge channel, substituting mechanical contact with aerodynamic forces, which is gentler and more effective for twisted-in brushes
Solution Approach 2:
A suction nozzle is introduced that generates an air flow to transport the brush through the discharge channel, using pneumatic principles to remove and transport twisted-in brushes without mechanical gripping, thereby improving ease of operation for this specific brush type
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 enables efficient and space-saving handling of twisted-in brushes by allowing easy insertion and removal through air flow transport, facilitating compact design and reliable distribution to downstream processing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a suction nozzle for generating an air flow and for transporting the brush out of the brush holder is provided on the at least one discharge channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
AI summary
In a buffer (1) for brushes (2), in particular twisted brushes, with a buffer magazine (3) having several brush holders (38), the buffer magazine (3) has a rotatably mounted buffer wheel (37) with several hollow cylinder-shaped brush holders (38) arranged circularly next to each other on the buffer wheel (37). A feed channel (34) that can be positioned in front of a longitudinal end of each of the brush holders (38) and a discharge point (49) with at least one discharge channel (41) that can be arranged at a longitudinal end of a brush holder (38) are provided. The buffer wheel (37) and the at least one discharge channel (41) can be positioned relative to each other, and a suction nozzle (42) for generating an airflow and transporting the brush (2) from the brush holder (38) is provided on the at least one discharge channel (41) (Figure 1).