Rotor Spinning Drive Housing Cleaning With Pulsed Compressed Air

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Solution Overview

Problem

In rotor spinning machines, contaminants are sucked into the drive housing when the rotor housing is opened, leading to potential damage to the bearing and drive due to incomplete pressure equalization, and existing solutions either require frequent filter cleaning or labyrinth seals.

Innovation Solution

Compressed air is intermittently fed into the drive housing to blow off dust and fiber particles that have settled, using a directed air flow to specifically clean contaminated areas, particularly the bearing gap, without the need for continuous pressure equalization or filter maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compressed air is continuously supplied to the drive housing through a filter, then contaminants are prevented from entering the drive housing, but the filter becomes clogged and requires frequent cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of drive housing from contaminantsVSAvoidfilter cleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous filtered air supply, the invention uses periodic compressed air pulses to blow contaminants out of the drive housing through the connecting opening. This intermittent cleaning action eliminates the need for continuous filtration, avoiding filter clogging and cleaning downtime while maintaining protection of the drive housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If the rotor housing is opened for maintenance, then access is provided for servicing, but contaminants are sucked into the drive housing due to vacuum pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess for maintenanceVSAvoidcontaminant intake into drive housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful vacuum pressure that sucks contaminants into the drive housing into a beneficial force by using compressed air to blow contaminants out through the same connecting opening. The vacuum that causes contamination is transformed into a pathway for contaminant removal when compressed air is applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If a labyrinth seal is installed between drive housing and rotor housing, then contaminants are prevented from entering during spinning, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of contaminant intakeVSAvoidseal structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding a labyrinth seal structure between the drive housing and rotor housing, the invention extracts the sealing function by using compressed air to actively blow contaminants out through the existing connecting opening. This removes the need for additional sealing components while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If compressed air is supplied to blow off contaminants, then bearing and drive are protected from contamination, but additional compressed air supply system is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of bearing and driveVSAvoidcompressed air supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compressed air supply system serves multiple functions: it blows contaminants out of the drive housing during normal operation, cleans the bearing gap, and can be used for maintenance activities. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the compressed air system by providing comprehensive protection and cleaning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This method effectively prevents contamination of the drive housing and bearing, reducing the risk of damage while avoiding unproductive downtimes and filter maintenance, and can be performed during operation or at intervals, ensuring continuous spinning device functionality.

Implementation Method 1

Compressed air is supplied to the drive housing for cleaning the bearing. A directed air flow is generated within the drive housing, in particular in the bearing gap, in order to blow off dust and fiber particles.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air flow:

Implementation Method 2

The rotor shaft is supported in the drive housing by means of a bearing assembly, in particular a magnetic bearing. The contactless bearing, in particular a magnetic bearing, allows the rotor shaft to be supported without contact.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic bearing: Electrodynamic Bearing

Implementation Method 3

the rotor cup is arranged in a rotor housing which is subjected to negative pressure, the negative pressure being required for the spinning process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP3530782B1Method for operating a spinning device of a rotor spinning machine and spinning device of a rotor spinning machine
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP3530782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3530782B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3530782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a method for operating a spinning device (2) of a rotor spinning machine (1), in which a spinning rotor (5) with a rotor cup (6) and a rotor shaft (7) is set in rotation by means of a drive (11) arranged in a drive housing (8) and operatively connected to the rotor shaft (7), and the rotor shaft (7) is supported in the drive housing (8) by means of a bearing (10, 18), wherein the rotor cup (6) is arranged in a rotor housing (9) pressurized with negative pressure, and the rotor shaft (7) extends through a connecting opening (12) between the drive housing (8) and the rotor housing (9), so that the drive housing is also under negative pressure during the spinning process, compressed air is supplied into the drive housing (8) via an air inlet.Compressed air is supplied to the drive housing (8) via the air inlet for cleaning the drive housing and/or the bearings (10, 18) at intervals, preferably at adjustable time intervals. A corresponding spinning device (2) of a rotor spinning machine (1) has a control unit for controlling the compressed air supply, by means of which the compressed air can be supplied to the drive housing (8) via the air inlet at intervals, preferably at adjustable time intervals.