Rotor Spinning Machine Vacuum Layout for Lower Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotor spinning machines face limitations in increasing the number of work stations due to issues with elongation and torsion when using central drives, and the supply of negative spinning pressure becomes inefficient, leading to energy losses and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

The rotor spinning machine is designed with multiple work stations having individual drives for spinning rotors and separate vacuum sources at each end, reducing pressure losses and energy consumption by distributing vacuum channels over fewer stations, and using non-contact magnetic bearings to minimize flexing work losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a central drive is used to power all working elements from one end of the machine, then the machine structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but thermal expansion and torsion problems increase with machine length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine structureVSAvoidthermal expansion and torsion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the machine into two sections with an intermediate frame, and places central drives in both the end frame and intermediate frame. This segmentation reduces the length of drive shafts and belts, thereby minimizing thermal expansion and torsion effects while maintaining the simplicity of central drive architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the number of workstations is increased to meet productivity demands, then productivity increases, but thermal expansion and torsion problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of workstationsVSAvoidthermal expansion and torsion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing an intermediate frame that divides the machine into two sections, the patent enables increased number of workstations while keeping drive element lengths manageable. The segmentation ensures that even as machine length increases for higher productivity, the critical drive shafts and belts remain short enough to avoid excessive thermal expansion and torsion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single vacuum source is used centrally located, then the vacuum generation device is simplified, but pressure losses increase in the vacuum channel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum generation deviceVSAvoidpressure losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places separate vacuum sources in both end frames, dividing the single long vacuum channel into two shorter channels. This segmentation reduces pressure losses in each channel while the overall vacuum generation system remains relatively simple with only two vacuum sources instead of one complex distributed system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If vacuum channels extend over the entire machine length, then all workstations can be supplied, but pressure losses and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum supply coverageVSAvoidpressure losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By placing vacuum sources at both ends and dividing the workstation supply into two separate channels, the patent reduces each vacuum channel's length approximately by half. This segmentation maintains full coverage of all workstations while dramatically reducing pressure losses and energy consumption in each channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Stability of the object's composition

If an intermediate frame is added to reduce component lengths, then thermal expansion and torsion are reduced, but access to components and material supply become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion and torsionVSAvoidaccess to components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate frame is designed not only as a structural element but also as a functional hub that houses central drives and vacuum sources. This segmentation creates modular sections that can be accessed independently, and the intermediate frame itself provides access points for maintenance and material supply, thus reducing the accessibility penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

6Productivity

If machine length is increased to accommodate more workstations, then productivity increases, but the required length of vacuum channels and drive elements increases causing technical problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of workstationsVSAvoidvacuum channels and drive elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate frame that segments the machine into two sections, allowing the overall machine length to increase for higher productivity while keeping critical components (vacuum channels and drive elements) confined to shorter segments. Each section has its own vacuum source and central drive, so the channel and drive element lengths do not scale with total machine length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration allows for a significant increase in the number of work stations while reducing energy consumption and operational costs, maintaining efficient vacuum supply and accessibility for maintenance, and improving the overall energy-saving and cost-effective operation of the machine.

Implementation Method 1

The spinning rotors are mounted in a magnetic bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic bearing: Electrodynamic Bearing

Implementation Method 2

a suction device for generating a spinning vacuum at the working stations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction vacuum: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3237658B1Rotor spinning machine comprising a plurality of working positions and a suction device
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 RIETER INGOLSTADT GMBH
  • EP3237658B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3237658B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3237658B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotor spinning machine has a plurality of working positions (3) arranged next to each other in the longitudinal direction of the rotor spinning machine (1) between two front ends (2) of the rotor spinning machine, each working position having a plurality of working units for producing and winding up a yarn (31). The working units comprise at least one feed device (4), an opening device (5), a spinning rotor (6) and a winding device (7). The rotor spinning machine further comprises a suction device (8) for producing a negative spinning pressure at the working positions. The suction device comprises at least two separate negative pressure sources (9), a negative pressure source being arranged at each of the two front ends of the rotor spinning machine, and each negative pressure source being connected to a separate negative pressure channel (10) which extends only over a part of the working positions in the longitudinal direction of the rotor spinning machine. Every working position has an individual drive (11), in particular an electrical individual drive for the spinning rotor.