Round Brush Filament Alignment Using Vertical Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to produce uniformly aligned filaments for small-diameter round brushes, such as interdental or mascara brushes, due to the difficulty in aligning extremely thin filaments during the clamping process, leading to uneven distribution and alignment issues.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a vibrating body that sets filaments into vibration to align them parallel to each other, forming a flat bundle, which is then clamped between twisted wire sections, using a device with a container, vibrating body, and clamping device to achieve uniform alignment without compressing the filaments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional mechanical alignment methods are used to align filaments, then the alignment process becomes extremely time-consuming and difficult, but the filaments can be aligned parallel to each other

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilament alignment precisionVSAvoidalignment process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration by placing a vibrating body on the filaments in the container. The vibration causes the filaments to move and align themselves parallel to each other rapidly, achieving precise alignment without time-consuming manual or mechanical manipulation. This resolves the contradiction by using vibrational energy to accelerate the alignment process while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The filaments align themselves automatically through the vibration-induced motion without requiring external mechanical manipulation or human intervention. The vibrating body provides the energy, but the filaments self-organize into parallel alignment based on their own physical properties and interactions, significantly reducing process time while achieving precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If filaments are compressed to achieve flat bundle formation, then bundle uniformity improves, but filament damage and misalignment occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebundle thickness uniformityVSAvoidfilament integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using compression forces that can damage filaments, the patent uses mechanical vibration to achieve flat bundle formation. The vibration causes filaments to laterally distribute and align themselves, forming a uniform flat bundle through motion rather than compression. This maintains filament integrity while achieving the desired bundle uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical compression system with a vibration-based system. Rather than applying continuous compressive force that damages filaments, the system uses oscillatory vibration to achieve the same organizational effect (flat bundle formation) through dynamic motion, preserving filament reliability while achieving uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple deflection rollers with different diameters are used to fan out strands, then filament distribution improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilament distribution uniformityVSAvoidroller arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the alignment function from the complex multi-roller system and concentrates it into a single vibrating body. Instead of using multiple deflection rollers with different diameters to achieve filament distribution, the invention uses one vibrating body that directly contacts the filaments and induces alignment through vibration, significantly simplifying the device while maintaining distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from mechanical deflection (using multiple rollers of different diameters) to vibrational frequency and amplitude. By controlling the vibration parameters, the system achieves filament distribution and alignment without requiring complex mechanical arrangements, reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method allows for the rapid production of uniformly aligned filaments, ensuring even distribution and alignment, resulting in high-quality round brushes with consistent bundle thickness, overcoming the challenges of previous alignment techniques.

Implementation Method 1

A vibrating body is placed on the filaments in the container. The filaments are laterally distributed and aligned with each other by vibrating the vibrating body with a vertical motion component against the filaments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4142541B1Method and apparatus for producing a round brush
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 GB BOUCHERIE NV
  • EP4142541B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4142541B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4142541B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for producing a round brush makes provision for the filaments (22) which are to be processed to be introduced into a container (46) and then made to vibrate by a vibration body (50) which is placed in position from above and is made to vibrate in the vertical direction. The filaments (22) thereby align themselves in relation to one another before being gripped and clamped between two pieces of wire, which are twisted.