Segmented Sheet Metal Knife Element for Fiber Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber processing machines with separation knives require a large space due to the structure of knife elements with upstream guide surfaces and downstream carding surfaces, limiting the number of separation knives on a roller and increasing the risk of separating good fibers.

Innovation Solution

A knife element with multiple knife blades and ejection openings, where not every ejection opening is assigned a suction channel, allowing for a compact design and flexible arrangement, with knife blades formed from sheet metal and ejection openings created through punching or machining, enabling efficient separation with reduced good fiber loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional knife element with upstream guide surface and downstream carding surface is used, then the separation function is achieved, but the space occupied on the roller circumference increases, limiting the number of separating knives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation rateVSAvoidcircumferential surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The knife element is segmented into multiple knife blades (at least two) arranged side-by-side within a single working element. Each knife blade has its own ejection openings for separating dirt and short fibers. This segmentation allows multiple separation functions to be performed within the space of a single traditional knife element, increasing the number of separating knives that can be mounted on the roller circumference while maintaining adequate separation rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a large distance between the element in front of the knife blade and the opposite roller surface is set up, then the required separation rate is achieved, but the risk of excess rejection of good fibers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation rateVSAvoidgood fiber loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The knife blades are designed with locally optimized characteristics including specific blade angles, ejection opening dimensions, and spacing arrangements. The ejection openings have specific length and width dimensions that are optimized for efficient dirt and short fiber removal while minimizing good fiber loss. This local quality optimization allows adequate separation rate to be achieved with smaller distances from the opposite roller surface, reducing the risk of good fiber rejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design allows for a higher number of knife blades in a smaller space, improving separation efficiency while minimizing the separation of good fibers, and enabling adjustable configurations for different fiber processing needs.

Implementation Method 1

After the pieces separated by the separating knife pass through the ejection opening, they are conveyed into a suction channel and removed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3712307B1Knife element for a fibre-processing machine and working element with a knife element
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 RIETER CZ AS
  • EP3712307B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3712307B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3712307B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a cutting element (16) and a working element with a cutting element (16) for a fiber processing machine with a working width (30) and a working direction (30) extending transversely to the working width (30). The cutting element (16) has a plurality of cutting blades (17, 18, 19) pointing against the working direction (30) and, viewed in the working direction (30), discharge openings (20) between the cutting blades (17), wherein the discharge openings (20) have a length (C) in the direction of the working width (31) and a width (D) in the working direction (31). The cutting element (16) is formed from a sheet metal part, wherein the discharge openings (20) in the sheet metal are in the form of through-holes and the cutting blades (17) are formed by edges of the through-holes.