Segmented Suction Channels for Roller Scraper Material Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scraping devices on spinning preparation machines struggle to continuously remove material at high speeds, leading to accumulations that impair the drafting process and result in uneven slivers.

Innovation Solution

Each scraping device is attached to its own suction channel with a specific airflow design, allowing for efficient removal of material to a vacuum source, and the suction channels are adjustable to maintain effective airflow and alignment with the rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine speed is increased to improve productivity, then the amount of material scraped off per unit time increases, but the known scraping devices can no longer continuously remove the scraped material leading to accumulations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine speedVSAvoidcontinuous removal of scraped material
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single suction hood is divided into multiple separate suction channels, each assigned to a specific scraping device. This segmentation allows each suction channel to be optimized for its corresponding scraper, ensuring sufficient airflow velocity to remove scraped material even at high machine speeds. The segmented design prevents material accumulations by providing dedicated removal paths for each scraping location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a vacuum source connected to each suction channel to generate airflow that removes scraped material. The pneumatic system is designed to maintain adequate air velocity within each suction channel, ensuring continuous removal of material scraped by the high-speed rotating rollers. This pneumatic approach enables reliable material removal that scales with increased machine productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Device complexity

If a single suction hood is used for multiple scraping devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the airflow is insufficient to remove material at high speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction system structureVSAvoidmaterial removal rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using one shared suction hood, the system segments the suction function into multiple independent channels, each serving a specific scraping device. This segmentation increases the material removal rate by providing dedicated airflow to each scraping location, while the modular nature of the segmented design actually simplifies the overall system architecture and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each suction channel is locally optimized for its specific scraping device, with the scraping edge protruding beyond the suction channel opening to ensure the scraped material is immediately drawn into the channel. This local optimization ensures sufficient airflow velocity at each scraping point to handle high-speed material removal, with each channel tailored to its specific location and scraping requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the scraping edge lies against the roller surface with specific contact pressure, then the stripping function is effective, but scraped material accumulates on the scraper at high speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping functionVSAvoidmaterial accumulation on scraper
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vacuum source creates negative pressure within each suction channel, generating airflow that actively removes scraped material from the scraper surface. This pneumatic removal system prevents material accumulations while the scraper maintains its effective contact pressure against the roller for reliable stripping. The airflow continuously clears the scraper, eliminating the harmful accumulation effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The suction channel acts as an intermediary between the scraping device and the vacuum source. It provides a controlled pathway where scraped material is immediately drawn away from the scraper surface after being stripped. This intermediary suction channel system effectively separates the stripping function (maintaining contact pressure) from the material removal function (preventing accumulation).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures continuous removal of material without accumulation, maintaining process efficiency and preventing material from entering the nip line, thus ensuring a uniform sliver formation.

Implementation Method 1

match or design the respective suction channel to the scraping device used in such a way that a sufficient air flow is generated in this area to safely and quickly transfer the scraped material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a suction hood arranged above the scraping devices and connected to a vacuum source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3140441B1Device with a drafting device for cleaning roller surfaces of a drafting system device
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP3140441B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3140441B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3140441B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c

AI summary

The invention relates to a device on a spinning preparation machine, said device comprising: a drawing frame (1) for processing a fibrous material (G) moved in a conveying direction (F) through the drawing frame; a number of roller pairs arranged behind one another having upper and lower rollers (2, 3; 4, 5; 6, 7); at least two longitudinal scraper devices (9), the respective scraper edges (K) of which abut one of the upper rollers (3, 5, 7) in order to remove dirt and other impurities; and a suction hood (AH) arranged above the scraper devices (9) and connected to a vacuum source (U). According to the invention, in order to avoid accumulations of stripped components in the region of the scraper devices, and in order to improve suction, each of the scraper devices (9) is attached to its own suction channel (11, 12, 13), wherein the scraper edge (K) of each scraper device (9) extends beyond the suction channel thereof in the region of a first opening (O1), and the individual suction channels are secured to a base wall (8) provided with openings (B1, B2, B3), wherein each suction channel (11, 12, 13) is provided with a second opening (O2) opposite the first opening (O1) and facing one of the openings (B1, B2, B3) of the base wall (8), wherein the suction hood (AH) extends beyond the openings (B1, B2, B3) of the base wall, and is attached to the side of the base wall (8) facing the suction channels (11, 12, 13).