Sheet Manufacturing Apparatus Residual Material Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sheet manufacturing apparatuses, residual material that cannot pass through small hole screens accumulates in forming drums, reducing the sieving function's efficiency and causing material to entangle with rotating needle rolls.
Innovation Solution
A sheet manufacturing apparatus with a cylindrical screening unit having openings on a curved surface that rotates, accompanied by a discharge unit and guiding unit to efficiently remove residual material and prevent entanglement, utilizing a fixed, plate-shaped fixing member to improve sieving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a forming drum with small hole screen is used for paper formation, then sheet forming capability is improved, but residual material accumulates inside the drum reducing sieving efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic residual material from the forming drum by introducing a discharge unit with a scraper that removes accumulated material from the drum interior, preventing buildup and maintaining sieving efficiency while preserving the drum's sheet forming capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a discharge unit as an intermediary mechanism between the forming drum and the external environment. This unit includes a scraper that acts as a mediator to remove residual material without interfering with the primary sheet forming function of the drum
2Use of energy by stationary object
If material is allowed to remain inside the forming drum, then continuous operation is maintained, but residual material accumulates filling the drum interior
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge unit operates automatically during drum rotation, with the scraper continuously removing residual material as it accumulates. This self-service mechanism maintains continuous operation while preventing volume loss without requiring manual intervention or stopping the process
3Manufacturing precision
If a rotating needle roll is used in the forming drum, then sheet formation quality is improved, but fiber material attaches and becomes entangled on the needle roll
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge unit with scraper extracts entangled material from the needle roll surface during drum rotation, removing the harmful entanglement that degrades sheet formation quality while preserving the needle roll's forming function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful entanglement issue into a benefit by using the discharge unit to collect and remove entangled material, which can then be separated and reused, turning a quality problem into a resource recovery opportunity
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 apparatus effectively discharges residual material and enhances the sieving function by preventing material entanglement and accumulation, improving the overall efficiency of the process.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical unit 310 that has a plurality of openings 311 on a curved surface and rotates
Implementation Method 2
a discharge unit 550 that is provided to the other side unit 500b, is located downward from the introduction unit 540, and discharges a residual material
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a screening unit configured to allow a material having fibers to pass through from openings and screen the material, and a forming unit configured to form a sheet by using a passed material that has been screened. The screening unit has a cylindrical unit with openings on a curved surface which is configured to rotate, two side units that are located at two end parts of the cylindrical unit which are spaced apart in a direction of extension of a rotation center axis thereof and that is configured not to rotate, an introduction unit provided to one of the side units and configured to introduce the material to the cylindrical unit, and a discharge unit provided to the other of the side units, located downward from the introduction unit, and configured to discharge a residual material that does not pass through the openings.