Sheet Manufacturing Apparatus Uniform Suction Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet manufacturing apparatuses require a lengthy transfer wire due to the need for a suction unit, leading to increased size and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sheet manufacturing apparatus with a second transport unit that positions the suction unit on the outer side of the second transport belt, utilizing a current plate with varying hole sizes and distances to achieve uniform suction force, reducing the apparatus size by eliminating the need for a lengthy suction chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction unit is provided in a transfer wire, then the web can be sucked onto the transfer wire, but the transfer wire has to be lengthy and the apparatus is increased in size
Solution Approach 1:
The suction unit is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement along the transfer wire to a vertical arrangement below the transfer wire. The suction chamber is formed by the transfer wire itself and the bottom surface of the apparatus, creating a vertical suction zone that eliminates the need for a lengthy horizontal suction chamber while maintaining effective web suction capability.
2Reliability
If the suction unit is positioned to create effective suction, then the web can be sucked onto the transfer wire, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction chamber is merged with the apparatus housing structure. The bottom surface of the apparatus serves as one wall of the suction chamber, and the transfer wire forms another wall, eliminating the need for separate suction chamber components and reducing overall apparatus volume while maintaining suction effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If a current plate with holes is used to diffuse air current, then uniform suction force is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current plate is designed with non-uniform hole distribution, where hole size and spacing vary across different regions of the plate. This local variation in hole characteristics allows optimization of air current diffusion in different zones, achieving uniform suction force across the transfer wire width while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
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 solution allows for a compact sheet manufacturing apparatus with uniform suction force across the width of the second transport belt, enhancing productivity and reducing the apparatus's overall size.
Implementation Method 1
the suction unit is configured to create suction inside the suction chamber to suck the web onto the second transport belt
Implementation Method 2
The current plate is spaced apart from a surface of the second transport belt such that the air current is diffused between the current plate and the surface of the second transport belt to achieve a uniform suction force in a width direction of the second transport belt
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a first transport unit, a second transport belt disposed with a part thereof shifted from the first transport unit toward the downstream side in a transport direction of the web, a suction chamber positioned in an inner side of the second transport belt and configured to create suction inside the suction chamber to suck the web onto the second transport belt, and a current plate positioned inside of the suction chamber to adjust an air current. The current plate has a plurality of holes, and is spaced apart from a surface of the second transport belt such that the air current is diffused between the current plate and the surface of the second transport belt to achieve a uniform suction force in a width direction of the second transport belt.