Power Switching Gear for Sheet Roller Cleaning and Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in reducing cost and size due to the need for additional motors for mechanisms that separate felt rollers from calender rollers, leading to increased wear and deformation issues.
Innovation Solution
A sheet manufacturing apparatus with a power switching unit that includes an input gear and shaft capable of rotating in both directions, using one-way clutches to selectively drive either the cleaning or separation mechanism, allowing for efficient distribution of driving force without the need for additional motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanism for separating the felt roller from the calender roller is provided, then wear and deformation of the felt roller is reduced, but cost and size of the apparatus increase due to addition of motors
Solution Approach 1:
The single driving unit is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between driving the felt roller for cleaning operations and driving the separating mechanism for separation operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate motors, thereby reducing apparatus size and cost while maintaining felt roller durability through proper separation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The felt roller is designed to be self-cleaning through its rotation driven by the single driving unit. The cleaning action is achieved by the felt roller's own rotation and contact with the calender roller, without requiring additional cleaning mechanisms, thus simplifying the overall apparatus structure
2Productivity
If the felt roller is always in contact with the calender roller, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but wear and deformation of the felt roller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The felt roller alternates between contact and separation states through periodic operation. During cleaning operations, the felt roller contacts the calender roller for effective cleaning. During separation operations, the felt roller is separated to reduce wear. This periodic switching optimizes both cleaning effectiveness and felt roller service life
3Ease of operation
If additional motors are added for separation mechanism, then separation capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single driving unit is designed to provide separation capability through its ability to switch between driving the felt roller and driving the separating mechanism. This multi-functional design achieves the required separation capability without the need for additional motors, thereby reducing apparatus cost while maintaining operational ease
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 enables cost suppression and size reduction by allowing a single driving unit to power both cleaning and separation operations, maintaining apparatus efficiency and reducing wear on components.
Implementation Method 1
The one-way clutch of the first gear transmits only the driving force in the first rotation direction from the input shaft, and the one-way clutch of the second gear transmits only the driving force in the second rotation direction from the input shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a processing roller, a first processing unit configured to clean the processing roller, a second processing unit configured to separate the first processing unit from the processing roller, a driving unit configured to drive the first processing unit and the second processing unit, and a gear interposed between the driving unit and the first processing unit and the second processing unit. The gear includes an input gear configured to receive driving force from the driving unit, an input shaft configured to rotate in conjunction with the input gear, and a first gear and a second gear whose rotation shaft is the input shaft. Driving force in a first rotation direction is output from the input shaft to the first processing unit via the first gear, and driving force in a second rotation direction is output from the input shaft to the second processing unit via the second gear.