Single Feed Roller Fiber Distribution in Fleece Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed devices for fiber distribution in fleece-forming machines suffer from non-uniform fiber distribution across the width, leading to strength loss and irregularities in the material web, and have complex engineering designs with high costs due to multiple individually supported and actuated feed rollers.
Innovation Solution
A feed device with a single feed roller that draws in multiple strands of starting material, accompanied by metering devices to regulate the feed, allowing for precise control of fiber distribution without the need for multiple feed rollers, thereby reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple feed rollers are used to deliver fibers to the transport device, then the fiber distribution can be controlled transversely to the transport direction, but the spaces between the feed rollers create areas where no fibers are discharged, leading to loss of strength in the material web
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual feed rollers into a single continuous feed roller that spans the entire width of the material web. This continuous roller delivers fibers uniformly across the entire width without gaps, eliminating the weak areas that occurred between separate feed rollers while maintaining the ability to control fiber distribution transversely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the single feed roller into multiple independently controllable sections along its width. Each section can be individually adjusted to control the quantity of fibers discharged at different transverse positions, enabling precise fiber distribution control without requiring multiple separate feed rollers.
2Manufacturing precision
If each feed roller is individually supported and driven, then the feed rate can be precisely controlled for each segment, but the engineering design becomes complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual feed rollers into a single continuous feed roller structure. Instead of providing separate bearings and drives for each roller, the single roller is supported by a continuous bearing structure and driven by a single drive mechanism, dramatically simplifying the engineering design while maintaining precise control through segmented actuation of the roller surface.
3Ease of operation
If spaces are provided between feed rollers to allow individual support and drive, then the feed rollers can be individually actuated, but it becomes impossible to arrange feed rollers directly adjacent to each other, creating gaps in fiber discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete feed rollers into one continuous feed roller that extends across the entire width of the material web. This continuous structure eliminates gaps between rollers, ensuring continuous and reliable fiber discharge across the full width, while individual sections of the roller can still be independently actuated to control fiber distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
The feed device for delivering individualized fibers to a transport device comprises a feed roller, which is configured to draw in a plurality of strands of starting material arranged adjacent to each other, and an opening roller, which cooperates with the feed roller to open the strands of starting material. The feed device also comprises a plurality of metering devices assigned to the feed roller, wherein each metering device is configured to regulate the delivery of at least one strand of starting material to the feed roller.