Sliver Guide with Adjustable Lateral Elements for Fiber Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing draw frames produce nonwoven fabrics with varying quality due to limited mixing of slivers of different thicknesses or fiber lengths, resulting in non-uniform fiber webs and yarns.

Innovation Solution

A sliver guide with multiple guide sections, including a third guide section for reuniting slivers after initial separation, allows for adjustable lateral guidance, ensuring slivers overlap before entering the drafting system, thereby enhancing mixing and uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If slivers are guided through a single guide section, then the device complexity is low, but the homogeneity of the fiber web deteriorates due to limited mixing of slivers of different qualities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of fiber webVSAvoidcomplexity of guide system
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide system is divided into multiple guide sections (first, second, third guide sections) arranged at different positions. Each guide section independently guides a group of slivers, allowing separate control and adjustment of sliver paths to achieve better mixing and homogeneity in the final fiber web.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide sections are arranged in different spatial dimensions (side-by-side arrangement with lateral guidance elements). This multi-dimensional arrangement allows slivers from different guide sections to overlap and mix in the drafting area, improving homogeneity without requiring complex sequential processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between guide elements is fixed, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different sliver configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different sliver configurationsVSAvoidadjustability mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral guidance elements are designed with adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow the distance between guide elements to be dynamically changed. This enables the guide system to adapt to different sliver thicknesses, widths, and configurations while maintaining proper guidance and overlap control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable lateral guidance elements serve multiple functions: they guide slivers laterally, control the overlap between adjacent slivers, and adapt to different sliver configurations. This multi-functionality increases versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If slivers are guided closely together, then the homogeneity improves through better mixing, but the loss of substance increases due to potential fiber damage in narrow passages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of fiber distributionVSAvoidfiber damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the guidance into multiple separate guide sections with multiple lateral guidance elements, the system provides multiple pathways for slivers. This segmentation allows slivers to be distributed more evenly and reduces concentration of stress in any single narrow passage, minimizing fiber damage while maintaining mixing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral guidance elements act as intermediaries that gently control and redirect slivers into proper overlapping positions. Rather than forcing slivers through narrow passages, these intermediary elements guide them smoothly into place, reducing mechanical stress and fiber damage while achieving the desired uniform distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3119712B1Sliver guide for a drawing frame, and drawing frame
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 RIETER INGOLSTADT GMBH
  • EP3119712B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3119712B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3119712B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliver guide for guiding a plurality of textile slivers (2) in an entry region (3) of a drawing frame (4), comprising a first guide portion (5) for guiding a first group of textile slivers (2), and comprising a second guide portion (6) for separately guiding a second group of textile slivers (2), wherein in a side view of the sliver guide (1), the first guide portion (5) and the second guide portion (6) are spaced apart from one another. According to the invention, the sliver guide (1) has a third guide portion (7), which in the aforementioned side view is spaced apart from the first guide portion (5) and from the second guide portion (6), wherein to at least one of the guide portions (5; 6; 7), lateral guide elements (9) for laterally guiding textile slivers (2) are assigned, wherein the mutual distance (A) of the guide elements (9) can be adjusted.