Sliver Transport Buffer for Continuous Spinning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passive sliver transport devices face inefficiencies due to the need to shut down spinning preparation machines when can changers are full, leading to reduced throughput and mass fluctuations in sliver delivery, which affects yarn quality and increases waste in spinning processes.

Innovation Solution

A sliver transport device with an input section, output section, and guide section equipped with a drive system that allows temporary storage of sliver between the sections, enabling higher infeed speeds and maintaining machine operation during can changes, with features like freewheel mechanisms for continuous drive roller operation and adjustable buffer lengths to manage sliver storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fiber sliver is temporarily stored between the spinning preparation machine and the reel using a vertically mounted roller, then the spinning preparation machine can continue operating, but the delivery speed is reduced to a maximum of 30 m/min which causes mass variations in the fiber sliver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidmass uniformity of fiber sliver
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical storage (single dimension) to horizontal storage with extended guide sections (additional dimension). By accommodating fiber tape in a horizontal region between the drive section and output section, the system achieves intermediate storage without constraining the spinning preparation machine's delivery speed, thus maintaining mass uniformity while enabling continuous operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary storage region within the transport device itself, located between the drive section and output section. This intermediary buffer allows the spinning preparation machine to operate at optimal speeds while the transport device manages the timing discrepancy with the can changer, preventing mass variations caused by speed reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the can changer is stationary during can change, then fiber sliver material accumulates between the spinning preparation machine and the transport device, but the spinning preparation machine can only operate at low speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation during can changeVSAvoiddelivery speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by allowing fiber tape to be accumulated in the intermediate storage region before the can changer becomes operational again. The extended guide section pre-accommodates the fiber tape at optimal speeds, so when the can changer resumes operation, the fiber tape can be fed without speed reduction or mass variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the transport device's guide section adaptable to different operational states. During can change, the extended guide section dynamically accommodates fiber tape at varying lengths, allowing the spinning preparation machine to maintain optimal delivery speed while the system adapts to the temporary interruption in the can changing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If fiber tape speed at the transport device is reduced during can change, then fiber tape can be temporarily stored, but mass fluctuations occur in the fiber tape material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporary storage capacityVSAvoidmass consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the speed reduction requirement from the spinning preparation machine by providing dedicated intermediate storage within the transport device. The spinning preparation machine maintains constant optimal speed, while the transport device's extended guide section handles the temporary storage function independently, preventing mass fluctuations in the fiber tape material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3371081B1Sliver-transporting apparatus and arrangement which can be formed thereby
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 TRUETZSCHLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3371081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3371081B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3371081B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An apparatus (30) for transporting a sliver (2) comprises, for each sliver which is to be transported, a respectively associated introduction portion (32), discharge portion (31) and guide portion. The latter has an associated drive portion (40), designed to act on at least one location of the associated sliver (2) which is to be transported. It is also configured so that the associated sliver (2), coming from the introduction portion (32), is guided in the direction of the associated discharge portion (31) and is accommodated, in a region between the associated drive portion (40) and associated discharge portion (31), by way of a length which is greater than a distance between the associated drive portion (40) and associated discharge portion (21). The invention discloses an arrangement (1) having a spinning preparation machine (10), a transporting apparatus (30), another machine (20) and a control device. The machine (10) has a discharge portion (21), configured to transfer at least one sliver (2) from the machine (10) to an associated introduction portion (32) of the transporting apparatus (30). An introduction portion (21) of the other machine (20) is configured so that it receives from the associated discharge portion (31) of the transporting apparatus (30) the sliver (2), or one of the slivers (2), transferred to the transporting apparatus (10) and sets said sliver, or slivers, down in a set-down container. The other machine (20) is configured so that, in the presence of a certain state, it interrupts or stops the operation of the sliver (2) being received from the transporting apparatus (30). The control device is configured to ensure that the drive portion (40) for said sliver (2) operates in accordance with the transportation-operation mode.