Slotted Winding Drum With Adjustable Yarn Guide Slot Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slotted drums in winding machines require complex cleaning and threading processes, necessitating disassembly and are prone to yarn guide slot abrasion, which complicates the handling of different yarn colors and types.

Innovation Solution

A slotted drum design with a first half slidably mounted on the drum shaft, allowing for both linear and rotational movement, facilitated by an actuator, which widens the yarn guide slot for easy threading and cleaning, and includes a protective cover that automatically adjusts the drum halves for access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the yarn guide slot is made narrow to maintain precise yarn guidance, then the threading process becomes complicated and difficult, but making it wider would cause excessive widening of the winding sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreading easeVSAvoidwinding section uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drum body is designed with movable halves that can dynamically adjust the yarn guide slot width. During threading, the slot is opened wide to facilitate easy yarn insertion. During winding, the slot closes to its normal narrow width to maintain precise yarn guidance and uniform winding sections. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between threading ease and winding precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the drum body is made as a single integrated piece, then the structure is simple and robust, but cleaning the yarn guide slot becomes complex and requires disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The drum body is segmented into two separable halves that can be moved relative to each other. This segmentation allows the yarn guide slot to be opened by separating the halves, providing direct access for cleaning without requiring complete disassembly of the drum structure. The segmented design maintains structural robustness while enabling easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If an actuator is added to move the drum body halves for opening the yarn guide slot, then threading and cleaning become easier, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreading and cleaning easeVSAvoidactuator mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator operates periodically rather than continuously, moving the drum body halves only when needed for threading or cleaning operations. During normal winding operations, the actuator remains inactive and the drum operates in its standard configuration. This periodic activation minimizes the impact of the actuator mechanism on overall device complexity while still providing the benefits of easy threading and cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Ease of operation

If the first half of the drum body is slidably mounted to enable movement, then the yarn guide slot can be opened for threading and cleaning, but the reliability of rotational fixation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslot opening capabilityVSAvoidrotational fixation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first half of the drum body is designed with a dynamic mounting system that provides two distinct states: during normal operation, the half is rotationally fixed to ensure stable yarn guidance; during threading or cleaning, the half can be slidably moved to open the yarn guide slot. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between fixed and movable states as needed, maintaining both operational reliability and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4227247B1Winding drum for a winding machine and winding machine
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 SSM SCHIRER SCHWEITER METTLER AG
  • EP4227247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4227247B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4227247B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a slotted drum for a dishwasher for traversing a yarn (13), comprising a drum body (1) consisting of a first half (2) and a second half (3), and a drum shaft (10) with a drum axle (11), wherein the drum body (1) is held rotationally fixed on the drum shaft (10) and has a yarn guide slot (12) circumferential around the drum body (1), which is formed by the adjacent halves (2, 3) of the drum body (1). Each half (2, 3) is formed from a side plate (4, 5), a cylindrical shell (6, 7), and a hub (8, 9) for mounting on the drum shaft (10).At least the first half (2) of the drum body (1) is held displaceably on the drum shaft (10) in the direction of the drum axis (11) and an actuator (19) is provided for moving the at least first half (2) of the drum body (1) on the drum shaft (10) in the direction of the drum axis (11), wherein in addition to moving the at least first half (2) of the drum body (1) in the direction of the drum axis (11) a simultaneous rotation (22) of the at least first half (2) relative to the second half (3) about the drum axis (11) is provided.