Spinning Machine Compaction Unit Guide Means Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for compression units in spinning machines are time-consuming to convert and maintain, especially in machines with many spinning positions, and often result in misalignment of rollers, leading to inefficient operation and potential interruptions in the spinning process.

Innovation Solution

A compression unit is designed with guide means along its pivot axis, fixed to the machine frame via a spring-loaded holding element, allowing simultaneous alignment and operation of pressure rollers and compression units using a single pressure lever, ensuring precise alignment and reducing vibration susceptibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the compression unit is made retrofittable and pivotable for easy attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the alignment precision between rollers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pivot axis with guide means as an intermediary mechanism between the compression unit and the drafting unit. This guide means constrains the movement path during pivoting, ensuring that the compression unit aligns precisely with the drafting unit's rollers while maintaining easy retrofittability and pivotability for attachment and detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the compression unit is designed as a compact structural unit for easy transfer, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional attachment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of transferVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the compression unit with the pivotable attachment mechanism into a single integrated assembly. The carrier of the compression unit is directly pivotably mounted on the machine frame via the pivot axis, merging the compression function with the attachment/detachment function. This reduces the need for separate complex attachment mechanisms while maintaining ease of transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the pressure rollers and compression unit are positioned independently, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent positioningVSAvoidalignment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements guide means along the pivot axis that provide geometric constraints and feedback during the pivoting motion. As the compression unit pivots into position, the guide means ensures that the pressure rollers and compression unit automatically align with each other, providing passive feedback that prevents misalignment while allowing independent positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 design enables quick and easy assembly/disassembly, precise alignment of rollers, and self-contained operation, preventing material accumulation and ensuring continuous spinning by locking both systems in their operating position, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance time.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element (19), with which the carrier (20) is acted upon during the transfer into the operating position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

suctioned, circulating, perforated suction drums or circulating, perforated aprons are used as compression devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

the drive of the suction drum is taken directly from the pressure roller of the output roller pair of the drafting system unit via friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2737116B1Spinning machine having a compaction device
Publication Date: 2015.07.29 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP2737116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1b
  • EP2737116B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2737116B1 patent drawingFigure 5~5b

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for compacting a sliver (V) on a spinning machine, comprising a drafting unit (2) having successive drafting roller pairs (3, 4; 5, 6; 7, 8), the top rollers (4, 6, 8) of which are anchored on a pressure lever (10) pivotally mounted on the machine frame (MR), and comprising a compaction unit (VM) pivotally mounted on the machine frame (MR) adjacent to the delivery roller pair (7, 8) of the drafting unit (2). The pivot axis (MA) of the compaction unit runs parallel to and spaced apart from the axes of rotation (7a, 8a) of the delivery roller pair (7, 8), and the compaction unit comprises a support (20) on which at least one suction drum (17) provided with a suction zone (Z) is rotatably mounted. A respective nip roll (33) fastened to the support (20) bears against the suction drum (17) under the influence of a pressure element (F2) in order to form a nip line (P) at the end of the suction zone (Z). In order to form a drive connection between the bottom roller (7) of the delivery roller pair (7, 8) and the suction drum (17), at least one spring element (F1, 55; 68) acts on the support (20) at a distance from the pivot axis (MA) thereof, as a result of which the suction drum (17) is moved towards the bottom roller (7) of the delivery roller pair (7, 8). In order to improve known solutions, according to the invention guide means (30) are provided in the region of the pivot axis (MA) of the support (20) of the compaction unit (VM), via which guide means the compaction unit, viewed in the direction of the pivot axis (MA) thereof, is fixed in the mounted position thereof on the machine frame (MR), and the spring element (F1, 55; 68) is mounted at the free end of the pressure lever (10).