Synchronized Feed Roller and Top Comb Drive for Combed Fibre Web

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices based on the Heilmann principle face challenges in achieving high numbers of comb cycles with large lap thicknesses, as they require precise coordination between the movement of the top comb and fiber material feeding, which is complicated by independent drives for the feed roller and top comb, leading to difficulties in manufacturing tolerance compensation and optimal setting across multiple combing heads.

Innovation Solution

The feed roller and top comb are driven by a common drive mechanism with directly coupled drive elements, utilizing a coupling mechanism and cam mechanism to synchronize their movements, allowing for adjustable coupling lengths and pivot axes to ensure precise coordination and minimal distance settings between the top comb and detaching roller or gripper unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If independent drives are used for the feed roller and top comb, then each component can be driven separately, but the coordination of movement sequences becomes complex and difficult to produce due to manufacturing tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent drive capabilityVSAvoidCoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the drive systems for the feed roller and top comb into a single common drive mechanism. The drive shaft simultaneously drives both the feed roller (via feed roller drive elements) and the top comb (via top comb drive elements), eliminating the need for separate independent drives and simplifying the coordination of movement sequences while maintaining adaptability in the combing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the top comb is moved in the direction of the detaching roller during the detaching process, then combing effectiveness is improved, but precise coordination with fiber material feeding becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCombing effectivenessVSAvoidCoordination precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by positioning the top comb at a predetermined distance from the detaching roller before the detaching process begins. The common drive mechanism ensures that the top comb and feed roller are coordinated in advance, allowing the top comb to be optimally positioned for combing effectiveness while maintaining precise coordination with the fiber material feeding process throughout the entire cycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple combing heads are arranged side by side, then productivity increases, but coordinating the movement sequences of all combing heads becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCombing outputVSAvoidMulti-head coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a common drive mechanism that can simultaneously control multiple combing heads arranged side by side. The single drive shaft with its associated feed roller and top comb drive elements serves all combing heads, enabling them to operate in coordinated synchronization. This universal drive system maintains consistent movement sequences across all combing heads, simplifying the coordination complexity while preserving high productivity through multi-head operation

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

Data Source

PatentEP2108720B1Device for making a combed fibre web
Publication Date: 2011.06.15 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP2108720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2108720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2108720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device (30) has a comb cylinder (16) rotatably supported below a gripper aggregate (1). The cylinder is provided on its periphery with a comb segment (19) and a drawing-off segment (20). A drawing-off roller (24) is fed to the drawing-off segment and is provided downstream to the device. A top comb (8) is movably supported between the aggregate and the roller. A feed roller (5) and the top comb are driven by a cam disk (KS) and a shaft (22), which are connected with a drive (A1). Drive elements of the feed roller are directly coupled with drive elements of the top comb.