Textile Machine Conveying Unit Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts for textile materials face issues with insufficient sealing between the textile machine and deflection pulleys, leading to textile material accumulation and dust entry into the interior space, which can cause friction and damage to moving parts.
Innovation Solution
A conveying unit with an endlessly circulating and drivable conveying element, featuring two side walls and two sealing devices with sealing elements that extend from the conveying element to prevent textile material and dust from entering the interior space, and a roof element that covers the sealing elements to enhance sealing and prevent material accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing devices are installed between side walls and conveying element, then textile material and dust are prevented from entering interior space, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements (such as rubber or plastic strips) that can deform to accommodate the conveying element's movement and deflection. These flexible seals maintain continuous contact with the conveying element surface, creating an effective barrier against textile material and dust without requiring complex rigid sealing mechanisms. The flexibility allows the sealing elements to adapt to dimensional changes while maintaining the seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing elements positioned at different locations along the conveying element's perimeter. Each sealing element operates independently to seal its specific section, allowing for easier maintenance and replacement. This segmented approach reduces the complexity of the overall sealing system compared to a single comprehensive seal, while maintaining effective protection throughout the entire conveying path.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing elements extend away from conveying element surface, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but risk of textile material accumulation on sealing elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements extend in the vertical dimension (perpendicular to the conveying element surface) to create an effective seal. This vertical extension forms a barrier that prevents textile material from bypassing the seal through the conveying element's edges. The sealing elements protrude outward from the conveying element surface, creating a three-dimensional sealing structure that maintains effectiveness while allowing for material accumulation management through proper positioning and design.
3Productivity
If conveying element circulates continuously, then productivity is improved, but sealing wear and friction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are designed with optimized physical parameters including appropriate height, width, and material properties to minimize friction and wear during continuous operation. The sealing elements' dimensions are carefully selected to provide effective sealing while reducing contact area and frictional forces. Material selection considers factors such as friction coefficients, wear resistance, and flexibility to maintain seal effectiveness throughout continuous circulation without excessive wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements act as intermediary components between the conveying element and the surrounding environment. These intermediaries absorb the friction and wear that would otherwise directly affect the conveying element's reliability. The sealing elements are positioned to protect the conveying element's edges while maintaining continuous contact, thereby extending the overall system's operational life during continuous circulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying unit of a textile machine has an endless circulating and drivable conveying element, the conveying element having a conveying area on an outer side thereof to receive and convey textile material. Opposite side walls are disposed to hold the textile material in the conveying area in a transverse direction of the conveying element. A sealing device is arranged between each of the side walls and the conveying element such that an interior space enclosed by the conveying element is at least partially sealed with respect to the textile material. The sealing device includes a sealing element connected to the conveying element so as to extend transversely away from and above the outer side of the conveying element.