Web Transport Suction Chamber for Sheet Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet manufacturing apparatuses face difficulties in effectively sucking and peeling off the tip-end portion of a web due to insufficient suction force and air intake, leading to incomplete sheet formation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a second transport unit with a suction chamber positioned to face the first transport belt, a supplementary member to reduce air intake, and controllable suction regions to enhance static pressure and ensure reliable adhesion of the web to the second transport belt, even when the apparatus stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction is performed at the tip-end portion of the web, then the web should be peeled off and transported, but the suction force is insufficient because the tip-end portion is thin and air intake occurs in empty space
Solution Approach 1:
The suction chamber is positioned to face the first transport belt at a location where the tip-end portion of the web will be accumulated, performing suction action in advance before the web reaches the transport zone. This preliminary positioning ensures the thin tip-end portion is captured effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction chamber acts as an intermediary structure between the first and second transport belts, providing a controlled suction environment that mediates the transfer of the web from one belt to the other, solving the problem of insufficient direct suction at the tip-end portion.
2Reliability
If the suction chamber is positioned to face the first transport belt, then the tip-end portion is likely to be adsorbed, but air intake increases reducing suction effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The suction chamber is designed with localized suction regions that concentrate suction force at specific areas where the web contacts the second transport belt, rather than uniform suction across the entire chamber. This local quality approach increases suction effectiveness while managing air intake.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction chamber is divided into multiple suction regions with different characteristics, allowing selective suction at different locations and times, thereby optimizing the balance between web adsorption and air intake control.
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 configuration increases the likelihood of the tip-end portion being adsorbed onto the second transport belt, ensuring complete sheet formation and preventing web drop-off during transport without suction.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit that generates a suction force, a second transport belt that circles around, and a suction chamber which is positioned in an inner side of the second transport belt circling around and of which an inner space is sucked by the suction unit such that the web is adsorbed onto the second transport belt
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a first transport unit that causes a first transport belt to circle around so as to transport a web containing a fiber; and a second transport unit that is disposed with a part thereof shifted from the first transport unit toward the downstream side in a transport direction of the web, sucks the web in a direction in which the web is spaced from the first transport belt, and transports the web. The second transport unit includes a suction unit that generates a suction force and a suction chamber which is positioned on an inner side of a second transport belt circling around and of which an inner space is sucked by the suction unit such that the web is adsorbed onto the second transport belt. A part of the suction chamber faces the first transport belt.