Yarn Take-Up Coupler Structure for Non-Parallel Axis Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling devices for spun yarn take-up systems face difficulties in coupling when the axes of the male and female couplers are not parallel, leading to potential clogging and poor coupling efficiency, especially in systems with valves that can catch yarns and narrow passages.

Innovation Solution

A coupling device with a first coupler and a second coupler, featuring a cylindrical ring member, seal ring, and bias mechanism, where the ring member is biased towards the first coupler, allowing for adjustable attitude to ensure contact and communication between the couplers even if their axes are not parallel, preventing clogging and enabling smooth yarn passage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a valve is provided in the coupling device to control fluid flow, then fluid flow control is improved, but yarn clogging occurs and passage becomes narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow controlVSAvoidyarn clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the valve component from the coupling device entirely. The patent explicitly states that existing coupling devices with valves cause yarn to be caught and passages to narrow, leading to clogging. The new design achieves fluid flow control through the coupling mechanism itself without requiring a separate valve, thereby eliminating the clogging problem while maintaining flow control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides fluid flow control, enables coupling/decoupling of pipes, and prevents yarn clogging all through a single integrated mechanism. The coupling structure itself controls fluid flow between connected pipes without requiring additional valve components, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate yarn-catching prevention mechanisms.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the axis of the male coupler is not parallel to the axis of the female coupler, then adaptability to misalignment is improved, but coupling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxis alignment toleranceVSAvoidcoupling difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device incorporates a movable base that can transition between fixed and horizontally movable states. When coupling, the movable base allows horizontal movement to correct axis misalignment between male and female couplers. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to non-parallel axes while maintaining ease of operation, as the movable base automatically compensates for alignment deviations during the coupling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are added to the inner passage to enable coupling of non-parallel couplers, then coupling adaptability is improved, but device complexity and clogging risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling adaptabilityVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the alignment correction function with the existing movable base structure. Instead of adding separate components to the inner passage to handle non-parallel coupling, the design integrates the alignment adjustment capability into the base that already supports the coupler. This merging approach maintains coupling adaptability while avoiding increased device complexity and clogging risk from additional internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution allows for reliable coupling of non-parallel couplers, preventing yarn clogging and ensuring efficient yarn passage, reducing the need for additional components in the passage and minimizing the risk of device clogging, thus enhancing the system's operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a bias mechanism (96) that biases the ring member (93) toward the first cylinder body (91)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A sealing member (94) is disposed on at least one of an end face of the first cylinder body (91) and an end face of the ring member (93)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3722647B1Spun yarn take-up system
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 TMT MACHINERY INC
  • EP3722647B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3722647B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3722647B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a coupling device suitable for arrangement in a pipe connected to a yarn sucking device and capable of coupling paired couplers if axes of the couplers are not parallel to each other. A first coupler 83 includes a first cylinder body 91. A second coupler 84 includes a second cylinder body 92 facing the first cylinder body 91, a cylindrical ring member 93 engaged on an outer side of the second cylinder body 92 with a gap, and movable in an axial direction of the second cylinder body 92, a seal ring 95 arranged between the second cylinder body 92 and the ring member 93, and a bias mechanism 96 biasing the ring member 93 toward the first cylinder body 91. A ring member 94 is provided on an end face of the first cylinder body 91. One coupler 84 is moved toward the other coupler 83, and an end face of the ring member 93 contacts the end face of the first cylinder body 91 via the sealing member 94, whereby an inner passage of the first cylinder body 91 is brought into communication with an inner passage of the second cylinder body 92.