A low-power-consumption high-reliability needle selection device, a jacquard assembly thereof and a jacquard machine

Abstract

This invention discloses a low-power, high-reliability needle selection device and its jacquard assembly and jacquard machine. It includes a substrate with vertical hook guides on both sides, a pulley system groove in the middle, and an electromagnet at the top. The electromagnet has armature hooks on both sides, and the straight rod of the armature hook engages with the two magnetic poles of the electromagnet to form a closed magnetic circuit. Vertical hooks are located within the vertical hook guides of the substrate, and a through-wire pulley system is located within the pulley system groove. A raised edge is located below the hook tip of the vertical hook. This invention is a semi-active needle selection device. The magnetic end of its armature hook can move between a static magnetic gap position, a dynamic magnetic gap position, and a closed magnetic circuit position. Simultaneously, it employs a fully linear vertical hook guide and a raised edge design, forming a new hook-and-unhooking technology. This allows for the design of larger hooks for reliable load-bearing without concerns about difficulty in unhooking large hooks. It not only has a compact structure and low power consumption, but also high lateral displacement accuracy of the armature hook, and sufficient design margin to ensure operational reliability under complex working conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of electronic jacquard machines in textile machinery, specifically relating to a low-power, high-reliability needle selection device and a jacquard assembly and jacquard machine equipped with this needle selection device. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, electronic jacquard machines have made significant progress. A key component of an electronic jacquard machine is the needle selector (also called a solenoid valve, electromagnet, or assembly). The needle selector is the actuating component of the electronic jacquard machine, and its function is to convert electrical signals into the physical movement of the warp yarns rising and falling. The working principle of the needle selector is existing technology, similar to that of an electromagnetic relay. It is a monostable device; that is, when the coil is not energized, there is no electromagnetic force, and the armature is in position 1 (stable state) under the action of the return spring. When the coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated, attracting the armature, and the armature is in position 2 (metastable state). In the needle selector, one end of the armature is made into a hook shape, hence the name armature hook. The needle selector also includes a vertical hook that moves up and down with the jacquard machine's lifting blade; the hook of the vertical hook can hook with the hook of the armature hook. In practical operation, when the vertical hook disengages from the armature hook ("disengaged" state), the vertical hook moves with the lifting knife under the action of the through-wire spring; when the vertical hook hooks onto the armature hook ("hooked" state), the vertical hook disengages from the lifting knife and does not move with the lifting knife. The tension of the through-wire spring is ultimately applied to the frame (armature hook-shaft-base plate-needle box-frame) through the armature hook. Typically, position 1 (steady state) is the "hooked" state, and position 2 (meteoric stable state) is the "disengaged" state, or vice versa. Since the vertical hook connects the through-wire and heddles to control the warp yarns, the rise and fall of the vertical hook corresponds to the rise and fall of the warp yarns. Jacquard machines are available in single-action and double-action types. The double-action type has a more complex mechanism; one jacquard needle (first thread) corresponds to two vertical hooks, and the two vertical hooks are converted into the rise and fall of one jacquard needle (first thread) through a pulley system. The double-action jacquard machine causes less damage to the warp yarns, which is beneficial for weaving. Currently, most electronic jacquard machines are double-action. Mass-produced commercial needle selection devices typically combine eight (or multiples of eight) electromagnets and their corresponding mechanisms into a single assembly, called a component, to facilitate installation and maintenance.

[0003] Because jacquard looms operate with thousands or even tens of thousands of needles simultaneously, this translates to thousands or even tens of thousands of needle selector devices working concurrently. This presents two significant challenges: operational reliability and power consumption. For example, a needle selector device with position 1 in a "hung" state and position 2 in a "released" state may fail to release itself during the transition from "hung" to "released," resulting in "skipped needles" during weaving—a clear indication of low operational reliability. Furthermore, the densely packed needle selector devices, coupled with the high power consumption of the electromagnet coils, inevitably generate significant heat. Prolonged operation can cause temperature rise in the needle selector devices, leading to deformation of mechanical parts and impacting operational reliability. Simultaneously, high power consumption places higher demands on the system power supply and drive circuitry, increasing the failure rate of these components.

[0004] The reliability of needle selector mechanisms often manifests as a "tolerance margin" to various external factors, such as voltage, temperature, vibration, frictional resistance of moving parts, electromagnetic interference, inconsistent blade lifting height, blade deformation, manufacturing errors in mass production, and wear and deformation after long-term continuous operation. Needle selector mechanisms with high tolerance margins to these external factors naturally have high reliability, while those with low tolerance margins are prone to random failures in field use. Therefore, designing highly reliable needle selector mechanisms essentially boils down to improving the tolerance margins of these mechanisms to various external factors.

[0005] From an electromagnet design perspective, low power consumption means a small coil current. With a constant number of coil turns, a smaller coil current inevitably produces a smaller electromagnetic force. However, from a reliability standpoint, a larger electromagnetic force often ensures more reliable switching. Therefore, low power consumption and high reliability are contradictory. Furthermore, the magnetic gap between the electromagnet and the armature is also an issue. In needle selection devices, the armature is made into a hook shape, called an armature hook. A larger magnetic gap allows for a larger stroke and deeper hook, resulting in clearer "hooked" and "disengaged" states, which is beneficial for the reliability of physical action. However, a larger magnetic gap also leads to higher magnetic reluctance. Under the same current, the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet decreases, requiring more coil power to complete the same action. This again presents a contradiction between high reliability and low power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a low-power, high-reliability needle selection device, a jacquard assembly equipped with the needle selection device, and a jacquard machine.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems and achieve the above-mentioned technical effects, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0008] A low-power, high-reliability needle selection device includes a substrate with fully linear vertical hook guides on both sides. A pulley system groove is located in the middle of the substrate. An electromagnet is mounted on the upper part of the substrate via an electromagnet frame. An armature hook is located on each of the left and right sides of the electromagnet. The shaft holes of the two armature hooks are rotatably connected to the substrate via corresponding rotating shafts. The inner surfaces of the hook tips of the two armature hooks are elastically connected to the left and right sides of the electromagnet frame via corresponding springs. The straight rod of the armature hook, when engaged with the two magnetic poles of the electromagnet, forms a closed magnetic circuit. A vertical hook is located within each of the vertical hook guides on both sides of the substrate for engaging with the corresponding armature hook. The substrate has a pulley system with a through-wire pulley system in the pulley groove. The two vertical hooks slide up and down through the through-wire pulley system via the upper pulley line. Each of the two vertical hooks has a raised edge below its hook tip for laterally pushing and holding the corresponding armature hook. When the vertical hook moves upward, the raised edge pushes the armature hook on the same side to rotate around the corresponding pivot. The magnetic pole of the armature hook moves from the static magnetic gap position away from the electromagnet pole to the direction close to the electromagnet pole, and the raised edge keeps the magnetic pole of the armature hook in the dynamic magnetic gap position close to the electromagnet pole. At this time, the coil of the electromagnet is energized and attracts the armature hook to the closed magnetic circuit position.

[0009] Furthermore, the vertical hook includes a rod-shaped body. A side lug for engaging with a lifting knife is located at the middle of one side of the rod-shaped body. A hook tip is located at the top of the other side of the rod-shaped body, with the hook tip close to the edge of the other side of the rod-shaped body and the hook base close to the axis of the rod-shaped body. A convex edge is located at the upper edge of the other side of the rod-shaped body, extending above the hook tip. The contour curve of the convex edge is divided into a pushing section in the upper segment and a holding section in the lower segment. The pushing section is an inclined curve starting from the hook base of the hook tip, and the holding section is a straight line parallel to the direction of movement of the rod-shaped body. The pushing section and the holding section are smoothly connected. In the initial stage of the vertical hook's upward movement, the pushing section can generate an outward lateral pushing force on the armature hook in contact with it. In the middle and later stages of the vertical hook's upward movement, the holding section can apply a holding force to the armature hook that has already undergone lateral displacement.

[0010] Furthermore, the distance from the bottom of the retaining section to the bottom of the hook tip is greater than the distance from the hook tip to the bottom of the hook tip.

[0011] Furthermore, the length of the retaining section of the convex edge corresponds to the tolerance range of the jacquard machine knife lifting height allowed by its needle selection device. Within this tolerance range, the armature hook in contact with the convex edge remains in the dynamic magnetic gap position.

[0012] Furthermore, the dynamic magnetic gap is the distance between the magnetic pole surface of the armature hook and the magnetic pole surface of the electromagnet under the action of the convex edge, and the value range of the dynamic magnetic gap is 0 to 0.3 mm.

[0013] Furthermore, the middle and lower parts of the other side of the rod-shaped body are provided with a limiting protrusion along its edge for engaging with the vertical hook guide rails on both sides of the substrate and ensuring that the vertical hooks do not undergo lateral displacement, and the top end of the limiting protrusion is connected in a straight line parallel to the bottom end of the protrusion retaining section.

[0014] Furthermore, at least one damping groove is provided between the side ear and the rod-shaped body to block the vibration of the lifting knife.

[0015] Furthermore, the surface of the substrate is provided with a limiting protrusion to prevent the armature hook from moving excessively laterally outward under the action of the spring, and the limiting protrusion does not interfere with the movement of the vertical hook within the vertical hook guide rail.

[0016] The present invention also discloses a jacquard assembly, which is used in conjunction with the low-power, high-reliability needle selection device disclosed above.

[0017] The present invention also discloses a jacquard machine, which is equipped with the low-power, high-reliability needle selection device disclosed above, or with the jacquard assembly disclosed above.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0019] 1. The magnetic pole of the armature hook of this invention moves in three positions. The static magnetic gap position is the "hooked" state position, which is farthest from the electromagnet's magnetic pole. The dynamic magnetic gap position is very close to the electromagnet's magnetic pole. The movement of the armature hook from the static magnetic gap position to the dynamic magnetic gap position is achieved by the lateral displacement generated by the vertical hook protrusion. In the dynamic magnetic gap position, because the magnetic gap is small, the magnetic resistance is small, and the coil can generate a large electromagnetic force with a small energizing power, attracting the armature hook to the closed magnetic circuit position, i.e., the "disengaged" state position. The dynamic magnetic gap is set in the range of 0 to 0.3 mm. This range can compensate for the errors in parts processing and assembly, as well as the deformation errors that may occur during use. This is a tolerance margin.

[0020] 2. The full-length linear vertical hook guide rail and vertical hook protrusion design of the present invention constitute a new hook release technology, which can design larger hooks to reliably bear weight, so there is no need to worry about the difficulty of releasing large hooks. Sufficient design margin can ensure the reliability of operation under complex working conditions.

[0021] 3. The linear vertical hook guide rail on the substrate of this invention cooperates with the limiting protrusion on the vertical hook to ensure the accuracy of the lateral displacement of the protrusion on the armature hook when the vertical hook moves up and down, so that the aforementioned dynamic magnetic gap range of 0 to 0.3 mm can be realized.

[0022] 3. In this invention, the distance from the retaining section of the vertical hook protrusion to the bottom of the hook is greater than the distance from the hook tip to the bottom of the hook. This distance difference is also the distance from the hook tip of the armature hook to the hook tip of the vertical hook, thus leaving a hook release margin. This is also a tolerance margin, which can prevent malfunctions and improve reliability.

[0023] 4. The present invention uses a retaining section with a raised edge to enable the lifting knife to reach the vertical hook switching height (switching from hanging to unhooking) required by the needle selection device within a wide range, with a wide lifting knife height tolerance range (tolerance margin), which reduces the manufacturing difficulty of the jacquard machine main unit and improves the reliability of the whole machine operation.

[0024] 5. The vertical hook of the present invention has one or more shock-absorbing grooves between the side ear and the rod to prevent the vibration of lifting the knife from being transmitted to the hook tip through the side ear, thereby improving the reliability of the action.

[0025] 6. Because of the low power consumption of the coil, this invention not only saves energy, but also reduces the temperature rise of the coil. This reduces the mechanical deformation of the various parts of the needle selection device caused by the temperature rise, improves the tolerance margin to ambient temperature, and enhances the reliability of operation.

[0026] 7. The electromagnet coil of the present invention has low power consumption, which reduces the load on the drive circuit, increases the tolerance margin of the power supply voltage, and improves the reliability of the jacquard machine control system and power supply system.

[0027] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it according to the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific embodiments of the present invention are given in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of one embodiment of the needle selection device of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is an installation schematic diagram of another embodiment of the needle selection device of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 2Side view of the fit between the rod-shaped body and limiting protrusion of the vertical hook and the vertical hook guide rail;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a vertical hook embodiment in the needle selection device of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of another embodiment of the vertical hook in the needle selection device of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the substrate for Staubli's M4 / M5 modules. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The description herein is intended to provide a further understanding of the invention and forms part of this application. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention.

[0036] This invention, as an improvement upon existing technology, requires a brief explanation of the prior art. Taking the widely used Stäubli M4 / M5 components (such as...) as an example... Figure 6 For example (as shown):

[0037] 1. There is no fully linear guide rail for the vertical hook lifting; the upper part of the guide rail is intentionally bent. Figure 6 Point B in the middle indicates the guide groove of the M4 / M5 assembly that restricts the movement of the vertical hook. The upper part of the guide groove is curved, so that the vertical hook will tilt when it moves to this point, forming a disengaged posture.

[0038] 2. Instead of a fixed-height flange, a molded elastic component is used. If this elastic component is compressed for a long time during operation (such as when the blade is fully extended), it will cause plastic deformation and lose its elasticity and function. The Chinese utility model patent application "A metal vertical hook for a component of a textile electronic jacquard machine", patent number ZL200720029284.2, is an improvement on this molded elastic component.

[0039] 3. The lack of a retaining section with a raised edge results in poor "tool lifting tolerance" performance;

[0040] 4. There is no fixed "unhooking allowance". Due to the curved guide rail, the vertical hook is not vertical in the high position and is tilted. Furthermore, due to the presence of the elastic element, the distance between the tip of the vertical hook and the tip of the armature hook is uncertain.

[0041] 5. The design does not include a "dynamic magnetic gap". In fact, its working principle is to move directly from the static magnetic gap to the closed magnetic gap. The design of its curved guide rail and elastic element are intended to press the armature hook as close as possible to the electromagnet pole. However, in operation, factors such as vibration can cause uncertainty.

[0042] See Figure 1-3 As shown, this invention provides a low-power, high-reliability needle selection device, including a substrate 1. Vertical hook guide rails 10 with full linearity are provided on both sides of the substrate 1. A pulley group groove is provided in the middle of the substrate 1. An electromagnet 3 is mounted on the upper part of the substrate 1 via an electromagnet frame 2. An armature hook 4 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the electromagnet 3. The shaft holes of the two armature hooks 4 are rotatably connected to the substrate 1 via corresponding rotating shafts 5. The inner surfaces of the hook tips of the two armature hooks 4 are elastically connected to the left and right sides of the electromagnet frame 2 via corresponding springs 6. The straight rod of the armature hook 4, after engaging with the two magnetic poles of the electromagnet 3, forms a closed magnetic circuit. A vertical hook guide rail 10 is provided on each side of the substrate 1 for engaging with the corresponding armature hook 4. Hook 7, the pulley group groove of the substrate 1 is provided with a through wire pulley group, the two vertical hooks 7 are driven by the through wire pulley group to slide up and down through the upper pulley line; each of the two vertical hooks 7 has a convex edge 702 below the hook tip 701 for pushing and holding the corresponding armature hook 4 laterally. When the vertical hook 7 moves upward, the convex edge 702 pushes the armature hook 4 on the same side to rotate around the corresponding rotating shaft 5. The magnetic pole part of the armature hook 4 moves from the static magnetic gap 8 position away from the magnetic pole of the electromagnet 3 to the direction close to the magnetic pole of the electromagnet 3, and the convex edge 702 keeps the magnetic pole part of the armature hook 4 at the dynamic magnetic gap 9 position close to the magnetic pole of the electromagnet 3. At this time, after the coil of the electromagnet 3 is energized, the armature hook 4 is attracted to the closed magnetic circuit position.

[0043] See Figure 4-5As shown, the vertical hook 7 includes a rod-shaped body 703. A side ear 704 for attaching to a lifting knife is provided at the middle of one side of the rod-shaped body 703. During operation, the side ear 704 is directly attached to the blade of the lifting knife. The lifting knife pulls the vertical hook 7 through the side ear 704. A hook tip 701 is provided at the top of the other side of the rod-shaped body 703, with the hook tip close to the edge of the other side of the rod-shaped body 703 and the hook base close to the axis of the rod-shaped body 703. A protruding edge 702 is provided at the upper edge of the other side of the rod-shaped body 703, and the protruding edge 702 extends beyond the hook tip. The hook tip of 701 has a contour curve of convex edge 702 divided into an upper pushing section 702a and a lower holding section 702b. The pushing section 702a is an inclined curve starting from the bottom of the hook tip 701, and the holding section 702b is a straight line parallel to the moving direction of the rod-shaped body 703. The pushing section 702a and the holding section 702b are smoothly connected. In the initial stage of the upward movement of the vertical hook 7, the pushing section 702a can generate an outward lateral pushing force on the armature hook 4 in contact with it. In the middle and later stages of the upward movement of the vertical hook 7, the holding section 702b can apply a holding force to the armature hook 4 that has undergone lateral displacement.

[0044] The distance from the bottom of the retaining section 702b to the bottom of the hook tip 701 is greater than the distance from the hook tip to the bottom of the hook tip 701; this distance difference is also the distance between the hook tip of the armature hook 4 and the hook tip of the vertical hook 7 in the unhooked state, so it is defined as the unhooking allowance, which is a tolerance margin; see also Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 In the figure, A represents the unhooking allowance. Due to the existence of the unhooking allowance A, the hook tip of the armature hook 4 does not contact the hook tip of the vertical hook 7. Even if vibration or other situations occur, the hook tip of the vertical hook 7 will not catch the hook tip of the armature hook 4, thus avoiding the failure to unhook. The unhooking allowance ensures the reliability of the unhooking action under complex working conditions.

[0045] The length of the retaining section 702b of the convex edge 702 corresponds to the tolerance range of the jacquard machine knife lifting height allowed by its needle selection device. Within this tolerance range, the armature hook 4 in contact with the convex edge 702 remains in the position of the dynamic magnetic gap 9. The retaining section 702b is actually a straight section. During this section of the retaining section 702b, the armature hook 4 in contact with it will not have lateral displacement, but will remain in the position of the dynamic magnetic gap 9.

[0046] In the actual operation of a jacquard machine, errors exist in the position of the blade edges of multiple lifting knives due to transmission mechanisms and mechanical forces. The blades can be as long as 2 meters (even longer in high-needle-count jacquard machines), and deformation during operation can lead to positional errors at different points on the same blade. Different jacquard fabric patterns result in uneven force distribution at different points on the same blade, and even different forces on the sides of the blade and the ends of the blade can generate torsional torque, potentially causing permanent deformation. Therefore, the concept of "lifting knife tolerance" arises, referring to the range of blade height differences that the needle selection device can tolerate. Clearly, a needle selection device with a larger "lifting knife tolerance" is beneficial for the overall operation of the jacquard machine. This invention incorporates a retaining section with a raised edge, ensuring that the armature hook remains within a relatively small dynamic magnetic gap over a wide range. When the electromagnet coil is energized, the armature hook can be smoothly attracted to the closed magnetic circuit position, thus achieving the transition from "hooked" to "released" state of the vertical hook, thereby widening the "lifting knife tolerance." This is an important tolerance margin, which reduces the precision requirements of the needle selection device on the jacquard machine's knife lifting position and improves the reliability of the jacquard machine's overall operation switching.

[0047] The dynamic magnetic gap 9 is the distance between the magnetic pole surface of the armature hook 4 and the magnetic pole surface of the electromagnet 3 under the action of the convex edge 702. The value range of the dynamic magnetic gap is 0 to 0.3 mm.

[0048] On the other side of the rod-shaped body 703, a limiting protrusion 705 is provided along its edge at the middle and lower part for engaging with the vertical hook guide rails 10 on both sides of the substrate 1 and ensuring that the vertical hook 7 does not undergo lateral displacement. The top end of the limiting protrusion 705 is connected in a straight line parallel to the bottom end of the protrusion retaining section 702b. Since the vertical hook 7 is set in the vertical hook guide rail 10 of the substrate 1, the vertical hook 7 needs to have a rod-shaped body 703 to cooperate with it to ensure that the vertical hook 7 does not have lateral displacement when it moves up and down in the vertical hook guide rail 10. Since the dynamic magnetic gap 9 is generated by the protrusion 702 and has certain precision requirements, in order to ensure precision, it is necessary to ensure that the movement trajectory of the vertical hook 7 is stable and that there is no other lateral displacement while the vertical hook 7 moves up and down. Otherwise, the size of the dynamic magnetic gap cannot be controlled.

[0049] At least one damping groove 706 is provided between the side ear portion 704 and the rod-shaped body 703 to block the vibration of the lifting knife, so as to prevent the vibration of the lifting knife from being transmitted to the hook tip portion 701 through the side ear portion 704 and improve the reliability of the operation. The number of damping grooves 706 can be designed according to the requirements, for example, it can be designed as follows: Figure 4 The single-slot design shown can also be designed as follows: Figure 5 The dual-slot design is shown.

[0050] The surface of the substrate 1 is provided with a limiting protrusion to prevent the armature hook 4 from moving excessively laterally outward under the action of the spring 6, and the limiting protrusion does not interfere with the movement of the vertical hook 7 within the vertical hook guide rail 10.

[0051] Based on the above structure, the needle selection device of the present invention can be configured in the following two main embodiments:

[0052] Example 1

[0053] See Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the pivot 5 of the armature hook 4 is below the electromagnet 3. The vertical hook 7 actually presses against the armature hook 4; therefore, the armature hook 4 must be rigid. Typically, the armature hook 4 is made of soft iron, whose rigidity can meet the pressure of the vertical hook 7.

[0054] from Figure 1 As can be clearly seen, the right side of substrate 1 is in a "disengaged" state. The armature hook 4 on the right is pushed towards the right magnetic pole of electromagnet 3 by the protrusion 702 of the right vertical hook 7, which is the position of the dynamic magnetic gap 9, a very small magnetic gap. It is known that the electromagnetic force of an electromagnet is inversely proportional to the square of the distance. In the case of a small magnetic gap, the energization of the coil of electromagnet 3 will generate a relatively large electromagnetic force, attracting the armature hook 4 towards the right magnetic pole of electromagnet 3, i.e., the closed magnetic circuit position. At this time, the right spring 6 is compressed. As long as the attraction force of the energized coil of electromagnet 3 on the armature hook 4 is greater than the elastic force of the spring 6, when the right vertical hook 7 moves down, even without the action of the protrusion 702, the armature hook 4 will remain in this closed magnetic circuit position by electromagnetic force. When the right vertical hook 7 continues to move down until the tip of the hook 7 is opposite the tip of the armature hook 4, the existence of the disengagement margin A ensures that the right vertical hook 7 can smoothly descend below the right armature hook 4, reliably disengaging. This is actually a new decoupling technology that uses decoupling margin parameters in the design phase to ensure the reliability of operation under complex working conditions.

[0055] Limiting the dynamic magnetic gap 9 to a relatively small range, such as 0–0.3 mm, is crucial to this design and also represents a tolerance margin issue. With a small magnetic gap, the electromagnet coil can generate sufficient attraction with relatively low power consumption to overcome motion resistance, attract the armature hook to the magnetic pole, and maintain this state. Setting the dynamic magnetic gap 9 to 0.4 mm is not impossible, but simple calculations show that the electromagnet would need approximately 80% more electromagnetic force to ensure engagement, which is clearly disadvantageous for a low-power design. Setting the dynamic magnetic gap 9 to 0.2 mm would require even lower power consumption, but this value also has the function of offsetting machining errors, assembly errors, and deformation errors during operation. Setting it to 0.2 mm implies higher precision requirements for components, thus increasing costs.

[0056] The left side of substrate 1 is in a "hung" state. The left armature hook 4 is pushed away from the left magnetic pole of electromagnet 3 by the left spring 6, thus hooking the left vertical hook 7 and forming a considerable static magnetic gap 8. The lateral displacement of the left armature hook 4 is actually generated by the rotation around the left pivot 5. The vertical hook guide rail 10 of substrate 1 is a linear guide rail throughout its entire length, which engages with the limiting protrusion 705 on the vertical hook 7 to ensure that the vertical hook 7 has no lateral displacement when moving up and down.

[0057] Example 2

[0058] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the pivot 5 of the armature hook 4 is above the electromagnet 3. The vertical hook 7 is attached to the armature hook 4 by its hook tip; therefore, the armature hook 4 must be rigid. Typically, the armature hook 4 is made of soft iron, whose rigidity can meet the pressure of the vertical hook 7.

[0059] from Figure 2 As can be clearly seen, the right side of substrate 1 is in a "disengaged" state. The vertical hook 7 on the right pushes the armature hook 4 towards the right magnetic pole of electromagnet 3 through the protrusion 702, placing it in the position of dynamic magnetic gap 9. The spring 6 on the right is compressed. At this time, the coil of electromagnet 3 is energized, and the attraction force of electromagnet 3 is greater than the elastic force of spring 6 on the right. The armature hook 4 on the right will be pulled into the closed magnetic circuit position and held in this position. If the vertical hook 7 on the right moves downward at this time, it can be disengaged.

[0060] The left side of substrate 1 is in a "hanging" state. Under the action of the left spring 6, the left armature hook 4 moves away from the left magnetic pole of electromagnet 3, reaching the position of the static magnetic gap 8, where it forms a hanging state with the left vertical hook 7. It can be seen that the armature hook 4 in Embodiment 2 is different in shape from that in Embodiment 1, but the shape of the vertical hook 7 is the same. This design is very useful in high-density needle selectors that require two electromagnets to be stacked one above the other. In such cases, conventional technology can only use a combination of long vertical hooks (for the upper armature hook) and short vertical hooks (for the lower armature hook), and this structural difference in the length of the vertical hooks will cause differences in operation.

[0061] In the magnetic circuit design of an electromagnet, the shaft can also be positioned in the middle of the armature hook, with the hook tip and magnetic end opposite to each other on the shaft. In this case, the hook tip and magnetic end move in opposite directions.

[0062] Both of the above embodiments use a raised edge on the vertical hook, which is below the tip of the vertical hook. However, the raised edge can also be placed on the armature hook, which is above the tip of the armature hook. When the vertical hook moves upward, it causes a lateral displacement of the armature hook, allowing it to reach the dynamic magnetic gap position and creating a disengagement allowance.

[0063] The magnetic pole of the armature hook of this invention can move between three positions: the larger stroke is from the static magnetic gap to the dynamic magnetic gap, achieved by the lateral displacement of the armature hook pushed by the vertical hook protrusion as the vertical hook moves upward (using external force to achieve a larger stroke displacement); the smaller stroke is from the dynamic magnetic gap to the closed magnetic circuit position, achieved by the electromagnetic force after the electromagnet is energized (using internal force to achieve a smaller stroke displacement). This technical solution can be used in various electromagnetic needle selector solutions and achieves advantageous results, and therefore should be protected by this invention.

[0064] Based on this, the present invention can also be used to manufacture a jacquard assembly that works in conjunction with the low-power, high-reliability needle selection device disclosed above.

[0065] Furthermore, the present invention can also be used to manufacture a jacquard machine equipped with the low-power, high-reliability needle selection device disclosed above, or equipped with the jacquard components disclosed above.

[0066] In fact, this invention proposes a new working mode, namely semi-active.

[0067] Currently, there are two working modes in needle selector design: the "active" working mode represented by the Bonas needle selector and the "passive" working mode represented by the Staubli needle selector. The active mode involves the electromagnetic force generated by energizing the electromagnet actively attracting the armature hook to the closed magnetic circuit position. Its advantages are simple mechanism and clear action. Its disadvantages are the need for a large electromagnet, high power consumption, large size, and shallow hook depth (so shallow that it may fail due to wear). The passive mode involves the armature hook being pushed to the closed magnetic circuit position of the electromagnet pole by an external mechanism. The electromagnetic force generated by energizing the electromagnet keeps the armature hook in this position. Its advantages are the need for a small electromagnet force, small size, low power consumption, and large hook depth. Its disadvantages are complex mechanism, high manufacturing cost, the requirement to use a flexible vertical hook, and decreased reliability under complex working conditions.

[0068] In these two typical operating modes, the armature hook moves in two positions: the static magnetic gap position and the closed magnetic circuit position. This invention proposes a third position: the dynamic magnetic gap position. The movement of the armature hook from the static magnetic gap position to the dynamic magnetic gap position is "passive," determined by an external mechanism. However, the movement of the armature hook from the static magnetic gap position to the closed magnetic circuit position is "active" by the electromagnet. Therefore, this operating mode is called "semi-active." This is the core technical contribution of this invention, overcoming the technical defects of the aforementioned existing solutions and achieving better technical results.

[0069] In fact, this invention proposes a novel hook release technology, which involves setting and maintaining a raised edge above the hook tip to create a release margin and a lifting tolerance, ensuring reliable operation under complex working conditions. Larger hooks can be designed to reliably enter the hanging state and bear greater loads without worrying about difficulties in releasing them; the ample design margin guarantees smooth release under complex working conditions.

[0070] In fact, by comprehensively applying the technology of this invention, the design of the needle selection device for jacquard machines has greater freedom. There are two options: one with the tip of the armature hook above the electromagnet and the other with the tip of the armature hook below the electromagnet. Moreover, both options can share the same vertical hook, which is very beneficial in the further design of high-density needle selectors.

[0071] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low-power, high-reliability needle selection device, characterized in that: The system includes a substrate (1), with vertical hook guide rails (10) arranged on both sides of the substrate (1) and a pulley groove in the middle of the substrate (1). An electromagnet (3) is arranged on the upper part of the substrate (1) through an electromagnet frame (2). An armature hook (4) is arranged on the left and right sides of the electromagnet (3). The shaft holes of the two armature hooks (4) are rotatably connected to the substrate (1) through corresponding rotating shafts (5). The inner sides of the hook tips of the two armature hooks (4) are elastically connected to the left and right sides of the electromagnet frame (2) through corresponding springs (6). The straight rod of the armature hook (4) forms a closed magnetic circuit after cooperating with the two magnetic poles of the electromagnet (3). A vertical hook (7) is arranged in the vertical hook guide rails (10) on both sides of the substrate (1) for cooperating with the corresponding armature hook (4). The pulley system is equipped with a through-wire pulley system in the pulley groove. The two vertical hooks (7) are driven by the through-wire pulley system to slide up and down through the upper pulley line. The hook tip (701) of each of the two vertical hooks (7) is provided with a convex edge (702) for pushing and holding the corresponding armature hook (4) laterally. When the vertical hook (7) moves upward, the convex edge (702) pushes the armature hook (4) on the same side to rotate around the corresponding pivot (5). The magnetic pole of the armature hook (4) moves from the static magnetic gap (8) position away from the magnetic pole of the electromagnet (3) to the direction close to the magnetic pole of the electromagnet (3). The convex edge (702) keeps the magnetic pole of the armature hook (4) at the dynamic magnetic gap (9) position close to the magnetic pole of the electromagnet (3). At this time, the coil of the electromagnet (3) is energized and attracts the armature hook (4) to the closed magnetic circuit position.

2. The low-power, high-reliability needle selection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical hook (7) includes a rod-shaped body (703). A side ear (704) for attaching to a knife is provided at the middle of one side of the rod-shaped body (703). A hook tip (701) is provided at the top of the other side of the rod-shaped body (703), with the hook tip (701) close to the edge of the other side of the rod-shaped body (703). The hook bottom of the hook tip (701) is close to the axis of the rod-shaped body (703). A convex edge (702) is provided at the upper edge of the other side of the rod-shaped body (703), and the convex edge (702) extends beyond the hook tip (701). The contour curve of the convex edge (702) is divided into sections. The upper section is a pushing section (702a) and the lower section is a holding section (702b). The pushing section (702a) is an inclined curve starting from the bottom of the hook tip (701). The holding section (702b) is a straight line parallel to the moving direction of the rod-shaped body (703). The pushing section (702a) and the holding section (702b) are smoothly connected. In the early stage of the upward movement of the vertical hook (7), the pushing section (702a) can generate an outward lateral pushing force on the armature hook (4) in contact with it. In the middle and late stages of the upward movement of the vertical hook (7), the holding section (702b) can apply a holding force to the armature hook (4) that has generated lateral displacement.

3. The low-power, high-reliability needle selection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distance from the bottom of the retaining section (702b) to the bottom of the hook tip (701) is greater than the distance from the hook tip (701) to the bottom of the hook tip (701).

4. The low-power, high-reliability needle selection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length of the retaining section (702b) of the convex edge (702) corresponds to the tolerance range of the jacquard machine lifting height allowed by the needle selection device to which it belongs. Within this tolerance range, the armature hook (4) that contacts the convex edge (702) remains in the dynamic magnetic gap (9) position.

5. The low-power, high-reliability needle selection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The dynamic magnetic gap (9) is the distance between the magnetic pole surface of the armature hook (4) and the magnetic pole surface of the electromagnet (3) under the action of the convex edge (702). The value range of the dynamic magnetic gap is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

6. The low-power, high-reliability needle selection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: On the other side of the rod-shaped body (703), a limiting protrusion (705) is provided along its edge at the middle and lower part for engaging with the vertical hook guide rails (10) on both sides of the substrate (1) and ensuring that the vertical hook (7) does not undergo lateral displacement. The top end of the limiting protrusion (705) is connected in a straight line parallel to the bottom end of the protrusion retaining section (702b).

7. The low-power, high-reliability needle selection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least one damping groove (706) is provided between the side ear portion (704) and the rod-shaped body (703) to block the vibration of the knife lifting.

8. The low-power, high-reliability needle selection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The surface of the substrate (1) is provided with a limiting protrusion to prevent the armature hook (4) from moving excessively laterally outward under the action of the spring (6), and the limiting protrusion does not interfere with the movement of the vertical hook (7) within the vertical hook guide rail (10).

9. A jacquard component, characterized in that: The jacquard assembly is used in conjunction with the low-power, high-reliability needle selection device as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A jacquard machine, characterized in that: The jacquard machine is equipped with a low-power, high-reliability needle selection device as described in any one of claims 1-8, or with the jacquard assembly as described in claim 9.

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