Electronic jacquard opening mechanism

Abstract

This invention discloses an electronic jacquard opening mechanism comprising a connector element and a complementary connector element. The complementary connector element is fixed to one surface of a main electronic board and has complementary electrical contacts connected to a main controller. Wires electrically connect the electrical contacts of the connector element to a secondary controller. In the connection configuration, the electromagnet control unit of the main electronic board is electrically connected to the secondary controller via electrical contacts, complementary electrical contacts, and wires. The connector element has a one-piece polymer body that houses the electrical contacts and forms at least two guide surfaces facing opposite directions. In the connection configuration, the at least two guide surfaces are configured to contact two opposite surfaces of the main electronic board, respectively, and the one-piece polymer body faces the edge of the main electronic board. Therefore, this invention reduces potential electrical connection failures, especially after multiple connection and disconnection cycles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an electronic jacquard opening mechanism, and more particularly to an electrical connector for the electronic jacquard opening mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] As known from CN106939461B, a control system is provided for an electronic jacquard shedding mechanism. This control system has electromechanical selection devices and a three-level controller for communication with the loom. The system also includes at least two sub-controllers, each electrically connected to a main controller, and each sub-controller is capable of controlling a set of electromechanical selection devices. The system also includes at least one main controller, which is directly electrically connected to one of the sub-controllers on one hand and directly electrically connected to at least two electromagnet control units of the electromechanical selection devices on the other. Multiple main boards carrying the electromagnet control units are connected in series to each sub-controller. The main boards are connected to the sub-boards via a series connection consisting of flexible wires and electrical connectors, which must be removably connected to the main boards for maintenance operations of the jacquard mechanism.

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to improve the robustness of known electrical connectors to reduce potential failures in electrical connections, especially after multiple connection and disconnection cycles. Utility Model Content

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic jacquard shelving mechanism for forming a shed through warp yarns includes electromagnetic selection devices, each having an electromagnet selectively energized to control the position of the warp yarns. The electronic jacquard shelving mechanism further includes at least one main electronic board extending along a main plane in the longitudinal direction of the electronic jacquard shelving mechanism. The at least one main electronic board includes a plurality of electromagnet control units, each electromagnet control unit electrically connected to at least one electromagnet of the electromagnetic selection devices. The at least one main electronic board also includes a main controller electrically connected to at least two electromagnet control units of the at least one main electronic board. The electronic jacquard shelving mechanism further includes at least one secondary electronic board, separate from the at least one main electronic board and including the secondary controller. The electronic jacquard shelving mechanism also includes a connector comprising a connector element with electrical contacts and a complementary connector element with complementary electrical contacts, the connector element being configured to be removably connected to the complementary connector element in a direction parallel to the main plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The complementary connector element is fixed to one surface of the main electronic board, and the complementary electrical contacts are electrically connected to the main controller. The electronic jacquard opening mechanism also includes a wire that electrically connects the electrical contacts of the connector element to the sub-controller. In the connector connection configuration, the electrical contacts of the connector element are in electrical contact with the complementary electrical contacts of the complementary connector element, and the electromagnet control unit of the at least one main electronic board is electrically connected to the sub-controller via the electrical contacts, the complementary electrical contacts, and the wire. The connector element has a one-piece polymer body that houses the electrical contacts and forms at least two guide surfaces perpendicular to the main plane and facing opposite directions. In the connector connection configuration, the at least two guide surfaces are configured to contact two opposing surfaces of the main electronic board parallel to the main plane, and the one-piece polymer body faces the edge of the at least one main electronic board.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, in the disconnected configuration, the distance between the two guide surfaces perpendicular to the main plane is less than the depth dimension of the main electronic board perpendicular to the main plane. In the connected configuration, the main electronic board is held between the two guide surfaces.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, the two guide surfaces are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the main plane and formed on the guide portion of the one-piece polymer body, located at the end of the connector element along the longitudinal direction.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, the one-piece polymer body includes a guide portion at each end of the connector element along the longitudinal direction.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, the length between the two guide portions along the longitudinal direction is greater than the length of the complementary connector element along the longitudinal direction.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the guide portion is U-shaped and has a beveled inner end surface.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, on the connector element, the electrical contacts are disposed in the pins of the one-piece polymer body. In the connection configuration, the pins engage in a socket of the complementary connector element that receives the complementary electrical contacts, and each guide surface extends at least partially beyond the outer end of the pin.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the complementary connector element is located at a certain distance from the edge of the at least one main electronic board.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the secondary controller is electrically connected to an electromagnet control unit supported by a plurality of main electronic boards.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a single connector is electrically inserted between each main electronic board and the sub-controller. Attached Figure Description

[0014] This utility model will combine Figures 1 to 7 A detailed description is provided. However, this embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. In the accompanying drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 An isometric view of the electronic jacquard opening mechanism according to the present invention is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 View of detail II.

[0017] Figure 3 This illustrates the connector and main electronic board of the electronic jacquard opening mechanism according to the present invention. Figure 1 Detailed view.

[0018] Figure 4 This is an exploded view showing the connector equipped with the electronic jacquard opening mechanism according to the present invention in a disconnected configuration.

[0019] Figure 5This is another exploded view showing the connector equipped with the electronic jacquard opening mechanism according to the present invention in a disconnected configuration.

[0020] Figure 6 This is another exploded view showing the connector equipped with the electronic jacquard opening mechanism according to the present invention in a disconnected configuration.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of midplane VII. Detailed Implementation

[0022] This utility model relates to an electronic jacquard opening mechanism 1.

[0023] The electronic jacquard shedding mechanism 1 controls the position of the warp yarns on the loom (not shown) to follow the shedding pattern corresponding to the fabric to be woven. As explained in CN114645382A, the position of the warp yarns is controlled by an electromagnetic selection device 2 (sometimes called a jacquard module). The electromagnetic selection device 2 includes an electromagnet 3, which can be individually supplied with current according to the shedding pattern.

[0024] The electronic jacquard opening mechanism 1 extends along the longitudinal direction L, which corresponds to the maximum dimension of the electronic jacquard opening mechanism 1.

[0025] Each electromagnet 3 of the electromagnetic selection device 2 is powered by an electromagnet control unit 4, as disclosed in CN106939481B. Advantageously, the electromagnet control unit 4 includes an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Several electromagnet control units 4 of the electromagnetic selection devices 2 are disposed on the same main electronic board 5. The main electronic board 5 also carries conductive traces (not shown) that electrically connect a main controller 6 to the electromagnet control units 4. The main controller 6 is also mounted on the same main electronic board 5 as the associated electromagnet control units 4. The number of electromagnet control units 4 on the main electronic board 5 varies between two and sixteen, and they are connected in parallel to the main controller 6. The main controller 6 includes a computer (e.g., a microprocessor) and memory (e.g., RAM or FLASH type).

[0026] The main controller 6 is electrically inserted between a set of electromagnet control units 4 supported by the main electronic board 5 and the secondary controller 7. More specifically, the main controller 6 is directly electrically connected to the secondary controller 7 via connector 8 and wire 9. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Several connectors 8 are shown, while only one cable 10 including wires 9 is shown between one connector 8 on the main electronic board 5 and the sub-controller 7.

[0027] In practice, one to thirty-two master controllers 6 can be connected in parallel on the same slave controller 7, with each master controller using a bundle of wires 9 and a connector 8.

[0028] The secondary controller 7 is supported by the secondary electronic board 11 and includes a computer (such as a microprocessor) and RAM-type memory.

[0029] The electronic jacquard opening mechanism 1 includes another sub-controller, not shown in the figure. The number of these sub-controllers 7 present in each electronic jacquard opening mechanism 1 can be greater than two, for example, between three and twelve.

[0030] All the secondary controllers 7 are identical. Each secondary controller 7 is powered by a corresponding dedicated power supply at 16 volts. Bundles of wires 9 and associated connectors 8 electrically connect the secondary controllers 7 of the second electronic board 11 to several main controllers 6 of different main electronic boards 5 (not shown), which in turn are electrically connected to other shared electronic units (not shown) that power the same electromagnets that are powered and controlled by the secondary controllers 7.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the auxiliary electronic board 11 can be fixedly mounted on the frame 13 of the electronic jacquard sheathing mechanism 1, and is electrically connected to a three-level controller (not shown) via a cable. The three-level controller has at least one memory for storing fabric pattern data and at least one computer (such as a microprocessor). The three-level controller is configured to communicate with the loom. The main electronic board 5, carrying the main controller 6 and the electromagnet control unit 4, is also fixed on the frame 13. The main electronic board 5 is arranged vertically and extends along a main plane P5, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction L and the vertical direction V. The depth direction D is defined as perpendicular to the main plane P5. The main electronic boards 5 associated with the same auxiliary controller 7 are parallel to each other and adjacent to each other along the depth direction D. Each main electronic board 5 includes a device for connecting to an electromagnetic selection device 2, the number of which corresponds to the number of electromagnet control units 4 on the main electronic board 5.

[0032] Each connector 8 includes a connector element 81 and a complementary connector element 82 that can be removably connected to each other. For example, connector element 81 and complementary connector element 82 may be disconnected for maintenance purposes. Connector element 81 is disposed at one end of cable 10 and includes electrical contacts that are directly electrically connected to the conductors 9 of cable 10. Complementary connector element 82 is fixed to a surface 51 of the main electronic board 5, which is parallel to the main plane P5. Complementary connector element 82 includes electrical contacts that are electrically connected to the main controller 6 via conductive traces (not shown) on the main electronic board 5. When connector element 81 and complementary connector element 82 are connected to each other, each conductor 9 of cable 10 is electrically connected to the main controller 6 of the main electronic board 5 carrying the complementary connector element 82, thereby being electrically connected to the electromagnet control unit 4 of the main electronic board 5.

[0033] Each main electronic board 5 is associated with a single connector 8.

[0034] Figure 2 Several main electronic boards 5 are shown, each equipped with a single connector 8. One connector 8 is shown in a disconnected configuration, while the others are shown in a connected configuration. For clarity, Figure 2 The middle section shows some cables 10 attached to connector 8.

[0035] Therefore, the electrical signal used to control the electromagnet 3 of the electromagnetic selection device 2 can be transmitted from the three-stage controller to the auxiliary controller 7, then to the main controller 6, and finally to the electromagnet control unit 4. Furthermore, the main controller can communicate with the loom.

[0036] Connector element 81 includes a one-piece polymer body 810 (preferably molded) forming six pins 811 on which electrical contacts of connector element 81 are disposed. The electrical contacts of connector element 81 are electrically connected to wires 9, and each of the six pins 811 receives a different wire 9 of cable 10, such as... Figure 4 As shown by the dashed line, the one-piece polymer body 810 also includes two guide portions 812, each guide portion 812 located at one end of the connector element 81 along the longitudinal direction L. The length L812 between the two guide portions 812 along the longitudinal direction L is greater than the length L82 of the complementary connector element 82 along the longitudinal direction L. Each guide portion 812 has a U-shaped structure and defines an open receiving space V812. The receiving space V812 is complementary to the cross-section of the main electronic board 5 taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Each receiving space V812 is defined by two opposing guide surfaces 814 of the one-piece polymer body 810 aligned along the depth direction D and two obliquely cut inner end surfaces 815 aligned along the depth direction D and diverging in the vertical direction V from the bottom surface 816 of the receiving space V812.

[0037] The complementary connector element 82 includes a one-piece polymer body 820 forming six sockets 821 complementary to the pins 811. These sockets accommodate complementary electrical contacts electrically connected to the main controller 6. The sockets 821 and pins 811 together form a Molex connection. They extend in a vertical direction V. Each socket 821 is electrically connected to the main controller 6 via a conductive spring 822 extending out of the body 820 and making electrical contact with a conductive trace (not shown) of the main electronics board 5. Each socket 821 is configured to accommodate the pins 811 so that electrical contacts on the connector element 81 side make electrical contact with electrical contacts on the complementary connector element 82 side. When the pins 811 are fully accommodated in the associated socket 821 in the vertical direction V, the associated conductor 9 of the cable 10 is electrically connected to the conductive spring 822, thereby connecting to a conductive trace of the main electronics board 5, and thus to the main controller 6.

[0038] To connect connector element 81 and complementary connector element 82 together, they are aligned and moved closer to each other along the vertical direction V. Guide portion 812 first mates with main electronic board 5 to guide connector element 81 relative to main electronic board 5 along the depth direction D. Specifically, the edge 53 of main electronic board 5 is introduced into the two receiving spaces V812 of connector element 81. The beveled inner end surface 815 of guide portion 812 facilitates the introduction of main electronic board 5 into the two receiving spaces V812. The introduction of main electronic board 5 into receiving spaces V812 occurs before pin 811 is introduced into socket 821, because socket 821 and complementary connector element 82 are located at a distance D82 from the edge 53 of main electronic board 5, measured along the vertical direction V, and because guide portion 812 (partially guide surface 814) extends at least partially beyond the outer end of pin 811 along the vertical direction V, the outer end facing the same direction as the bottom surface 816 of receiving space V812.

[0039] Since the accommodating space V812 is complementary to the main electronic board 5, the main electronic board 5 mates with the guide portion 812 along the depth direction D with a reduced gap. When the connector element 81 is aligned with the complementary connector element 82 but in a disconnected configuration, a distance D814 is measured along the depth direction between two opposing guide surfaces 814 of one guide portion 812 of the monolithic polymer body 810. In particular, the distance D814 is strictly smaller than the depth dimension D5 of the main electronic board 5 along the depth direction D, such that during the connection of the connector element 81 and the complementary connector element 82, each guide portion 812 undergoes elastic deformation when the guide surface 814 mates with the main electronic board 5.

[0040] During connection, connector element 81 moves further closer to complementary connector element 82, and pin 811 is precisely inserted into socket 821 because guide portion 812 has already engaged with main electronic board 5. Pin 811 is fully accommodated in socket 821 when abutting surface 817 of connector element 81 contacts abutting surface 827 of connector element 82 along the vertical direction V. Bottom surface 816 does not abut against edge 53, but faces edge 53 along the vertical direction V.

[0041] In the connection configuration of connector 8, due to the elastic deformation of the guide portion 812, the main electronic board 5 is clamped by the two guide surfaces 814 of each guide portion 812, and the connector element 81 is securely mounted on the complementary connector element 82. Specifically, the two guide surfaces 814 of each guide portion 812 contact two opposing surfaces 51, 52 of the main electronic board 5, respectively. The connector element 81 faces the edge 53 of the main electronic board 5. In other words, the connector element 81 partially surrounds the edge 53.

[0042] Connector element 81 also includes a tab 818, which the operator uses to grip connector element 81 and retract connector element 81 from complementary connector element 82 in a direction opposite to the introduction direction along the vertical direction V to achieve a disconnect configuration.

[0043] During disconnection, when the guide surface 814 detaches from the main electronic board 5, the guide portion 812 elastically deforms and the distance D814 returns to a size smaller than the depth dimension D5.

[0044] This invention applies to all electronic jacquard opening mechanisms for flat fabrics, industrial fabrics, or carpet fabrics.

[0045] Due to each guide portion 812 of connector 8, connector element 81 is smoothly mechanically and electrically connected to complementary connector element 82, and during operation of the electronic jacquard opening mechanism 1, connector elements 81 and 82 are firmly mechanically connected to the main electronic board 5 without tilting. Such tilting would cause a failure in the electrical connection between the electromagnet control unit 4 and the sub-controller 7, and thus lead to defects in the fabric woven with the electronic jacquard opening mechanism 1. Furthermore, even after multiple connections and disconnections, the mechanical guidance of connector element 81 to the main electronic board 5 ensures precise positioning of the electrical connection and complementary electrical connection.

Claims

1. An electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) for forming a shed by means of a warp thread, characterized in that, The electronic jacquard opening mechanism (1) includes: Electromagnetic selection device (2), each of the electromagnetic selection devices having an electromagnet (3) that is selectively energized to control the position of the warp yarn; At least one main electronic board (5) extends along the main plane (P5) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the electronic jacquard opening mechanism (1) and includes a plurality of electromagnet control units (4), each of the electromagnet control units (4) being electrically connected to at least one electromagnet (3) of the electromagnetic selection device (2), and the at least one main electronic board (5) also includes a main controller (6), the main controller (6) being electrically connected to at least two of the electromagnet control units (4) of the at least one main electronic board (5); At least one secondary electronic board (11), the at least one secondary electronic board (11) being separate from the at least one primary electronic board (5) and including a secondary controller (7); A connector (8) comprising a connector element (81) with electrical contacts and a complementary connector element (82) with complementary electrical contacts, the connector element (81) being configured to be removably connected to the complementary connector element (82) in a direction parallel to the main plane (P5) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), the complementary connector element (82) being fixed on one side (51) of the main electronic board (5), and the complementary electrical contacts being electrically connected to the main controller (6); A wire (9) electrically connects the electrical contacts of the connector element (81) to the sub-controller (7); In the connection configuration of the connector (8), the electrical contact of the connector element (81) is in electrical contact with the complementary electrical contact of the complementary connector element (82), and the electromagnet control unit (4) of the at least one main electronic board (5) is electrically connected to the sub-controller (7) through the electrical contact, the complementary electrical contact and the wire (9); The connector element (81) has a one-piece polymer body (810) that houses the electrical contacts and forms at least two guide surfaces (814) that are perpendicular to the main plane (P5) and face opposite directions. In the connection configuration of the connector (8), the at least two guide surfaces (814) are configured to contact two opposing surfaces (51, 52) of the main electronic board (5) that are parallel to the main plane (P5), and the one-piece polymer body (810) faces the edge (53) of the at least one main electronic board (5).

2. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that In the disconnected configuration, the distance (D814) ​​between the two guide surfaces (814) perpendicular to the main plane (P5) is less than the depth dimension (D5) of the main electronic board (5) perpendicular to the main plane (P5), and in the connected configuration, the main electronic board (5) is clamped by the two guide surfaces (814).

3. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The two guide surfaces (814) are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the main plane (P5) and formed on the guide portion (812) of the one-piece polymer body (810), located at the end of the connector element (81) along the longitudinal direction (L).

4. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The one-piece polymer body (810) includes a guide portion (812) at each end of the connector element (81) along the longitudinal direction (L).

5. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The length (L812) between the two guide portions (812) along the longitudinal direction (L) is greater than the length (L82) of the complementary connector element (82) along the longitudinal direction (L).

6. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The guide portion (812) is U-shaped and has a beveled inner end surface (815).

7. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that On the connector element (81), the electrical contacts are disposed in the pins (811) of the monolithic polymer body (810), wherein, in the connection configuration, the pins (811) engage in the sockets (821) of the complementary connector element (82) that receive the complementary electrical contacts, and wherein each guide surface (814) extends at least partially beyond the outer end of the pin (811).

8. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The complementary connector element (82) is located at a distance from the edge (53) of the at least one main electronic board (5).

9. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The sub-controller (7) is electrically connected to the electromagnet control unit (4) supported by several main electronic boards (5).

10. The electronic pattern opening mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A single connector (8) is electrically inserted between each main electronic board (5) and the sub-controller (7).

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