Pulley for installation in a pulley mechanism of a jacquard machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compact pulley (1) for installation in a pulley mechanism of a Jacquard machine, and a corresponding method for producing such pulley (1), the pulley (1) comprising a shaft (3), a pulley wheel (5), which is arranged rotatable around the shaft (3) and a housing (4), which is at least partially made of plastic, which is fixed to the shaft (3), which at least partially flanks the pulley wheel (5) and which comprises a metal fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11'), which is fixed to the shaft (3) via an interference-fit, in order to fix the housing (4) to the shaft (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pulley for installation in a pulley mechanism of a Jacquard machine, comprising: a shaft; a pulley wheel, which is arranged rotatable around the shaft; and a housing, which is at least partially made of plastic, which is fixed to the shaft and at least partially flanks the pulley wheel.

[0002] This invention also relates to a pulley mechanism for a Jacquard machine, which pulley mechanism comprises a pulley according to this invention.

[0003] In addition, this invention also relates to a Jacquard machine which comprises a pulley mechanism according to this invention.

[0004] Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for producing a pulley for installation in a pulley mechanism of a Jacquard machine.

[0005] As described, for example, in WO 2014 / 076558 A2, Jacquard machines are used to bring the warp threads in a weaving machine into the correct position per weaving cycle in order to realize, in combination with the weft threads, a desired weave structure having a desired pattern.

[0006] The warp threads are brought into the desired position with the aid of pulley mechanisms. In a pulley mechanism of this type, a first type of pulley is provided with an upper and a lower pulley wheel. Examples of such pulleys are known, for example, from CH 380 046 A, CN 203 229 633 U, EP 0 526 820 A1, CH 367 452 A and EP 3 247 828 B1. A second type of pulley in such pulley mechanism, only comprises one pulley wheel, which constitutes a reversing roller. Furthermore, pulley mechanisms can also comprise pulleys with more than 2, such as 3 pulley wheels. The examples given in this patent application relate specifically to pulleys with two pulley wheels, but may be applied mutatis mutandis to single-wheel pulleys or pulleys with more than 2 wheels.

[0007] Pulley mechanisms as described in WO 2014 / 076558 A2 are used, for example, in Jacquard machines for moving the warp threads of single-piece, flat looms. In this case, an upper pulley cord is passed around an upper pulley wheel. This cord is provided with two corresponding hooks (complementary set of hooks), which can selectively move in tandem, for example in counterphase, with two corresponding knives, wherein the motion of the corresponding hooks is translated via the upper pulley cord into a rotation of the upper pulley wheel. By influencing of the hooks with the aid of one or more associated selectors, for example electromagnetic selectors, the hooks are secured in their uppermost or in their lowermost position (depending on the design) for the duration of one or more weaving cycles. Around a lower pulley wheel a lower pulley cord is passed, which is connected at one end to one or more heddles, which are provided with an opening (heddle eye), through which a warp thread runs, for adjustment of the position of this warp thread. Such a heddle is spring-loaded, whilst the other end of the lower pulley cord is held at a well-defined position in the Jacquard machine.

[0008] A similar pulley mechanism is used in multi-rapier weaving machines, which are provided to be able to introduce more than one weft per weaving cycle at different weft insertion levels. The associated pulley mechanism can then comprise a plurality of pulleys with 2 or more wheels and / or extra reversing wheels.

[0009] In view of the increasing trend to weave fabrics of higher densities and / or to provide more colours in a fabric, higher and higher requirements are being imposed on Jacquard machines regarding the number of pulley mechanisms which, for a same volume, can be accommodated in a Jacquard machine. All solutions for making a Jacquard machine more compact are consequently of particularly great importance. In order to be able to achieve this, the pulleys are preferably designed as light and as cheap as possible, whilst they have to be able to take up as much load as possible per unit of volume.

[0010] Various pulleys have already been developed with this object in mind.

[0011] In a first known compact pulley, the pulley wheels are formed by moulding a plastics wheel disc around a central upright flange of a metal shaft. This upright flange, which is provided on the centre of the metal shaft, forms in this way the core of the pulley wheel. Two flank bodies, which form a housing for this pulley, are provided with recesses in which the ends of the shaft are rotatably fitted, so that the shaft, with the pulley wheel fastened centrally hereto, is arranged rotatably with respect to these flank bodies. For this purpose, the flank bodies must however be designed sufficiently rigid.

[0012] In a second, yet more compact known pulley the metal shafts are clamped in recesses of the flank bodies, wherein plastic pulley wheels are fitted rotatably around these shafts. By virtue of the clamping, the flank bodies are in this way also axially secured by the shafts. At the ends of these shafts, the flank bodies cannot be displaced outwardly or inwardly in the pulley, since the clamping with the shafts prevents this. As a result of this axial securement, these flank bodies can themselves be designed less rigid, and thus more compact and / or lighter and / or cheaper, or this pulley can have a longer working life for a same compactness.

[0013] In EP 3 247 828 B1a compact pulley is described with flank bodies axially secured in at least one cavity of the shaft. Such a pulley is not so easily manufactured in practice.

[0014] The object of this invention is to address at least some of the above disadvantages and to provide an improved compact pulley with a good working life.

[0015] This object of the invention is achieved by providing a pulley for installation in a pulley mechanism of a Jacquard machine, comprising: a shaft; a pulley wheel, which is arranged rotatable around the shaft; and a housing, which is partially made of plastic, which is fixed to the shaft and at least partially flanks the pulley wheel and which comprises a metal fixing plate, which is fixed to the shaft via an interference-fit, in order to fix the housing to the shaft.

[0016] By making the housing partially of plastic and applying therein such metal fixing plate for fixing the housing to the shaft via an interference-fit, the total width of a pulley can be reduced without greatly reducing the wheel bearing width, this with a reliable retention of the shaft.

[0017] With respect to solutions as presented in EP 3 247 828 B1, there is negligible creep of the metal material of the fixing plate. Therefore, there is hardly any loss of retention force due to time, temperature and / or environment.

[0018] A said metal fixing plate also provides a metal thrust surface for wheel bearing guidance.

[0019] Such a pulley can be produced at a lower cost, whilst maintaining pulley reliability.

[0020] The fixing plate preferably comprises a hollow elongate cylindrical portion provided for the interference-fit.

[0021] In order to at least partially make the housing of plastic, the housing preferably comprises a plastic part to which the fixing plate is fixed with at least one edge.

[0022] In a preferential embodiment, the fixing plate is caught with the at least one edge in a slot in the plastic part in order to fix this fixing plate to the plastic part. The fixing plate is preferably fitted along several sides in the plastic part, even more preferential several opposite sides and still more preferential the fixing plate is fixed over its entire circumference in the plastic part.

[0023] More specifically, the fixing plate can be fixed to the plastic part via overmoulding. This allows for a cheaper choice of material for said plastic part.

[0024] By making the housing partly out of plastic, it can easily be made light-weight, with relatively complex shapes to combine various functions of such a housing. The plastic part can more specifically have a guiding function in the pulley, e.g. for guiding a cord and / or guiding the pulley in a track in the Jacquard machine and / or guiding the pulley wheel. The plastic part is then a guiding part of the pulley.

[0025] The fixing plate preferably extends partially at the outer perimeter of the pulley for heat dissipation. The pulley then has an improved thermal performance of the bearing due to the fixing plate constituting a metal path for heat to escape to external surfaces of the pulley. The pulley therefore has a longer bearing life, melting of the plastic of the housing is avoided and possible lubricants will degrade more slowly.

[0026] To simplify production of a pulley according to the invention, the shaft is preferably a full shaft. The fixing plate is preferably provided with a central cavity, which may e.g. be provided in the form of a bore, into which the shaft can be pressed to make the interference-fit. This central cavity can have a round shape, or the shape of a polygon, such as e.g. an octagon.

[0027] Alternatively, e.g. a hollow shaft could be provided, to which the metal fixing plate can similarly be fixed externally or can e.g. be fixed via an internal press fit.

[0028] Viewed in a longitudinal direction of the shaft, the pulley wheel bears on the shaft in a bearing zone of the shaft. The interference fit is preferably situated in an interference zone of the shaft, outside this bearing zone of the shaft.

[0029] When viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, the shaft has a length P of 4 mm < P < 20 mm and this bearing zone preferably has a length W of 2,4 mm < W < 12 mm.

[0030] The shaft furthermore preferably has a diameter D of 0,8 mm < D < 7 mm and even more preferably of 1,5 mm < D < 4 mm. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, the fixing plate preferably extends within a fixing zone at the end of the shaft, which fixing zone preferably has a length Y of 0,5 mm < Y < 3,5 mm. This fixing zone is preferably also situated fully outside the bearing zone. The interference zone is preferably situated fully inside the fixing zone.

[0031] In a specific embodiment, the fixing plate is a first fixing plate of the housing, which is fixed to a first end of the shaft and the housing comprises a second fixing plate, which is fixed to a second end of the shaft, opposite the first end, via an interference-fit, in order to fix the housing to the shaft.

[0032] The first fixing plate is then preferably part of a first flank body of the housing, flanking the pulley wheel on a first side, and the second fixing plate is preferably part of a second flank body of the housing, flanking the pulley wheel on a second side, opposite the first side. The first flank body and the second flank body are then interconnected by the shaft.

[0033] When in such embodiment, said pulley wheel is a first pulley wheel of the pulley, and the pulley comprises one or more additional pulley wheels, each arranged rotatable around a corresponding shaft of the pulley and each flanked by said flank bodies, the flank bodies are preferably only interconnected by means of said shafts and one or more additional interconnections extending between said pulley wheels. In this way, a pulley with greatly reduced dimensions can be obtained.

[0034] The object of the invention is also achieved by providing a pulley mechanism for a Jacquard machine, comprising an above described pulley according to the invention. In addition, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a Jacquard machine, comprising such a pulley mechanism.

[0035] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a method for producing a pulley for installation in a pulley mechanism of a Jacquard machine, comprising: providing a shaft; providing a pulley wheel; arranging the pulley wheel rotatable around the shaft; providing a housing, which is at least partially made of plastic and comprises a metal fixing plate; fixing the housing to the shaft, at least partially flanking the pulley wheel, by fixing the metal fixing plate to the shaft via an interference-fit.

[0036] Via such a method, a pulley according to the invention is obtained, with the advantages mentioned above.

[0037] Such interference-fit or pressed fit or friction fit is preferably mainly obtained through deformation (plastic and / or elastic) of the fixing plate. The deformation of the fixing plate preferably comprises an important component of elastic deformation, highly contributing to retention friction. The shaft preferably mainly remains undeformed by the interference-fit. This makes it easier to ensure that a cylindrical outer surface of such a shaft remains an accurate cylinder, for the bearing performance.

[0038] The fixing plates can e.g. be made from sheet metal, this preferably by stamping.

[0039] A central cavity can more specifically be stamped therein and the shaft can be pressed into this cavity in order to realise the interference-fit.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the fixing plate is deformed prior to the interference-fit. Preferably a hollow elongate cylindrical portion is thereby created, provided for realising the interference-fit. More specifically the fixing plate can be provided with a said central cavity, which can be provided with a bending with a raised edge, resulting in a hollow elongate cylindrical portion and into which the shaft can thereafter be pressed in order to realise the interference-fit. Instead of providing a said central cavity by stamping, the fixing plate may alternatively e.g. be deformed, to form a blind hole into which the shaft can be pressed in order to realise the interference-fit.

[0041] In order to deform the fixing plate, it can e.g. be deformed by metal forming and / or by deep drawing, etc.

[0042] In order to provide the housing, this housing is preferably formed by overmoulding a plastic part to the fixing plate.

[0043] In a housing with several flank bodies, each flank body can be formed by overmoulding a corresponding plastic part to at least one corresponding fixing plate. The plastic parts of such flank bodies can be provided with connecting elements in order to interconnect these flank bodies with additional interconnections, besides one or more interconnections with one or more shafts and corresponding fixing plates.

[0044] The present invention is now explained in more detail on the basis of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a rapier rod according to the present invention. The purpose of this description is exclusively to give explanatory examples and to point out further advantages and features of the invention, and is thus not to be interpreted as a limitation of the field of application of the invention or of the patent rights claimed in the claims.

[0045] In this detailed description, reference is made to the appended drawings by means of reference numbers, wherein in Figure 1 a pulley mechanism is represented schematically with a pulley; Figure 2 a particular embodiment of a pulley according to the invention is represented in a front view; Figure 3 the pulley of figure 2 is represented in perspective; Figure 4 the pulley of figure 2 is represented in cross section according to line AA' in figure 2; Figure 5 the pulley of figure 2 is represented in cross section according to line BB' in figure 2; Figure 6 the pulley of figure 2 is represented in perspective in an exploded view; Figure 7 a fixing plate of the pulley of figure 2 is separately represented in perspective; Figure 8 an alternative embodiment for the fixing plate of the pulley of figure 2 is separately represented in perspective; Figure 9 an alternative embodiment of a pulley according to the invention is represented in a front view; Figure 10 the pulley of figure 9 is represented in cross section according to line EE' in figure 9; Figure 11 the pulley of figure 9 is represented in cross section according to line FF' in figure 9; Figure 12 the pulley of figure 9 is represented in perspective in an exploded view; Figure 13 a fixing plate of the pulley of figure 9 is separately represented in a side view; Figure 14 the fixing plate of the pulley of figure 9 is separately represented in a longitudinal cross section.

[0046] A Jacquard machine according to the invention comprises at least two rows of hooks (34), and at least two knives, which each move up and down in counterphase opposite a row of hooks (34) and do or do not take the corresponding hooks (34) along with them.

[0047] In Figure 1 two hooks (34) are shown, which each form part of a respective row of hooks (34). These two hooks (34) form a so-called set of hooks.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, these two hooks (34) are connected to an upper pulley cord (2), which has been passed around an upper pulley wheel (5) of a pulley (1). Around the lower pulley wheel (5) of this pulley (1) a lower pulley cord (2') has been passed. This lower pulley cord (2') is at a first end connected to one or more heddles (33), which are provided with an opening (heddle eye), through which runs a warp thread (32), for adjustment of the position of this warp thread (32). Such a heddle (33) is loaded with a spring (35). At a second end, the lower pulley cord (2') is held at a well-defined position (36) in the Jacquard machine. This position (36) can be a fixed position, or can be adjustable, this, for example, with the aid of a control profile. By means of the control profile, the height of the heddle eyes of the Jacquard heddles (33) can be adjusted without the entire Jacquard machine having to be adjusted in height.

[0049] By displacement of the hooks (24), via the upper pulley cord (2), also the position of the pulley (1) is altered, and hence, via the lower pulley cord (2'), also the position of the heddle (33) is altered. In this way, the warp thread (32) which is fitted herein can be brought into a desired position in order to realize with the weft threads (31) a desired weave structure having a desired pattern.

[0050] In addition to the components depicted in Figure 1, a pulley mechanism can further also comprise other components, such as, for example, reversing rollers, around which a pulley cord (2, 2') has been passed and which can also constitute pulleys according to the invention, harness cords, etc.

[0051] The illustrated pulley (1) from this pulley mechanism comprises the said pulley wheels (5), which are each fitted rotatably around a shaft (3). In alternative non-illustrated embodiments one pulley wheel (5) or more than two pulley wheels (5) can be present, each similarly rotatably fitted around a corresponding shaft (3).

[0052] The shafts (3) preferably have a higher resistance to wear than the pulley wheels (5). The shafts (3) can for this purpose preferentially be produced from metal and this preferably from bearing steel, such as e.g. carbon chromium steel, preferably hardened, more specifically e.g. to 60HRC, preferably with fine surface finish. This can advantageously be a material which is also used, for example, in hydraulic applications, in precision instruments, in control apparatus etc., so that the availability thereof is high and hence a high-quality product can be realized for a limited cost. In the illustrated embodiments, the shafts (3) are full shafts (3) Preferably a needle roller is used as such full shaft, i.e. a component designed for a roller bearing, which is standardly available. In alternative, non-illustrated embodiments, it is also possible to use hollow shafts.

[0053] More specifically, stainless steel types from the AISI 300 series, for example, such as AISI type 302, 304, 310, 316, etc., preferably in a state denoted by "full hard", are suitable materials for such a shaft (3). Preferably, such a shaft (3) is produced by a drawing process.

[0054] In order to be better able to retain lubricants, a shaft (3) of a pulley (1) according to the invention is preferably provided with a porous coating. Such a coating can be, for example, tungsten disulfide.

[0055] The pulley wheels (5) are preferably produced from plastic. In this respect, they can be elaborated in known manners. Here polyoxymethylene (POM) or a nylon (PA6 or PA6.6) can be considered, but for a more durable solution polyether ether ketone (PEEK) can also be considered. To this plastic lubrication additives, such as graphite or teflon (polytetrafluorethylene - PTFE), are preferably added.

[0056] In order to be able to better retain lubricants, such a pulley wheel (5) can also be provided with a labyrinth seal.

[0057] On its periphery, such a pulley wheel (5) is preferably provided with a slot (27), as shown in Figures 3, 5-6 and 11-12, in order to guide the pulley cord (2) which has been passed around here.

[0058] The housing (4) of a pulley (1) according to the invention is partially made from plastic and comprises one or more fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') for fixing the housing (4) to the one or more shafts (3). These fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') are fixed to a corresponding shaft (3) by means of an interference-fit. The interference-fit is mainly obtained through deformation (plastic and / or elastic) of the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11'). The deformation of the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') preferably comprises an important component of elastic deformation, highly contributing to retention friction. In the illustrated embodiments the interference-fit is realised with about 45% of elastic deformation and about 55% of plastic deformation. The shaft (3) preferably mainly remains undeformed by the interference-fit. This makes it easier to ensure that the cylindrical outer surface of the shaft (3) remains an accurate cylinder, for the bearing performance. By virtue of the frictional clamping, not only the housing (4) is axially secured by the shaft (3), but the shaft (3) is also radially secured by housing (4), so that this shaft (3) cannot rotate with respect to the housing (4), which avoids wear.

[0059] The illustrated pulleys (1) comprise flank bodies (6, 6', 7, 7'), which are arranged on both sides of the pulley wheels (5) and which form the housing (4). In alternative embodiments, only one flank body, at least flanking one or more pulley wheels (5) on at least one side thereof, can constitute the housing (4).

[0060] Each of the illustrated flank bodies (6, 6', 7, 7') comprises a corresponding plastic part (8, 8', 9, 9') in which at least one said fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') is included. In alternative, non-illustrated embodiments, a single plastic part can comprise both such flank bodies.

[0061] The metal fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') can be made from austenitic stainless steel, which is low cost, highly available, has a high elongation to break and does not need additional corrosion protection. In this respect e.g. AISI 300 series can be used, e.g. INOX 301 - 304, preferably in a state denoted by "half-hard".

[0062] The metal fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') can be made from sheet metal. If the metal fixing plates is made from sheet metal, then this sheet metal preferably has a thickness of about 0,3 mm.

[0063] When the fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') are made from sheet metal, they are preferably formed by stamping. A central cavity (16) can either be stamped therein as a through hole as in the illustrated embodiments, or alternatively a blind cavity can be formed therein and the shaft (3) can be pressed into this cavity (16) in order to realise the interference-fit. Such central cavity (16) can have a round shape, as in the illustrated embodiments, or the shape of a polygon, such as e.g. an octagon.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiments, the fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') are deformed prior to the interference-fit, such that by bending of the sheet metal, a raised edge (16) is provided to the cavity (16), resulting in a hollow elongate cylindrical portion (23), provided for realising the interference-fit.

[0065] Viewed in a longitudinal direction (L) of the shaft (3), the pulley wheel (5) bears on the shaft (5) in a bearing zone (W) of the shaft (3). In the illustrated embodiments, the interference fit is situated in an interference zone (X) of the shaft (3), outside this bearing zone (W) of the shaft (3). In alternative embodiments, e.g. with a hollow shaft (3), the interference zone (X) could at least partially overlap with the bearing zone (W).

[0066] When viewed in the longitudinal direction (L) of the shaft (3), the shaft (3) preferably has a length P of 4 mm < P < 20 mm and the bearing zone (W) preferably has a length W of 2,4 mm < W < 12 mm.

[0067] The shaft (3) furthermore preferably has a diameter D of 0,8 mm < D < 7 mm and even more preferably 1,5 mm < D < 4 mm. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (3), the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') preferably extends within a fixing zone (Y) at the end of the shaft (3), which fixing zone (Y) preferably has a length Y of 0,5 mm < Y < 3,5 mm. This fixing zone Y) is preferably also situated fully outside the bearing zone. The interference zone (X) is preferably situated fully inside the fixing zone (Y).

[0068] In the first illustrated embodiment of figures 2-6, these dimensions are more specifically P = 5,8 mm, W= 3,5 mm, D = 2,0 mm, Y = 1 mm and 0,5 mm ≤ X ≤ 0,7 mm.

[0069] When the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') is deformed, prior to realising the interference fit, as in the illustrated embodiments, the interference zone (X) preferably has a length of 0,3 mm ≤ X < 3 mm. In alternative embodiments, wherein the fixing plate would not be deformed after stamping, the interference zone (X) has a length , resulting from the deformation of the fixing plate when realising the interference fit.

[0070] In alternative non-illustrated embodiments with only one flank body, with a shaft (3) having a length P of 4 mm < P < 20 mm, the bearing zone (W) preferably also has a length W of 2,4 mm < W < 12 mm. The interference zone (X) could then have a longer length X of up to 10 mm.

[0071] In alternative non-illustrated embodiments of pulleys, with a hollow shaft, it is possible to provide a metal fixing plate with a projection for fixing the metal fixing plate to the hollow shaft via an internal press fit. In such embodiments, up to the full length of the shaft could be used for fixing the fixing plate to the shaft, such that the fixing zone (Y) could amount to up to 20 mm. Preferably, the length Y of this fixing zone (Y) is then still limited to maximum 10 mm.

[0072] In the first illustrated embodiment of figures 2-8, per end of each shaft (3), a separate fixing plate (10, 10", 11) is provided. All fixing plates (10, 10", 11) are identical, but could in alternative embodiments deviate from each other. In the second illustrated embodiment of figures 9-14, a first fixing plate (10') is provided on one side of both shafts (3) and a second fixing plate (11') is provided on the other side of both shafts (3). These fixing plates (10', 11') are identical, but could in alternative embodiments deviate from each other.

[0073] Preferentially, each plastic part (8, 8', 9, 9') is overmoulded to the one or more corresponding fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11'). This allows a cheaper choice of material. Polyamide 6.6, whether or not in combination with glass fibre, for example 30% glass fibre, is for example a suitable material for the one or more plastic parts (8, 8', 9, 9') of such a housing (4), but also other materials, such as polyamide 6 and polyoxymethylene (POM), qualify as the base plastic.

[0074] In order to rigidly fix the metal fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') in the plastic parts (8, 8', 9, 9') at overmoulding, the metal fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') are provided with irregularities (19, 20, 22) in their outer circumference (17). In the embodiment as illustrated in figure 7, the fixing plate (10) has mainly a round form, but is provided with flattened edges (19), preventing the fixing plate (10) from moving in an overmoulded plastic part (8). In the embodiment as illustrated in figure 8, indentations (20) are provided in the outer circumference (17). In the embodiment as illustrated in figure 13, the fixing plate (10') is also provided with indentations (22) and is additionally provided with an irregularly shaped hole (21), preventing the fixing plate (10') from moving in an overmoulded plastic part (8').

[0075] In the first illustrated embodiment, as illustrated in figures 2-8, by overmoulding, the metal fixing plates (10, 10", 11) are at their full outer circumference (17) caught in the corresponding plastic part (8, 9). In the second illustrated embodiment, as illustrated in figures 9-14, the metal fixing plates (10', 11') are at two opposite sides caught with an edge in a slot in the plastic part (8', 9') at overmoulding.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiments, after overmoulding of the plastic parts, the fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') each time extend partially at the outer perimeter of the pulley (1) for heat dissipation.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiments, the flank bodies (6, 6', 7, 7') are interconnected by means of the shafts (3), this by means of corresponding fixing plates (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') of the flank bodies (6, 6', 7, 7'). In embodiments with only one pulley wheel (5), such flank bodies (6, 6', 7, 7') can only be interconnected with the corresponding shaft (3). One or more additional interconnections could be provided, which then preferably only extend at one side of the pulley wheel (5). In embodiments with several pulley wheels (5) besides interconnections with the shafts (3), it is also possible to provide one or more additional interconnections. In the illustrated embodiments, such additional interconnections (12) are situated between the pulley wheels (5). This way, the housing (4) extends only laterally next to and between the pulley wheels (5), but not beyond the pulley wheels, so that a particularly compact pulley (1) is obtained. In the illustrated embodiments (12), the plastic parts (8, 8', 9, 9') are provided with corresponding pins (13) and holes (14) for realising the additional interconnections (12). After inserting the pins (13) into the holes (14), the pins (13) are deformed, e.g. by ultrasonic welding, to create a thickened head (15) in order to realise such additional interconnection (12). In alternative embodiments, additional interconnections could e.g. be obtained by using a press fit and / or a click connection and / or adhesive, etc.

[0078] As can be seen in Figures 2-3, 6, 9 and 12, the housing (4) can be provided with wings (29), which extend between several pulley wheels (5), or in case of a single wheel approximately 50% of the wheel circumference is covered by the wing, in order to better guide a cord (2) passed around a pulley wheel (5).

[0079] At least one flank body (6, 6', 7, 7') of a pulley (1) according to this invention preferably comprises a groove (28), as shown in the particular embodiment in Figure 3, for the securement of a pulley cord (2, 2') passed around a pulley wheel (5). This groove (28) preferably extends transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) of the corresponding shaft (3) over the whole of the flank body (6, 6', 7, 7') and here preferably runs, starting from one side of the flank body (6, 6', 7, 7'), through to the opposite side thereof. This groove preferably assumes the same curved shape in which the pulley cord (2, 2') is passed around the pulley wheel (5).

Claims

1. Pulley (1) for installation in a pulley mechanism of a Jacquard machine, comprising: - a shaft (3); - a pulley wheel (5), which is arranged rotatable around the shaft (3); and - a housing (4), which is at least partially made of plastic, which is fixed to the shaft (3) and at least partially flanks the pulley wheel (5); characterised the housing (4) comprises a metal fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11'), which is fixed to the shaft (3) via an interference-fit, in order to fix the housing (4) to the shaft (3).

2. Pulley (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') comprises a hollow elongate cylindrical portion (23) provided for the interference-fit.

3. Pulley (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (4) comprises a plastic part (8, 8', 9, 9') to which the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') is fixed with at least one edge.

4. Pulley (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') is caught with the at least one edge in a slot in the plastic part (8, 8', 9, 9') in order to fix this fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') to the plastic part (8, 8', 9, 9').

5. Pulley (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plastic part (8, 8', 9, 9') is a guiding part of the pulley (1).

6. Pulley (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') extends partially at the outer perimeter of the pulley (1) for heat dissipation.

7. Pulley (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that viewed in a longitudinal direction (L) of the shaft (3), the pulley wheel (5) bears on the shaft (3) in a bearing zone (W) of the shaft and that the interference fit is situated in an interference zone (X) of the shaft (3), outside this bearing zone (W) of the shaft (3).

8. Pulley (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') is a first fixing plate (10, 10', 10") of the housing (4), which is fixed to a first end of the shaft (3) and that the housing (4) comprises a second fixing plate (11, 11'), which is fixed to a second end of the shaft (3), opposite the first end, via an interference-fit, in order to fix the housing (4) to the shaft (3).

9. Pulley (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the first fixing plate (10, 10', 10") is part of a first flank body (6) of the housing (4), flanking the pulley wheel (5) on a first side, that the second fixing plate (11, 11') is part of a second flank body (7) of the housing (4), flanking the pulley wheel (5) on a second side, opposite the first side and that the first flank body (6) and the second flank body (7) are interconnected by the shaft (3).

10. Pulley (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the pulley wheel (5) is a first pulley wheel of the pulley (1), that the pulley comprises one or more additional pulley wheels (5), each arranged rotatable around a corresponding shaft (3) of the pulley (1) and each flanked by said flank bodies (6, 7) and that the flank bodies (6, 7) are only interconnected by means of the shafts (3) and one or more additional interconnections (12) extending between said pulley wheels (5).

11. Pulley mechanism for a Jacquard machine, characterized in that this pulley mechanism comprises a pulley (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

12. Jacquard machine, characterized in that this Jacquard machine comprises a pulley mechanism according to claim 11.

13. Method for producing a pulley (1) for installation in a pulley mechanism of a Jacquard machine, comprising: - providing a shaft (3); - providing a pulley wheel (5); - arranging the pulley wheel (5) rotatable around the shaft (3); - providing a housing (4), which is at least partially made of plastic, - fixing the housing (4) to the shaft (3), at least partially flanking the pulley wheel (5); characterised the housing (4) comprises a metal fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11'), which is fixed to the shaft (3) via an interference-fit, in order to fix the housing (4) to the shaft (3).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the interference-fit is mainly obtained through deformation of the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11').

15. Method according to any of claims 13-14, characterised in that the fixing plate (10, 10', 10", 11, 11') is deformed prior to the interference-fit.

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