Adjustable Shed Stroke Driving Device for Weaving Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driving devices for shedding units in weaving machines lack an efficient method for easily adjusting the shed stroke, which is crucial for optimizing the movement of heald frames.

Innovation Solution

A driving device comprising a rotationally mounted drive element, a crank, and a locking unit, where the crank is releasably lockable to the drive element in different angular positions, allowing for adjustment of the shed stroke by moving the drive element about its axis of rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the crank is made fixed to the drive element, then the structural stability is improved, but the adjustability of shed stroke deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadjustability of shed stroke
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the crank and drive element is made dynamically adjustable through a locking unit that allows the crank to be locked in different angular positions or unlocked for adjustment, enabling the system to switch between fixed and adjustable states as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the locking unit is made complex to achieve precise angular positioning, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular positioning precisionVSAvoidlocking unit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking unit is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking at predetermined angular positions, automatically maintaining precise positioning without requiring complex control mechanisms or manual intervention for maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the crank is made adjustable to different angular positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of crank positionVSAvoidease of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking unit is pre-configured with predetermined locking positions that guide the adjustment process, allowing operators to quickly set the crank to standard angular positions without complex calculations or measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4269675B1Driving device for a shedding unit and method for adjusting a shed stroke
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 PICANOL NV
  • EP4269675B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4269675B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4269675B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a driving device for a shedding unit (1) and a method for adjusting a shed stroke of a driving device (5) for a shedding unit (1), the driving device (5) comprising a rotationally mounted drive element (16), a crank (6), and a locking unit (30), wherein for a rotation about the axis of rotation (17) of the drive element (16) together with the drive element (16), the crank(6) is releasably lockable to the drive element (16) in different angular positions with respect to the drive element (16) by the locking unit (30), and wherein when the crank (6) is unlocked from the drive element (16), for adjusting the angular position of the crank (6) with respect to the drive element (16), the driving device (5) is configured to move the drive element (16) about an axis of rotation (17) of the drive element (16) for causing a relative movement between the drive element (16) and the crank (6) about a seat axis (22), a movement of a distal end (24) of the crank (6) is restricted to a movement along a defined path, when unlocking the crank (6) from the drive element (16) and moving the drive element (16) about the axis of rotation (17) of the drive element (16). The invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method for adjusting a shed stroke of a driving device for a shedding unit.