Air Loom Main Nozzle Support With Separable Brush Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The maintenance and cleaning of brush means in air loom nozzles are complex and time-consuming, requiring disassembly of multiple components and specialized operators, which can alter the geometric arrangement of the compressed air jets.

Innovation Solution

A support for main launching nozzles with brush means, comprising two separable parts allowing direct access to the brushes without disassembling the compressed air components, ensuring the geometric arrangement remains unchanged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the brush means is integrated into the main nozzle assembly as disclosed in prior art, then the weft thread retaining function is improved, but the maintenance complexity and time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweft thread retaining functionVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into two separable parts: a first part containing the compressed air jet components and a second part containing the brush means. This segmentation allows the brush means to be accessed and maintained independently without disassembling the compressed air components, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brush means is extracted from the interior of the compressed air jet path and placed in a separate accessible location on the support structure. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to clean and replace the brush means directly without having to disassemble the compressed air jet components, eliminating the need for recalibration and reducing maintenance time while preserving the weft thread retaining function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Shape

If traditional integrated nozzle design is used, then structural compactness is maintained, but maintenance requires disassembly of multiple components altering geometric arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The support is segmented into two parts that can be separated from each other. The first part houses the compressed air jet components while the second part contains the brush means. This segmentation maintains structural compactness when assembled but provides easy access to the brush means for maintenance by simply separating the two parts, without altering the geometric arrangement of the compressed air jet components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If brush means is accessible only after disassembling compressed air components, then structural integrity is maintained, but maintenance time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmaintenance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush means is extracted from the compressed air jet assembly and positioned in a separately accessible location on the support structure. This allows maintenance personnel to service the brush means directly without disassembling any compressed air components, thereby maintaining structural integrity while significantly improving maintenance efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed so that the brush means can be serviced independently of the compressed air system. The separable design allows the brush means to be cleaned, replaced, or adjusted without affecting the compressed air jet components, enabling self-service maintenance that does not require specialized operators or system shutdowns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates rapid and easy maintenance of brush means, preserving the geometric integrity of the nozzles and eliminating the need for recalibration of compressed air jets.

Implementation Method 1

the weft thread freely flows through the brush means during the insertion operation, but when the weft thread is cut, any possible retrograde motion of its free end is immediately and effectively stopped by the brush means, around the bristles of which the weft thread remains entangled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical entanglement: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the weft thread is kept taut and correctly inserted inside the main nozzle by the dynamic pressure of the compressed air jet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDynamic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

Secondary nozzles, also supplied with compressed air, are then arranged at regular intervals along the warp shed to emit air jets which are appropriately directed to sustain and push the weft thread along the reed channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4613922A1Support for main launching nozzles of an air loom, said nozzles being equipped with brush means for retaining the weft threads
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 ITEMA
  • EP4613922A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4613922A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4613922A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A support (A) for the main launching nozzles of an air loom, wherein said main launching nozzles comprise components forming compressed air jets and components launching the weft threads and are equipped with brush means (1) for retaining the weft threads. Said support (A) comprises a rear part of the support (A1) and a front part of the support (A2), which are distinct and mutually adjacent at a connection surface of the support where seats (4, 5) housing one or more of said brush means (1) are provided.