Asymmetric Synchronization for Gripper Carrier Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for driving gripper carriers in weaving machines face challenges in synchronizing asymmetrical movements between bringer and taker grippers, leading to difficulties in controlling speed variations and requiring higher accelerations to maintain the same number of insertions per unit time, especially at maximum weaving widths.
Innovation Solution
A common drive motor is used for both gripper carriers, with variable speed control to ensure the bringer gripper enters the shed slower and the taker gripper leaves slower, dephasing their movements so the bringer gripper's outer reversing point is ahead of the taker gripper's, allowing for lower speed weft thread insertion without independent motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common drive motor is used for both gripper carriers to reduce device complexity and cost, then the number of motors is reduced, but synchronizing the asymmetrical movements of bringer and taker grippers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A synchronization device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the common drive motor and the two gripper carriers. This device includes a synchronization wheel with asymmetric tooth profiles that engages with drive gears on both gripper carriers, ensuring their movements remain synchronized despite the asymmetrical motion requirements. The synchronization wheel acts as a mediator that translates the single motor's rotation into coordinated asymmetric movements of both grippers.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization wheel employs asymmetric tooth profiles with different engagement characteristics on opposite sides. One side has teeth designed for engaging the bringer gripper drive gear, while the other side has teeth configured for the taker gripper drive gear. This asymmetry in the synchronization mechanism enables the bringer and taker grippers to follow different motion paths and speed profiles while maintaining proper coordination, resolving the contradiction between using a common motor and achieving asymmetrical synchronized movement.
2Duration of action of moving object
If asymmetrical movement is implemented to allow more time for weft thread transfer, then the transfer time is increased, but the bringer and taker grippers must travel greater distances requiring higher accelerations
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system employs dynamic speed variation through a program-controlled common drive motor that adjusts its rotational speed profile during the weaving cycle. The motor operates at variable speeds to allow the bringer gripper to enter the shed slower and the taker gripper to leave slower, extending the time available for weft thread transfer. The synchronization device dynamically coordinates the asymmetric movements of both grippers according to the varying motor speed, enabling extended transfer time without requiring excessively high accelerations.
3Speed
If the bringer gripper enters the shed slower and the taker gripper leaves slower to enable low-speed weft thread insertion, then the insertion speed is reduced, but the gripper carriers must be dephased requiring precise synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization mechanism replaces complex mechanical coupling with a program-controlled drive system. The common drive motor's rotation is precisely controlled through programming to achieve the desired dephasing between the bringer and taker gripper outer reversing points. This electronic/control-based approach provides more precise and adjustable synchronization compared to pure mechanical linkage, enabling the required phase difference while maintaining accurate coordination of the asymmetric movements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Drive and method for driving a gripper carrier (2) for a bringer gripper (3) and a gripper carrier (4) for a taker gripper (5) by means of a drive (1), which drive (1) comprises a common drive motor (6) for two drive mechanisms (10, 11) and two drive wheels (14, 15) each driven by an associated drive mechanism (10, 11) for a gripper carrier (2, 4), wherein the gripper carriers (2, 4) are driven so that the bringer gripper (3) and the taker gripper (4) each reciprocate between an outer reversing point (I, III) situated out- side the shed (29) and an inner reversing point (II, IV) situated inside the shed (29) and wherein, with respect to the weaving cycle, the outer reversing point (I) of the bringer gripper (3) is ahead of the outer reversing point (III) of the taker gripper (5).