Ball Thread Brake for Double Wire Twisting Spindle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ball thread brakes are limited in achieving low thread tension forces, particularly for fine yarns, and face complications during assembly and maintenance, with existing adjustment mechanisms being cumbersome and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

The braking force is adjusted solely by turning the thread inlet tube, which converts rotational movement into axial movement of the upper braking surface ring, and a braking ball holding device is provided to prevent the ball from falling during pneumatic threading, eliminating the need to adjust the height of the thread inlet tube and reducing assembly complications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the spring clamping effect is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the two braking surface rings, then the braking force can be adjusted, but the height of the thread inlet pipe must be changed which consumes space and changes the angle of entry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking force adjustmentVSAvoidthread inlet pipe height adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the adjustment dimension from axial (height of thread inlet pipe) to rotational (thread inlet pipe rotation). By rotating the thread inlet pipe, the upper braking surface ring moves axially to adjust the distance between braking surface rings, thereby adjusting braking force without changing the overall height of the thread inlet pipe assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the thread inlet tube height is adjusted to change the force on the upper braking surface ring, then the braking force is adjusted, but this setting remains unchanged during the winding process and cannot cover the entire thread tension range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread tension range coverageVSAvoidbraking force adjustment during winding
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static adjustment mechanism into a dynamic one. The thread inlet pipe can be rotated during the winding process to dynamically adjust the braking force according to different thread tension requirements, making the system adaptable throughout the entire winding process rather than fixed at a single setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the lower braking surface ring is moved downwards during pneumatic threading, then the thread path is cleared, but the brake ball may fall out and get lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepneumatic threading efficiencyVSAvoidbrake ball retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component - a brake ball retention element - that temporarily holds the brake ball during pneumatic threading operations. This retention element prevents the brake ball from falling out when the lower braking surface ring is moved downward, ensuring reliability while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple capsule variants are used to cover different braking force requirements, then the thread tension range is covered, but the outlay on operating elements increases and confusion may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread tension range coverageVSAvoidnumber of capsule variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the single brake capsule universal by enabling dynamic adjustment of braking force through thread inlet pipe rotation. Instead of requiring multiple capsule variants for different thread tension ranges, one capsule can accommodate the entire range by adjusting the upper braking surface ring position, reducing the number of operating elements needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design allows for lower yarn tension forces to be achieved without increasing the complexity of assembly or maintenance, enabling a wider range of braking forces without the need for multiple capsule variants, thus simplifying operation and reducing the risk of errors.

Implementation Method 1

The upper braking surface ring is integrated into an element that converts a rotational movement of the yarn inlet tube into an axial movement of the upper braking surface ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a spring clamped between them, which presses the brake cap caps against the brake surface rings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

using a pneumatic threading device, in which the thread is automatically threaded through the passage released by pneumatic effects using a suction air stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic transport: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3165640B1Ball thread brake for a double wire twisting spindle
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 SAURER TECH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3165640B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3165640B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3165640B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A ball thread brake for a double-wire twisting spindle, comprising: - a tubular brake housing (1) consisting of an upper housing section (2) and a lower housing section (3) screwed to it; - a thread inlet tube (4) rotatably mounted coaxially in the upper housing section (2); - an upper brake surface ring (6) associated with the thread inlet tube (4), the height of which is adjusted by rotating the thread inlet tube (4); - a brake ball (7) cooperating with this brake surface ring (6); - an axially displaceable piston (9) guided in a sealing manner in the lower housing section (3), which is located on the outside of its upwardly directed base (9).1) carries a lower brake surface ring (10), and which - by means of suction force is adjustable downwards in the axial direction against the force of a return spring (12), - a brake force adjusting device acting on the brake unit consisting of the two brake surface rings and the brake ball, is characterized in that - the brake force adjusting device is formed by at least one brake force adjusting spring (14 or 12) which acts from below on the lower brake surface ring (10).