Braiding Machine Clapper with Leaf Spring Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braiding machine setups require significant time for setup and experience tension fluctuations in the braiding material due to the need for winding onto spool carriers and the use of braking systems, which lead to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in the braiding process.
Innovation Solution
A braiding machine system featuring a carrier with displaceable and stationary deflection rollers, where the braiding material is connected to a fixing piece with a tension member, such as a leaf spring, allowing for constant tension application without the need for coil carriers or braking systems, thereby reducing setup time and tension fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the braiding material is wound onto spool carriers and guided over rollers to a coil carrier, then the braiding material can be fed to the braiding process, but the set-up time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex system of multiple rollers, guides, and spool carriers from the braiding material feeding path. Instead, the braiding material is fed directly from a simple holder to the braiding zone, removing unnecessary intermediate elements while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of guiding the braiding material through multiple rollers to a coil carrier as in conventional systems, the patent inverts the approach by having the material fed directly from a minimal holder structure, simplifying the material path and reducing setup complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a braking system with trigger is used to control the spool carrier, then the braiding material can be fed at predetermined lengths, but tension fluctuations occur in the braiding material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the braking system with trigger entirely from the material feeding mechanism. The direct feeding approach eliminates the need for tension control devices that cause fluctuations, achieving consistent tension through simplicity rather than complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of uncontrolled material feeding into a benefit by using the natural properties of the braiding material and geometry of the direct feeding path to maintain constant tension, eliminating the need for active braking and triggering mechanisms.
3Length of moving object
If multiple displaceable and stationary deflection rollers are arranged, then the displacement path of the carriage is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the multiple displaceable and stationary deflection rollers from the system. The direct feeding path eliminates the need for these rollers, minimizing the displacement path without adding device complexity.
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 solution significantly reduces setup time and maintains a consistent tension in the braiding material, leading to a more precise and efficient braiding process with minimal tension variation, ideal for producing uniform braids, especially in precision components like micro-stents.
Implementation Method 1
the tension member has a leaf spring wound around an axle
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The bobbin has a cord (11) which is wound around a displaceably arranged roller (6) and a stationary deflection roller (5). The displaceably arranged roller is operated based on a voltage supplied from a voltage link. The one end of the cord is connected to a fixing element (15) for receiving an end of a fencing material (3), to apply a voltage to the fencing material. The voltage link is provided with a plate spring (14) whose one end is attached to an axle (10) and other end is connected to the displaceably arranged roller. An independent claim is included for a method of applying a voltage to fencing material.