Braiding Machine Reel Carrier Orientation via Pinion Gears

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Solution Overview

Problem

In thread braiding machines, the movement of the reel causes significant tension variations in the thread, affecting its quality and strength, as one part of the thread is under tension while another part is not, during the braiding process.

Innovation Solution

A braiding machine design where the reel carrier moves along a figure-of-eight shaped guide, with pinion gears meshing to maintain the reel carrier's orientation, ensuring consistent thread tension by preventing variations in the movement of the reel carrier mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the reel carrier moves along a curved trajectory during braiding, then the braiding process can be completed, but significant tension variations occur in the thread affecting quality and strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraiding process completionVSAvoidthread strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A tensioning device acts as an intermediary element between the reel carrier and the thread, actively compensating for tension variations caused by the curved figure-of-eight trajectory. This mediator maintains constant thread tension despite the complex motion path, preventing strength degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts tensioning parameters through the tensioning device to compensate for variations in thread tension caused by the curved trajectory. By changing the tensioning force parameter in real-time, the system maintains optimal thread tension throughout the braiding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If the reel carrier follows a figure-of-eight trajectory, then braiding coverage is achieved, but one part of the thread is under tension while another part is not

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraiding coverage areaVSAvoidthread tension uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning device serves as a mediator that equalizes tension distribution across the entire thread length. It compensates for the uneven tension distribution caused by the figure-of-eight trajectory, ensuring uniform tension throughout the braiding coverage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning device creates equipotential conditions for thread tension throughout the braiding process. By actively adjusting tension, it ensures that all parts of the thread experience equivalent tension levels despite the varying positions in the figure-of-eight trajectory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Shape

If the reel carrier mechanism moves along a curved path, then the braiding pattern is formed, but thread tension varies significantly throughout the process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraiding patternVSAvoidthread tension
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning device acts as an intermediary force mechanism that decouples the braiding pattern formation from thread tension variations. It maintains constant thread tension force while allowing the reel carrier to follow the curved figure-of-eight path needed for pattern formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning device provides a counteracting force to compensate for the tension variations induced by the curved trajectory. It acts as a mechanical counterweight that balances the fluctuating tension forces, maintaining steady thread tension throughout the braiding cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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

The solution ensures that the thread does not experience tension changes throughout the braiding process, maintaining consistent thread quality and strength, which is crucial for producing safe and reliable braided ropes.

Implementation Method 1

a first axis connected to the supply means, belonging to the platen, which ends up at the top in a first pinion with which there meshes at least one satellite pinion which in turn is meshed with a second pinion belonging to the reel carrier mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear meshing: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3375922B1Braiding machine
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 TALLERES RATERA
  • EP3375922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3375922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3375922B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Comprising supply means (1) that move platens (2) on which there are arranged reel carrier mechanisms (3) and comprising: at least one figure-of-eight shaped guide (8) through the inside of which there moves a guide element (5) belonging to reel carrier mechanism (3), and a first axis (6) connected to the supply means, belonging to the platen, that ends up at the top in the first pinion (7) with which there meshes at least one satellite pinion (4) which in turn is meshed with a second pinion (9) belonging to reel carrier mechanism; wherein when the first axis rotates it rotates in turn the first pinion that drags the satellite pinion, moving it, dragging in turn said satellite pinion to the second pinion that moves the reel carrier mechanism according to the trajectory of the guide, with the same face of reel carrier mechanism ending up facing a predetermined reference point throughout the trajectory by guide.