Bringer Gripper Groove Thread Guidance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gripper weaving machines face challenges in easily taking up weft threads of varying tensions and dimensions without risking breakage or damage to the threads, particularly due to the need for precise thread positioning and tension maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A bringer gripper with a thread clamp interacting with a thread guiding element that moves through a groove in a deflecting guide, allowing for the easy uptake of weft threads regardless of tension, and featuring a simple, lightweight design with minimal components to prevent thread damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a bringer gripper uses a traditional thread presenter with a deflecting guide to hold the weft thread horizontally, then the thread can be positioned for uptake, but the gripper requires complex guide surfaces and lips to maintain thread tension and positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of weft thread uptakeVSAvoidcomplexity of bringer gripper structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the thread guiding function from the bringer gripper by using a separate deflecting guide with a groove. The groove receives and guides the thread guiding element, eliminating the need for complex guide surfaces and lips on the gripper itself. This separation simplifies the gripper structure while maintaining thread positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a thread guiding element as an intermediary component that moves through the groove in the deflecting guide. This element mediates between the horizontally positioned weft thread and the thread clamp, enabling simple and reliable thread uptake without complex gripper structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bringer gripper requires the weft thread to be held ready under certain tension for easy uptake, then thread positioning is improved, but threads of varying tensions and dimensions cannot be taken up easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different weft thread tensions and dimensionsVSAvoidrisk of thread breaks during uptake
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic elements including a movable thread guiding element that moves through the groove and a thread clamp with movable clamping elements. These dynamic components adapt to threads of varying tensions and dimensions, enabling reliable uptake without requiring specific thread tension conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows for parameter changes in the clamping force and positioning of the thread guiding element to accommodate threads of different tensions and dimensions. The thread clamp can adjust its clamping pressure, and the groove geometry can be modified to suit different thread types, enhancing adaptability while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If the bringer gripper is designed with multiple guide surfaces and positioning lips to maintain thread tension, then thread positioning is improved, but the gripper becomes heavier and longer in the longitudinal direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of bringer gripper in longitudinal directionVSAvoidease of weft thread uptake
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the thread positioning function from the bringer gripper body and relocates it to a separate deflecting guide with a groove. This extraction eliminates the need for extensive guide surfaces and positioning lips on the gripper, significantly reducing its length in the longitudinal direction while maintaining effective thread uptake.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The thread guiding element nests within the groove of the deflecting guide, creating a compact arrangement. This nested configuration allows the thread positioning mechanism to be integrated into a small space, reducing the overall length of the bringer gripper assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Weight of moving object

If the bringer gripper is configured with fewer components to be lighter and more compact, then device complexity is reduced, but thread positioning and tension maintenance become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of bringer gripperVSAvoidprecision of thread positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thread guiding element as a simple intermediary component that moves through the groove to achieve precise thread positioning. This single element provides the necessary guidance and tension maintenance without requiring multiple complex components, keeping the bringer gripper lightweight while ensuring manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove in the deflecting guide is designed to automatically guide the thread guiding element into the correct position as it moves. This self-guiding mechanism eliminates the need for additional positioning components, reducing weight while maintaining precise thread positioning through the inherent geometry of the groove and element interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2122027B1Gripper weaving machine, bringer gripper and deflecting guide
Publication Date: 2012.06.27 PICANOL NV
  • EP2122027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2122027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2122027B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A gripper weaving machine provided with a bringer gripper (2) and a deflecting guide (3) on which a weft thread (4, 50) can rest before being brought into a weaving shed (9) by means of the bringer gripper (2), wherein the deflecting guide (3) comprises a groove (20) and the bringer gripper (2) comprises a thread clamp (40) and wherein the thread clamp (40) interacts with a thread guiding element (41 ) for the thread clamp (40) that moves, during the taking up of a weft thread (4, 50), through the groove (20) in order to take up a weft thread (4, 50) resting on the deflecting guide (3). A bringer gripper (2) and a deflecting guide (3) which are used in a gripper weaving machine.