Color-Changing Knitted Net with Longitudinal Thread Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Knotless knitted nets lack the ability to create color breaks or lateral color offsets, limiting their design flexibility and durability, especially when used for sports and decorative purposes.

Innovation Solution

A net with a color pattern that changes in the longitudinal direction is achieved by using at least two thread systems of different colors, where one color is integrated as reinforcement within the mesh legs and becomes visible only in specific sections, allowing for reversible color patterns and reinforcement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If colored threads are processed in batches to create vertical stripes, then the net achieves a colored design, but the design flexibility is limited and cannot achieve color breaks or lateral color offsets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The net is divided into multiple longitudinal sections, each with its own color pattern. Different colored thread systems are assigned to different sections, allowing independent color design in each segment while maintaining overall production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The production system is designed to handle multiple colored thread systems simultaneously, where each thread system can be independently configured for different colors and patterns, making the same production line capable of creating various color designs without retooling

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If advertising information is sprayed on the net, then color patterns are achieved, but the durability is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor pattern capabilityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The net combines multiple colored thread systems into a single integrated structure, where each thread system contributes its color permanently to the mesh. This composite approach creates a durable color pattern that is inherent to the net structure itself, rather than being a surface coating that can deteriorate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple colored thread systems are used with color changes in the longitudinal direction, then design flexibility is significantly improved, but the production process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern design capabilityVSAvoidproduction ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The colored thread systems are prepared and configured before the actual net production begins. Thread systems are pre-sorted by color and arranged in the desired longitudinal sequence, allowing the production process to proceed smoothly without complex real-time switching or reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2285456B1Net having changing color pattern in the production direction
Publication Date: 2012.05.23 MANFRED HUCK NETZ & SEILFAB
  • EP2285456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2285456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2285456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a net, for example a net for sports, protective or decorative purposes, having a pattern of the mesh structure formed by colored threads. The color pattern changes in the direction of the production (8) of the net, wherein a first longitudinal section (3) having a first color (1) is followed by at least one second longitudinal section (4) having a second color (2), wherein the color effect is optically visible as a result of the threads of the particular color (1 or 2) formed into the mesh. The threads of the respective nonvisible color (2 or 1) are embedded as wefts inside the net mesh sides such that the first (1) color is invisible in the second longitudinal section (4) and the second color (2) is invisible in the first longitudinal section (3).