Gripper Tube Flap and Thread Laying Hook for Wrap-Free Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thread laying devices in textile machines are prone to thread wrapping around the gripper tube or its flap, leading to unreliable thread grasping and potential machine malfunctions during thread breaks or bobbin changes.

Innovation Solution

A thread laying device with a gripper tube flap that adjusts between open and closed positions, featuring a thread laying hook and a thread guide element, where the hook protrudes beyond the flap's outer surface in the closed position and is flush or retracted in the open position, preventing wraps and ensuring reliable thread transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hook tube is positioned at a distance from the normal thread path to avoid interference during normal winding operation, then the risk of thread wrapping is reduced, but the protection against wrapping after thread break remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread transfer reliabilityVSAvoidthread wrapping
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thread laying hook is designed to move dynamically between two positions: retracted during normal operation and protruding during thread transfer. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational states, providing thread wrapping protection only when needed (after thread break) while avoiding interference during normal winding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The thread laying hook is positioned to protrude before the thread break occurs, creating a preliminary protective barrier. This preliminary action ensures that when a thread break happens, the hook is already in place to catch and guide the loose thread, preventing it from wrapping around the hook tube or flap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the thread laying hook protrudes beyond the gripper tube flap surface to effectively position threads, then thread transfer accuracy improves, but the risk of thread wrapping around the hook increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread positioning accuracyVSAvoidthread wrapping
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thread laying hook transitions between protruding and retracted states based on operational requirements. During thread transfer, it protrudes to provide accurate positioning. During normal operation, it retracts to eliminate the wrapping hazard. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing precision only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hook tube surface has non-uniform properties: the thread laying hook area protrudes when needed for precise thread manipulation, while the rest of the surface remains smooth and flush to prevent wrapping. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve both precise thread positioning and wrapping protection in different locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the gripper tube flap remains closed to secure thread clamping, then thread holding reliability improves, but thread wrapping around the flap increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread clamping reliabilityVSAvoidthread wrapping
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gripper tube flap dynamically adjusts its state based on the operational phase: closed during thread transfer to ensure reliable clamping, and open during normal operation to prevent wrapping. The thread laying hook coordinates with the flap movement, protruding only when the flap is closed and thread positioning is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device effectively prevents thread wrapping, ensuring secure thread transfer and reducing machine disruptions by automatically releasing any formed wraps, thereby enhancing operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a gripper tube (1) with a gripper tube mouth (8) that can be acted upon by suction air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4151577B1Thread-moving device for a thread-joining unit of a textile machine producing cross-wound bobbins
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 RIETER AUTOMATIC WINDER GMBH
  • EP4151577B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151577B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4151577B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a thread laying device (18) for a thread joining unit of a cross-wound textile machine, comprising a gripper tube (1) with a gripper tube opening (8) that can be acted upon with suction air, a gripper tube flap (2) arranged on the gripper tube (1) which is adjustable between an opening position releasing the gripper tube opening (8) and a closing position closing the gripper tube opening (8), and a thread laying hook (3) arranged in the area of ​​the gripper tube flap (2).In order to provide a thread laying device in which the probability of thread entanglement of the gripper tube or gripper tube flap is significantly reduced compared to thread laying devices known from the prior art, it is provided that the thread laying hook (3) is arranged such that in the closed position of the gripper tube flap (2) it protrudes beyond an outer surface of the gripper tube flap (2) and in the open position of the gripper tube flap (2) it is arranged at least flush with the outer surface or recessed from it.