Jacquard Thread-Guide Bar Removable Piezoelectric Actuators

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing jacquard thread-guide bars for warp knitting machines using piezoelectric actuators are costly and complex to maintain, requiring replacement of entire modules when a single actuator fails, leading to high downtime and maintenance costs due to manufacturing tolerances and the need for specialized personnel.

Innovation Solution

A jacquard thread-guide bar design with removable and interchangeable piezoelectric actuators housed in predefined seats on a supporting body, allowing for easy replacement and alignment without damaging other actuators, using a blocking element to facilitate quick swapping and a connection device for secure electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If piezoelectric actuators are used in jacquard thread-guide bars, then the speed and flexibility of thread-guide shifting is improved, but the cost and complexity of maintenance increases due to module replacement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread-guide shifting speedVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bar is divided into multiple housing seats, each capable of independently receiving and holding individual piezoelectric actuators. This segmentation allows each actuator to be replaced independently rather than replacing entire modules, reducing maintenance complexity while preserving the high-speed shifting capability of piezoelectric actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If entire modules are replaced when a single actuator fails, then reliability is maintained, but downtime and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The failed piezoelectric actuator is extracted and removed from the bar while the remaining actuators stay in place. The housing seats and blocking elements enable the defective actuator to be individually removed and replaced without affecting other actuators, thus maintaining system reliability while minimizing downtime by avoiding replacement of functioning components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If specialized personnel are required for actuator replacement, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator alignment precisionVSAvoidreplacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing seats with blocking elements create a self-aligning mechanism that guides the piezoelectric actuators into correct positions during insertion. The blocking elements automatically engage with the actuators to maintain precise alignment without requiring specialized tools or expertise, enabling non-specialized personnel to perform replacements accurately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If modules are stiffly connected to wires by welding, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to complex replacement procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidactuator replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection system is made dynamic and adaptable through the removable actuator design. While the internal welding within each actuator remains stiff and reliable, the entire actuator can be quickly removed and replaced as a unit. The housing seat mechanism allows for dynamic reconfiguration of actuators without requiring complex disassembly of electrical connections, balancing connection reliability with repair ease.

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

This design simplifies and reduces the cost of replacing individual actuators, decreases downtime, and lowers spare stock requirements, enabling non-specialized personnel to perform replacements accurately and efficiently, thus reducing overall maintenance and management costs.

Implementation Method 1

one making use of piezoelectric or piezoceramic elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2535447B1Jacquard thread-guide bar for warp knitting textile machines
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 KARL MAYER TEXTILMASCHFAB GMBH
  • EP2535447B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2535447B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2535447B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A jacquard thread-guide bar (2) for warp knitting textile machines, comprising a supporting body (7) provided with a plurality of housing seats (5) configured and arranged so as to engage each removably a mounting body (6) of a single piezoelectric actuator (3) and to carry out an individual removable mounting of the single piezoelectric actuator (3) onto said supporting body (7), the housing seats (5) extending perpendicularly to the main longitudinal extension of the bar (2) and being configured and arranged so as to guide the sliding of the mounting body (6) between a mounting position and a disengaged position.