Load Cell Yarn Weight Measurement in Textile Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Textile manufacturing operations face inaccuracies in measuring yarn weight due to temperature and humidity variations, leading to incorrect purchasing and waste, as length measurements do not account for these conditions.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a load cell positioned on a receiving surface, which measures the weight of yarn cones or bobbins during the manufacturing process, allowing for accurate weight tracking and minimizing user intervention by converting force into electrical output, and compensating for temperature effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If length measurement is used to estimate yarn weight, then productivity is improved by simplified measurement, but measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature and humidity variations affecting yarn length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidyarn weight measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical measurement system (length measurement) with a direct weight measurement system using load cells. This substitution eliminates the need to convert length to weight and removes the influence of temperature and humidity on measurement accuracy, as weight measurement is not affected by these environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If yarn length is measured without considering temperature and humidity, then ease of operation is improved by simplified measurement process, but loss of information occurs as environmental conditions affecting yarn density are not accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement simplicityVSAvoidyarn weight calculation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex calculation process (length × density estimation) with a direct weight measurement system. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while eliminating information loss, as the load cell directly measures weight without requiring density calculations that are sensitive to temperature and humidity variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If conventional weight estimation methods are used, then device complexity is minimized by avoiding additional measurement equipment, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inaccurate yarn weight determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement system simplicityVSAvoidyarn weight measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces load cells to replace conventional length-based estimation methods. Although this adds measurement equipment, it significantly improves manufacturing precision by providing accurate weight measurements. The system integrates the load cells into the existing textile manufacturing setup, maintaining reasonable device complexity while achieving superior measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides accurate weight measurements of yarn used, reducing waste and surplus by eliminating the need for converting length measurements to weight, and optimizing textile production by considering temperature and humidity conditions.

Implementation Method 1

allowing for accurate weight tracking and minimizing user intervention by converting force into electrical output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce to electrical output conversion: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3390986B1Weight measurement systems and methods for use in textile manufacturing operations
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 NIKE INNOVATE CV
  • EP3390986B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3390986B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3390986B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In one aspect, a method of measuring the weight of material used during a textile manufacturing process comprises positioning material used during the textile manufacturing process on a receiving surface associated with a load cell. A first weight of the material may be measured using the load cell. A textile manufacturing machine may be operated such that at least a portion of the material is used in the process, wherein the material remains disposed on the receiving surface during the process. A second weight of the material may be measured using the load cell.