Loom Heddle Eyelet Attachment via Interlocking Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weaving loom heddle manufacturing methods face challenges in securely attaching oblong eyelets to filiform elements without complex machining, leading to potential warp thread snagging and high glue consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the creation of projecting tabs on the edge of the eyelet and opening, allowing for a staggered arrangement that facilitates secure attachment without a continuous peripheral groove, enabling adaptation to the geometry of the opening and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a continuous peripheral groove is formed on the eyelet to secure it in the opening, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous peripheral groove is segmented into multiple discrete projecting tabs arranged around the perimeter of the eyelet. These tabs are formed by localized stamping or forging operations rather than requiring a continuous machining groove, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining secure attachment capability through multiple engagement points with the filiform element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of machining a groove along the entire perimeter of the eyelet, the invention applies local deformation (stamping or forging) at specific discrete locations to create projecting tabs. This localized approach reduces manufacturing complexity and tooling requirements while achieving the same retention function through distributed engagement points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If an oblong eyelet is used to match the opening geometry, then the adaptability to the opening shape is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases due to the inability to form grooves easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to opening geometryVSAvoidease of forming groove

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forming a groove in the oblong eyelet to receive the filiform element, the invention inverts the approach by forming projecting tabs that actively engage with the filiform element. This reversal of the engagement mechanism makes manufacturing feasible for oblong shapes, as tabs can be created by stamping or forging the eyelet perimeter rather than requiring difficult groove machining

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If the eyelet thickness is greater than the filiform element thickness, then the structural strength is improved, but the risk of warp thread snagging increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidwarp thread snagging risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The eyelet is designed with varying local thickness: the central orifice area maintains sufficient thickness for structural strength, while the peripheral regions where projecting tabs are formed have localized thickness variations that create engagement features. This local quality variation allows the eyelet to be slightly thicker than the filiform element overall without creating continuous snagging surfaces, as the tabs provide discrete engagement points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If complex machining is used to form the groove, then the attachment precision is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical machining operations with stamping or forging processes to form the projecting tabs. These forming operations can be integrated into high-speed production lines and achieve sufficient precision for secure attachment without the time-consuming nature of traditional groove machining, thereby improving manufacturing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP1767676B1Method of producing a heddle, heddle of a shed forming device and loom incorporating such a heddle

Publication Date: 2017.05.17 STAUBLI LYON

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AI summary

In the production of a loom rail by forming a guiding eyelet (9) for a warp thread, forming a receiving opening (84) in a filiform element and placing and fixing the eyelet in the opening, (i) at least two relatively displaced (d) projecting flanges (95) are formed along the length of one side (85, 94) of and perpendicular to the main faces (92) of the eyelet or opening and (ii) the flanges are interlocked (F 3) with part (85a) of the edge (85) of other of the eyelet or opening. Independent claims are included for: (1) a rail for the shed forming mechanism of a loom, comprising a filiform element (81) having an opening (84) in which an eyelet (9) is mounted, which has been produced as above; and (2) a loom equipped with a shed forming mechanism including at least one rail as above.