Weaving Loom Heddle Transverse Cavity Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heddle designs for weaving looms face issues with bulkiness, damage during assembly, and difficulty in ensuring proper glue distribution, leading to potential damage to neighboring threads.

Innovation Solution

A composite heddle design with a link and strands featuring a receiving cavity at the longitudinal end, allowing for minimal transverse bulk and optimized assembly, using a resin assembly member to secure the link and strand, and ensuring correct positioning and distribution of the resin for a strong and stable connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the link and strand are assembled using a longitudinal housing, then the parts can be engaged, but the positioning is delicate and damage can occur during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidpart damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from longitudinal engagement (EP-A-1 989 346) to transverse engagement. The receiving cavity opens in the transverse direction, allowing the first part to be inserted perpendicular to the main plane of the link. This dimensional change simplifies positioning and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving cavity is pre-formed in the second part with a bottom and transverse opening, allowing the first part to be inserted directly without delicate longitudinal positioning. The cavity geometry is designed in advance to guide and secure the first part, preventing damage during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If gluing is used for link/strand assembly, then the parts can be joined, but it is impossible to check the thickness of the glue joint and correct distribution of the glue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly methodVSAvoidglue joint quality control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving cavity acts as an intermediary structure that standardizes the glue application process. The cavity geometry provides defined surfaces for glue distribution, and the transverse opening allows visual or instrumental inspection of glue thickness and distribution before the first part is fully inserted and secured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the link is provided with two housings and four cavities for receiving strands, then the strands can be molded around the link, but significant bulk is induced in the transverse direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand integrationVSAvoidtransverse bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the orientation of the receiving cavity from longitudinal (CN-Y-201228305) to transverse. The cavity opens perpendicular to the main plane of the link, allowing the first part to be engaged in the transverse direction. This reduces the longitudinal bulk while maintaining the necessary connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If overmolding is used to form strands around the link, then the strands are integrated, but burrs are generated on the side faces of the strand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand formationVSAvoidburr generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the strand formation process from the link engagement process. Instead of overmolding strands directly around the link (which generates burrs), the strands are formed with pre-defined receiving cavities, and the link is engaged through these cavities. This extraction of the engagement function from the molding process eliminates burr generation on the strand side faces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Ease of manufacture

If the receiving cavity opens along the longitudinal axis, then the assembly can be made, but the bulk of the composite rail is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidcomposite rail bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the opening direction of the receiving cavity from longitudinal to transverse. The cavity opens perpendicular to the main plane of the link, allowing assembly in the transverse direction. This reduces the longitudinal bulk of the composite rail while maintaining full assembly capability, as the first part engages through the transverse opening rather than requiring longitudinal space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3009545B1Heddle for weaving loom and loom provided with such a heddle
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 STAUBLI LYON
  • EP3009545B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3009545B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3009545B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This warp thread guide heddle for a loom extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis (X4) and is formed by the assembly of a heddle body comprising at least one strand, and a link including a warp thread eye, and defining a principal plane (P). A first piece, between the strand and the link, is provided, before assembly, with an end portion. The second piece, between the strand and the link, is provided, before assembly, with a cavity (48) for receiving the end portion, formed at a longitudinal end (44) of this second piece. The receiving cavity (48) is provided with a bottom (51) and opens onto the exterior of the second piece, along a transverse axis (Z4) perpendicular to the principal plane (P).