Loom Leveling Device Using Eccentric Slider for Low-Power Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leveling devices for looms require powerful actuators and suffer from issues such as jerking motion, which can be detrimental to the loom's mechanics, and face challenges in sealing and layout, especially when transitioning between weaving and leveling configurations.

Innovation Solution

A leveling device with an eccentric member secured to the shaft of the levers, a slider movable along a fixed axis, and leveling rods that pivot on the eccentric member and a shoe hinge, allowing for the use of a low-power electric motor and reducing the power required for leveling by leveraging torque transmission through a connecting rod, while maintaining motor axis stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a traditional leveling device with a connecting rod-crank system is used, then the shaft of the levers can be moved between weaving and leveling configurations, but a powerful motor is required and the motor oscillates within the frame causing sealing problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor powerVSAvoidmotor positioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fixed motor positioned outside the frame that acts as an intermediary to drive the leveling mechanism. The motor is coupled to the shaft of the levers through a transmission mechanism (gears or belts) to provide rotational motion without the motor itself oscillating within the frame, thereby solving the sealing problem while reducing the power required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the motor oscillate within the frame to directly move the shaft between configurations, the invention inverts the approach by using a fixed motor outside the frame that rotates continuously or in fixed positions, transmitting motion through a mechanism that achieves the configuration changes. This reverses the traditional arrangement and eliminates the motor oscillation issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a leveling device with an eccentric integral with the shaft of the levers is used, then the shaft can be moved between configurations, but the actuator is highly stressed and requires great effort causing jerking motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleveling operation smoothnessVSAvoidactuator force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fixed motor positioned outside the frame as an intermediary to drive the leveling mechanism. The motor is coupled to the shaft of the levers through a transmission mechanism (gears or belts) to provide rotational motion without the motor itself oscillating within the frame, thereby solving the sealing problem while reducing the power required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the motor oscillate within the frame to directly move the shaft between configurations, the invention inverts the approach by using a fixed motor outside the frame that rotates continuously or in fixed positions, transmitting motion through a mechanism that achieves the configuration changes. This reverses the traditional arrangement and eliminates the motor oscillation issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of repair

If a traditional leveling device is used, then the shaft of the levers can be moved between configurations, but the device size is large and difficult to access for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidleveling device volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the motor from the internal frame structure and positions it outside the frame. This extraction reduces the volume occupied within the loom frame and makes the motor easily accessible for maintenance operations without requiring disassembly of internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention moves the motor from the internal two-dimensional plane of the frame to an external position in three-dimensional space around the frame. This dimensional relocation allows the motor to be positioned in an accessible location outside the compact frame structure, improving maintenance accessibility while reducing internal volume requirements.

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

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 solution enables the use of a low-power motor, reduces the power required for leveling by half, preserves motor axis stability, and provides a compact, easily accessible design that minimizes mechanical stress and improves maintenance accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

an eccentric leveling member secured to the shaft of the levers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

the engine torque transmission forces to the leveling lever are multiplied by the use of a connecting rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque transmission: Torque

Implementation Method 3

a slider movable in translation along a fixed axis between a first position corresponding to the weaving configuration and a second position corresponding to the leveling configuration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear translation: Displacement

Data Source

PatentEP3162932B1Shedding mechanism comprising a level adjustment device and weaving machine including said mechanism
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 STAUBLI FAVERGES SA
  • EP3162932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162932B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3162932B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Weave mechanism (1) for a loom equipped with a leveling device (8) for a plurality of oscillating levers (26), the oscillating levers being provided with follower rollers (42) and mounted on a lever shaft (28), the lever shaft being movable between a weaving configuration, where the follower rollers of the oscillating levers bear against cams (18) of the weave mechanism, and a leveling configuration, where the follower rollers of the oscillating levers are moved away from the cams of the weave mechanism. The leveling device includes an eccentric leveling member fixed to the lever shaft.the armor mechanism further includes a slider movable in translation along a fixed axis (X66) between a first position corresponding to the weaving configuration of the shaft (28) of the levers (26) and a second position corresponding to the leveling configuration of the shaft of the levers, and at least one leveling rod (60) having a first end (84) pivotally mounted on the eccentric leveling member about an axis (X84) of the rod parallel to the central axis (X28) of the shaft of the levers and a second end (86) pivotally mounted on the slide about an axis (X86) of articulation of the slide parallel to the axis of the shaft of the levers.