Adjustable Loom Shaft Support for Vibration Resonance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In looms with rotary shafts having hollow main body parts and solid shaft parts, vibrations lead to resonance phenomena, causing damage due to intense vibrations, as the existing shaft support devices with gaps between slide bearings and rotary shafts fail to effectively manage natural frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A bearing structure with rolling bearings externally fitted to the solid shaft parts of the rotary shaft, allowing for adjustable positioning between the side frames to match or mismatch the natural frequency of the system with the resonance frequency, thereby preventing resonance and reducing vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a hollow pipe-shaped main body part is used for weight saving, then the weight of the rotary shaft is reduced, but the structural strength and vibration resistance are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of rotary shaftVSAvoidstructural strength and vibration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary shaft is segmented into three parts: solid shaft parts at both ends and a hollow pipe-shaped main body part in the middle. This segmentation allows the shaft to have different structural characteristics in different regions, combining the strength of solid shafts with the weight savings of hollow structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the rotary shaft have different structural qualities - the end shaft parts are solid to provide strong support points for bearings, while the main body part is hollow to reduce weight. This local differentiation optimizes both strength and weight characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If a shaft support device with slide bearing is provided at intermediate position, then the vibration suppression is improved, but the gap between bearing and rotary shaft causes resonance phenomenon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration suppressionVSAvoidresonance prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slide bearing is replaced with a rolling bearing in the shaft support device. This substitution changes the mechanical interaction from sliding contact with gaps to rolling contact with minimal clearance, eliminating the resonance problem while maintaining vibration suppression functionality.

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

3Reliability

If the bearing structure position is adjusted to mismatch natural frequency with resonance frequency, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonance avoidanceVSAvoidadjustable bearing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing structure is made adjustable in position along the rotary shaft, allowing dynamic adaptation of the support system. This enables tuning of the natural frequency to avoid resonance conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized components.

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

The solution effectively suppresses vibrations and prevents damage to the rotary shaft and bearings by adjusting the bearing structure's position to avoid resonance, ensuring stable operation during weaving.

Implementation Method 1

A bearing structure with rolling bearings externally fitted to the solid shaft parts of the rotary shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP4163429B1loom
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 TSUDAKOMA KOGYO KK
  • EP4163429B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4163429B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4163429B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A loom (1) includes a rotary shaft (5) bridged to a pair of side frames (3, 3) with being supported via bearings (9) each provided in corresponding one of the side frames (3, 3), the rotary shaft (5) includes: solid shaft-shaped shaft parts (5a, 5c) supported by corresponding one of the side frames (3, 3); and a hollow pipe-shaped main body part (5b) located between the shaft parts (5a, 5c). The loom (1) includes a bearing structure (20) provided in at least one of existence ranges of the shaft parts (5a, 5c) between the side frames (3, 3) with respect to an axis line direction of the rotary shaft (5). The bearing structure (20) includes: a rolling bearing (21) into which one of the shaft parts (5a, 5c) is fitted; and a support body (22) configured to support the rolling bearing (21).