Air Jet Loom Tensioning Structure for Reed Gap Fluff Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air jet loom tensioning devices allow fluff generated during weaving to accumulate in gaps between reed dents, which can interfere with the weaving process and affect fabric quality.

Innovation Solution

A tensioning device for an air jet loom that includes a passage defining portion with a protrusion widening gaps between reed dents, featuring an air exhaust port and a protrusion that contacts adjacent reed dents to enhance airflow and prevent fluff accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air is exhausted through the air release hole to tension the weft yarn, then the weft yarn tensioning effect is improved, but fluff accumulates in the gap above the air release hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweft yarn tensioning effectVSAvoidfluff accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent redirects the harmful airflow carrying fluff away from the air release hole area by tilting the upper stretch mechanism portion. The tilted structure causes the exhaust air to flow toward the rear end of the loom, converting the harmful effect of air discharge into a beneficial directional flow that prevents fluff accumulation while maintaining tensioning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by tilting the upper stretch mechanism portion at a specific angle relative to the horizontal plane. This dimensional change creates a three-dimensional airflow path that directs exhaust air away from the gap area, solving the fluff accumulation problem without compromising the two-dimensional tensioning function.

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

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the gap between reed dents is widened to prevent fluff accumulation, then fluff discharge is improved, but the structural integrity of the reed may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluff dischargeVSAvoidreed structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selectively widens only the specific gap above the air release hole by providing an extension pin on the reed, while maintaining the original gap dimensions elsewhere. This segmentation approach allows localized fluff discharge improvement without compromising the overall structural integrity of the reed assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the upper stretch mechanism portion is tilted to redirect airflow, then fluff accumulation is prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluff accumulation preventionVSAvoidmechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tilting function directly into the upper stretch mechanism portion structure itself, merging the airflow redirection capability with the existing tensioning components. This integration avoids adding separate complex mechanisms while achieving fluff accumulation prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device effectively suppresses fluff accumulation in gaps by widening them, maintaining fabric quality and reducing load on reed dents while ensuring easy insertion and alignment.

Implementation Method 1

configured to tension the weft yarn by injecting air into the weft yarn traveling passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatics: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The passage defining portion has a protrusion that comes in contact with at least one of adjacent two of the reed dents such that the protrusion widens one of the gaps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4567173B1Tensioning device for air jet loom
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP4567173B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4567173B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4567173B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tensioning device (30) for an air jet loom (100) that inserts a weft yarn (Y) along a weft yarn guide passage (10a) formed in a reed (10) formed of a plurality of reed dents (11) that are arranged with gaps (10b) in a weft insertion direction (W), includes a passage defining portion (31) that defines a weft yarn traveling passage (31a). The passage defining portion (31) has an upper surface (31c) and an air exhaust port (31d) facing at least one of the gaps (10b). The tensioning device (30) is configured to tension the weft yarn (Y). The passage defining portion (31) has a protrusion (50) that comes in contact with at least one of adjacent two of the reed dents (11) such that the protrusion (50) widens one of the gaps (10b) facing the air exhaust port (31d) and defining by the two adjacent reed dents.