Loom Weaving Visual Checking Elements into Tape

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing tapes with visual checking elements are inefficient, requiring additional steps and costly equipment, leading to increased production time and risk of entanglement or misalignment during the mounting of tie rods on armchairs, chairs, or seats.

Innovation Solution

A loom that integrates means for producing visual checking elements directly during the tape weaving process, using an electronic control system to weave patterns and store sequences, allowing for precise and economical production of tapes with embedded checking elements that remain flush with the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If visual checking elements are added after tape production through handmade cuts or laser, then precise positioning of tie rods is enabled, but production time increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The visual checking elements are incorporated into the tape structure during the initial weaving process rather than being added later. The loom weaves the tape with integrated checking elements that are formed as part of the fabric structure itself, eliminating the need for subsequent cutting or processing steps to create positioning markers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The visual checking elements are merged with the tape fabric structure itself. Instead of being separate elements added afterward, the checking elements are woven into the tape as an integral part of the fabric, combining the tape production and checking element creation into a single manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If laser cutting is used to create visual checking elements on multiple parallel production lines, then positioning precision is improved, but equipment cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidequipment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loom itself performs the function of creating visual checking elements without requiring external laser cutting equipment. The weaving mechanism of the loom directly produces the checking elements as part of the tape fabrication process, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional expensive equipment on each production line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for laser cutting technology with a mechanical weaving solution. Instead of using laser beams to cut or mark the tape, the loom uses its mechanical weaving action to create the visual checking elements through the fabric structure itself, substituting a simpler mechanical process for a more complex optical one.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If floating filaments are used as visual checking elements, then tape production is simplified, but the filaments can get entangled and damage the tape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidtape integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The visual checking elements are created with specific local properties that distinguish them from the rest of the tape fabric. By forming these elements through the weaving process with different structural characteristics (such as variations in thread arrangement or density), they provide visual checking functionality while maintaining tape integrity and avoiding entanglement issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If checking filaments match the tape color, then aesthetic homogeneity is maintained, but positioning accuracy becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic homogeneityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The visual checking elements are created with color differences from the main tape fabric. Through the weaving process, threads of different colors are incorporated to form checking elements that provide visual contrast, enabling clear positioning indicators while maintaining the overall aesthetic appearance of the tape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2228472B1Loom for the production of a tape with visual checking elements and associated tape
Publication Date: 2016.03.02 FILMAR
  • EP2228472B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A loom (10) for the production of a tape (1, 1) with visual checking elements (2, 2) along the periphery of said tape (1, 1); the loom (10) comprising a station for the formation of the fabric (12); in correspondence to the station for the formation of the fabric (12) are present means (13) for the creation of said checking elements (2, 2) at predetermined distances; the means being configured so as to create checking elements substantially not protruding out of the surface of the tape (1, 1'). A tape (1, 1') comprising a plurality of visual checking elements (2, 2') that are realized in a unique productive phase by a loom (10) the visual checking elements (2, 2') are configured so as to not protrude out of the surface of the tape (1, 1').