Fluid Jet Loom Weft Insertion Control for Supply Abnormality Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiple-color fluid jet loom systems experience frequent stoppages due to weft supply abnormalities, such as thread breakage, leading to reduced operating rates and quality issues in fabric production.

Innovation Solution

A multiple-color weft inserting apparatus with at least three weft supply lines, where the weft-insertion controlling device groups supply lines and allows for flexible operation modes, excluding abnormal lines and continuing weft insertion using remaining lines, thereby minimizing loom stoppages and ensuring high-quality fabric production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a weft supply sensor detects a weft supply abnormality (such as thread breakage) in a multiple-color fluid jet loom, then the abnormality is detected and signaled, but the loom stops operation which reduces operating rate and produces weft bar defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweft supply abnormality detectionVSAvoidloom operating rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational state of weft supply lines from a binary (normal/abnormal) to a multi-state system where abnormal lines can be excluded while normal lines continue operation. The controlling device monitors the operational status of each line and dynamically adjusts which lines are active, allowing the loom to maintain productivity while detecting abnormalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The weft supply system is segmented into multiple independent supply lines, each capable of being operated or excluded independently. When an abnormality is detected in one line, only that specific line is excluded while other lines continue to supply weft, allowing the loom to maintain operation and avoid complete stoppage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple weft supply lines are used for different weft types in a multiple-color fluid jet loom, then different weft types can be inserted according to pattern, but frequent stoppages occur when abnormalities are detected in any line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple weft type insertion capabilityVSAvoidloom operating rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational status of individual weft supply lines based on real-time abnormality detection. The controlling device continuously monitors each line and dynamically excludes only the affected line while maintaining operation of normal lines, allowing the system to adapt to abnormalities without reducing overall productivity or versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the loom stops operation when a weft supply abnormality is detected, then fabric quality is maintained by avoiding weft bar defects, but operating rate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric qualityVSAvoidloom operating rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality control by excluding only the specific weft supply line with the abnormality while allowing other normal lines to continue operation. This localized response maintains fabric quality for the affected section while preserving overall productivity through continued operation of unaffected lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution reduces loom stoppages and enhances fabric quality by allowing continuous weft insertion using normal supply lines, even when abnormalities occur, and allows for adaptable operation modes to suit changing weaving conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Weft of each weft supply line is transported and inserted into a warp shed by fluid jetting from the corresponding weft insertion nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid jetting: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP1878820B1Multiple-color weft inserting apparatus of a fluid jet loom
Publication Date: 2012.06.27 TSUDAKOMA KOGYO KK
  • EP1878820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1878820B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1878820B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multiple-color weft inserting apparatus (60,70) of a fluid jet loom includes at least three weft supply lines (L), a weft-insertion controlling device (65,75). The controlling device (65,75) performs grouping of weft supply lines (L), and performs multiple-color weft insertion (60,70) in accordance with a predetermined weft-insertion pattern using the weft supply lines (L) in the group and at least one remaining weft supply line (L). The weft supply lines (L) in the group are where the weft of the same type is set. In the case where the controlling device (65,75) executes the insertion of the weft of the type corresponding to the group while the weft supply lines (L) in the group successively operate by turns, when the weft supply sensor (3) of any weft supply line (L) in the group detects a weft supply abnormality, the controlling device (65,75) excludes the any weft supply line (L) and continues the insertion of the weft of the type corresponding to the group using the other weft supply line or lines (L) in the group.