Air Jet Loom Weft Yarn Tensioning Device Shielding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In air jet looms, existing weft yarn tensioning devices face issues with maintaining consistent tension, leading to yarn loosening and improper introduction into the weft yarn travel passage due to air leakage and vibration, which affects the quality of woven fabrics.

Innovation Solution

A weft yarn tensioning device is positioned near the leading end of the weft yarn guide passage, equipped with a passage forming member, air discharge portion, and a shielding member that covers dent gaps between dents, preventing air leakage and vibration, ensuring smooth yarn introduction and tension application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If air is discharged from the air blow nozzle to introduce the weft yarn into the weft yarn travel passage, then the weft yarn can be introduced into the passage, but air leaks through the dent gaps causing the yarn to contact the passage surrounding the yarn inlet and fail to be introduced smoothly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth introduction of weft yarnVSAvoidair leakage through dent gaps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A shielding member is introduced as an intermediary component to cover the dent gaps in the reed. This shielding member prevents air from leaking through the gaps while allowing the weft yarn to pass through the weft yarn guide passage smoothly, thus resolving the contradiction between air discharge function and air leakage prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the weft yarn travels along the flow of discharged air near the rear side of the reed, then the yarn can be transported, but the yarn contacts the weft yarn travel passage surrounding the yarn inlet and fails to be introduced smoothly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweft yarn transport speedVSAvoidreliability of yarn introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member acts as a mediator that guides the air flow and weft yarn together. It prevents the yarn from deviating toward the passage surrounding the yarn inlet while maintaining the air jet's transporting capability, thus ensuring both speed and reliability of yarn introduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If existing weft yarn tensioning devices are used, then tension can be applied to the weft yarn, but air leakage and vibration cause inconsistent tension and improper yarn introduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweft yarn tensionVSAvoidconsistency of yarn tension

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member converts the potentially harmful air leakage through dent gaps into a beneficial controlled air flow. By directing the air flow through the shielding member's openings, the system maintains consistent tension on the weft yarn while preventing the harmful effects of uncontrolled air leakage and vibration

Inventive Principle:

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

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 air leakage and vibration, ensuring the weft yarn is smoothly introduced into the tensioning device, maintaining consistent tension and improving fabric quality without increasing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

an air discharge portion from which air is discharged to the weft yarn travel passage so that the leading end of the weft yarn is caught inside the passage forming member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

a shielding member covering a dent gap formed between the dents adjacent to each other in the weft insertion direction, from a rear surface side of the dents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4261332A1Air jet loom with weft yarn tensioning device

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6

AI summary

A weft yarn tensioning device (40) for an air jet loom (10) includes: a passage forming member (41); an air discharge portion (42); and a shielding member (46) covering a dent gap (S) formed between dents (15) adjacent to each other in a weft insertion direction (X), from a rear surface side of dents (15). In a front view of the air jet loom (10), the shielding member (46) covers at least a part of the dent gap (S) in which a warp yarn (52) is not inserted among dent gaps (S) existing from a downstream side of a weft yarn detection device (20) in the weft insertion direction (X) and from an upstream side of a yarn inlet (44a) of a weft yarn travel passage (44) in the weft insertion direction (X) to the yarn inlet (44a), from the rear surface side of the dents (15).