Microfiber Braiding Device with Biasing Members for Strand Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional braiding devices fail to effectively braid finer strands, such as microfibers, due to stress issues during the braiding process, which causes them to break.
Innovation Solution
A braiding device with movable carriers and shuttles that utilize biasing members to manage tension and movement between shelters, allowing for the precise interweaving of microfibers without breaking them, using a system of transfer stations and motors to control the braiding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional braiding devices are used to braid finer strands, then the device structure remains simple, but the strands break due to excessive stress during the braiding operation
Solution Approach 1:
The braiding device divides the force application into multiple independent biasing members, each associated with specific shuttles. This segmentation allows individual control of tension forces on different strands, preventing excessive stress concentration that would cause microfiber breakage while maintaining overall braiding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the force parameters by introducing biasing members that provide controlled retention forces. The biasing members adjust the tension parameters during braiding, maintaining forces within a range that prevents microfiber failure while still enabling effective braiding operation.
2Reliability
If biasing members are added to control shuttle movement and tension, then strand integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing members serve multiple functions: they provide retention force to hold shuttles, control tension on strands during braiding, and enable the braiding of microfibers. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering several critical functions through a single component type.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing members introduce dynamic force control to the braiding system. They allow the device to adapt tension levels during operation, transitioning from static conventional braiding to dynamic controlled braiding that responds to the specific needs of microfiber processing.
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
Enables the successful braiding of microfibers with diameters as small as 0.3 mm to 600 nm, maintaining tension without causing the strands to fail, and allowing for the creation of microbraids with conductive materials like nichrome, stainless steel, or carbon nanotubes.
Implementation Method 1
The mover includes a first biasing member configured to impart a first retention force onto the shuttle that biases the shuttle against the mover, and one of the first and second carriers includes a second biasing member configured to impart a second retention force that biases the shuttle into the corresponding shelter
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for fabricating microbraided structures is provided. A microbraiding device includes first and second carrier members that are movable with respect to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of shelters. Spool-less strands of microfiber are retained in shuttles that are movable between the first and second shelters under magnetic forces. The microbraid structure is fabricated as the shuttles move between the first shelters, and as the first carrier member moves relative to the second carrier member.