Movable Thread Eyelet for Low-Stress Threading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thread feeding devices require skill to thread and often result in high thread stress and wear, especially at the thread brake, entry sensor, and entry eyelet, which can lead to thread damage and inefficiencies, particularly when handling thin threads.

Innovation Solution

A thread feeding device with a combined movably mounted thread feeler lever and inlet eyelet that forms a single element, reducing friction and allowing for low thread tension, and a sensor system to detect thread breakage, ensuring controlled thread guidance and minimizing wear by pivoting independently of the thread feed wheel's rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional thread feeding devices use fixed thread guide eyelets and entry sensors, then the structure is simple, but threading requires skill and causes high thread stress and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreading easeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the thread guide eyelet and entry sensor movable rather than fixed. The eyelet can move along a guide path and the sensor can pivot, allowing them to adapt to thread position variations and reduce threading difficulty without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable eyelet and sensor system performs self-adjustment based on thread tension and position. The eyelet automatically moves to maintain proper thread guidance, and the sensor pivots to detect thread breakage, eliminating the need for manual threading adjustments and reducing operational skill requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If conventional devices use separate thread feeler lever and entry eyelet, then each component is simple, but friction and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread wearVSAvoidcomponent integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the thread feeler lever and entry eyelet into a single integrated component. This combination eliminates the friction and wear that would occur with separate components, as the integrated design has fewer contact points and reduces the number of times the thread must pass through different elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the thread, detects thread presence through tension, and senses thread breakage. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed and minimizes the cumulative friction and wear that would result from multiple separate elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If high thread tension is used in conventional devices, then thread guidance is controlled, but thread damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread guidance precisionVSAvoidthread strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The movable eyelet and sensor system maintains precise thread guidance through dynamic adjustment rather than high tension. The eyelet can shift position to accommodate thread variations, and the sensor pivots to detect breakage, providing precise control without requiring excessive thread tension that would damage the thread.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters from high tension to low tension by using mechanical adaptability (movable eyelet and pivoting sensor) to maintain thread guidance precision. This parameter change allows thin threads to be handled without damage while still achieving controlled guidance through the movable components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If thin threads are used, then productivity increases, but thread breakage detection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread feeding efficiencyVSAvoidthread breakage detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting sensor system provides self-service detection by automatically pivoting to detect thread breakage through tension changes. This mechanical sensing mechanism is highly sensitive to even minor tension variations caused by thin thread breakage, enabling reliable detection without requiring complex electronic sensors or high tension conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electronic detection systems with a simple mechanical pivoting sensor that detects thread breakage through physical tension changes. This mechanical approach is particularly effective for thin threads, as it directly senses the tension variations caused by breakage without requiring the thread to be under high tension or use complex sensing mechanisms.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2027318B1Positive feedwheel system with movable thread eye
Publication Date: 2013.02.13 MEMMINGER IRO GMBH
  • EP2027318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2027318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2027318B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The thread delivery device (5) according to the invention has a thread eye which serves as a broken thread sensor. This is made possible in that the thread eye is movably mounted, performing the function which consists of guiding the thread (15) in a controlled fashion to the thread intake area (16) from all of the positions that the thread sensor can assume. Preferably, the thread guiding thread eye is the only element between the thread brake and the thread feed wheel that touches the thread. The thread guiding thread eye is positioned to be accessible at the front side of the thread delivery device. The thread can be mounted with one hand.