Planetary Eyelet Thread Guide for High-Speed Warp Knitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for presenting threads in warp knitting machines are expensive, require significant space, and have limited working speed, making them inefficient for modern textile applications such as sports textiles that require reinforcement or special properties.

Innovation Solution

A thread guide device with an eyelet structure that rotates planetary and a traversing disk, designed to move the thread back and forth over a lifting range, minimizing thread breakage and wear, and allowing for high-speed operation with a compact and inexpensive design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a thread guide is guided on a circular track with a rotating rod, then the thread can be fed to the knitting needles, but the speed is limited due to acceleration and deceleration between reversal points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread guide speedVSAvoidthread guide operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the thread guide back and forth on a circular track with reversal points, the invention inverts the approach by using a reciprocating rod that moves linearly between two positions. The thread guide is attached to this rod, eliminating the need for reversal points and allowing higher speeds without acceleration and deceleration limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the circular track mechanical system with a linear reciprocating rod system. This substitution eliminates the complex reversal mechanism and allows for higher operating speeds while maintaining reliable thread feeding to the knitting needles.

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

2Ease of operation

If additional storage elements and holding elements are arranged for thread management, then thread positioning is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread positioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex storage elements and multiple holding elements from the thread management system. By using a simplified reciprocating rod with a single thread guide, the device achieves adequate thread positioning without the additional components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The reciprocating rod serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the thread, positions it accurately, and eliminates the need for separate storage and holding elements. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

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

3Productivity

If conventional thread feeding devices are used, then thread can be fed to knitting needles, but the device requires significant space and has limited working speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking speedVSAvoiddevice space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional circular track approach by using a linear reciprocating motion system. This inversion allows for higher working speeds up to 1500 meters per minute while requiring significantly less space, as the linear path is more compact than a circular track with reversal points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If the thread guide is moved by an actuating cylinder between reversal points, then the thread can be positioned, but the acceleration and deceleration limit the maximum speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread guide controlVSAvoidthread guide maximum speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the reversal points and associated actuating cylinder limitations. By using a reciprocating rod with direct linear motion, the system maintains easy thread guide control without the speed-limiting acceleration and deceleration phases required by circular track systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3841239B1Device and method for feeding a thread
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 HOCHSCHULE NIEDERRHEIN
  • EP3841239B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3841239B1 patent drawingFigure 2a)~2c)

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for feeding a thread for loop-forming tools, arranged in at least one row, of a textile machine, having a thread guiding device (4) comprising a rotary element (5) and a thread guide (6), wherein the thread guiding device (4) is configured to move a weft thread (2) to and fro in two opposite directions (Hl, HR) in a stroke range (B) in each case in front of the row of tools. The thread guiding device is intended to create a device for feeding a thread over a partial width of a knitted web, wherein the device has a compact structure and allows a high working speed. This is achieved in that the thread guiding device (4) has an eyelet structure (5), which is drivable in a planetary manner about an axis of rotation (R), as rotary element and has a traversing disc (6), configured as the thread guide, which is arranged downstream of the eyelet structure (5) in a thread running direction (FR).