Rotating Thread Guide Device for Warp Knitting Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing textile machines, particularly warp knitting machines, face limitations in the speed at which weft threads can be moved between reversal points, restricting the efficiency of thread feeding for stitch formation.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a pair of rotating elements with thread guides designed as driver wings, allowing for high-speed movement of weft threads back and forth in front of stitch-forming tools, enabling faster thread presentation and simplifying mechanical effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a thread guide is moved by an actuating cylinder between reversal points, then the thread can be fed to the knitting needles, but the speed of thread feeding is limited due to acceleration and deceleration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread feeding speedVSAvoidtime for acceleration and deceleration
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a stationary thread guide and moving the thread itself through rotational movement. The thread is fed from a spool through a rotating element that guides it back and forth, eliminating the need for a reciprocating thread guide and its associated acceleration/deceleration cycles. This allows continuous high-speed thread feeding.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic rotational movement to replace static or reciprocating mechanisms. The rotating element with thread guides creates continuous circular motion, transforming the thread feeding process from a stop-start reciprocating motion to a continuous dynamic motion, thereby eliminating acceleration and deceleration losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If a rotating rod with thread guide is used, then thread feeding speed can be increased, but the device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread feeding speedVSAvoidsynchronization mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the rotating element: it serves as both the drive mechanism and the thread guide. The thread guides are integrated directly onto the rotating element, eliminating the need for separate synchronization mechanisms between thread guides and holding elements. This merging simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it drives the thread back and forth, guides the thread through its integrated thread guides, and synchronizes thread delivery to holding elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the device while achieving high-speed thread feeding.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3645774B1Apparatus and method for presenting threads and textile machine
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 HOCHSCHULE NIEDERRHEIN
  • EP3645774B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3645774B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3645774B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for presenting threads for loop-forming tools, arranged in at least one row, of a textile machine having a thread guide apparatus having at least one rotary element (4, 5, 20, 21, 30, 31, 40, 41) having at least one thread guide (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b, 30a, 30b, 40a, 40b), said thread guide apparatus being configured to lay a thread back and forth in two directions (HI, HR) in each case in front of a row of the tools in an entire stroke range (BG). The thread guide apparatus has at least two rotary elements (4, 5) arranged as a pair, wherein the rotary elements (4, 5, 20, 21, 30, 31, 40, 41) of a pair are arranged eccentrically with respect to one another and one above another in the axial direction, and wherein the rotary elements (4, 5) of a pair are drivable in opposite directions of rotation (R1, R2). Each rotary element (4, 5, 20, 21, 30, 31, 40, 41) has at least one thread guide (4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 4b, 4c, 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b, 30a, 30b, 40a, 40b), configured as a driver element, for laying the thread in one of the directions (HI, HR).