Running Thread Heater with Movable Inlet Guide Adapter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating devices for running threads in textile machines require extensive maintenance work due to wear and contamination of guide elements, necessitating frequent replacements that disrupt the thread guidance and increase operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

The heating device incorporates a movable inlet adapter that allows the inlet thread guide to switch between an operating position for guiding the thread and a maintenance position for replacing the guide element, ensuring reproducible thread paths and minimizing wear, with features like tension springs and centering mechanisms to stabilize thread guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the guide element is firmly fixed in the support tube, then thread guidance stability is improved, but maintenance complexity and time increase due to extensive disassembly requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread guidance stabilityVSAvoidguide element replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet adapter is segmented into a separate replaceable component that holds the inlet thread guide. This allows the inlet thread guide to be replaced by simply removing the inlet adapter, without disassembling the entire support tube structure. The segmentation enables independent maintenance of the guide element while preserving the stable support tube framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the inlet thread guide is fixed in the support tube, then thread path definition is improved, but maintenance time and operational disruption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread path definitionVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet adapter is designed as a movable component that can be quickly removed and reattached to the support tube. This dynamic design allows maintenance personnel to access and replace the inlet thread guide rapidly, minimizing operational disruption. The adapter includes positioning features that ensure rapid, accurate reattachment to maintain thread path definition without extensive adjustment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If the guide element is easily removable, then maintenance ease is improved, but thread guidance stability and reproducibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide element replaceabilityVSAvoidthread path consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet adapter serves as an intermediary component between the support tube and the inlet thread guide. It provides a standardized interface with positioning features (such as engagement protrusions and recesses) that ensure the adapter—and consequently the thread guide—returns to the exact same position after replacement. This intermediary structure enables easy replacement while guaranteeing reproducible thread path definition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates quick and safe maintenance by maintaining defined thread paths without disassembly, reducing wear, and ensuring stable thread guidance during operation, thus enhancing the usability and efficiency of the heating process.

Implementation Method 1

The support tube is heated externally by a heat transfer fluid. The support tube is designed to be heat-conductive and thus heats the insert or heating tube inside the support tube.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the inlet adapter is held in the operating position on the support tube by a tension spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3976868B1Heating device for heating a running thread
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 OERLIKON TEXTILE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3976868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3976868B1 patent drawingFigure 2.1
  • EP3976868B1 patent drawingFigure 2.2

AI summary

The invention relates to a heating device for heating a running thread, said heating device having a guide element in a heated support tube for guiding and heating the thread. In the process, the thread is guided by an inlet thread guide at a heating inlet and by an outlet thread guide at a heating outlet. According to the invention, the handling and in particular the exchange of the guide element is facilitated in that a movable inlet adapter selectively holds the inlet thread guide in an operating position for guiding the thread or in a maintenance position for exchanging the guide element at the heating inlet.