Shedding Machine Cooling via Shaft-Driven Impeller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shedding machines for weaving looms face challenges with heat management, as they often require bulky and expensive cooling systems driven by electric motors, which are not efficient and can be difficult to implement, especially when not equipped with a cooling system or when the cooling system lacks efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooling device driven by the shedding machine's drive shaft, featuring a centrifugal impeller with segmented sectors that assemble around the shaft, eliminating the need for a separate motor and transmission means, and integrating a heat exchanger for efficient heat transfer between the machine and circulated air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric motor-driven cooling system is used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system utilizes the existing drive shaft of the shedding machine to directly rotate the impeller, eliminating the need for a separate electric motor and control system. The machine's own mechanical energy serves the cooling function, achieving self-service and reducing system complexity while maintaining cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is merged with the existing mechanical structure of the shedding machine by using the drive shaft for dual purposes: both driving the shedding mechanism and rotating the impeller. This combines multiple functions into existing components, reducing overall system complexity and cost
2Temperature
If a traditional cooling system with motor and control is used, then cooling function is achieved, but installation difficulty and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor and control system are extracted from the cooling system, leaving only the impeller and housing that can be directly mounted on the existing drive shaft. This extraction simplifies installation by removing the most complex components while retaining the essential cooling function
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft serves multiple functions: it drives the shedding mechanism and simultaneously rotates the impeller for cooling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and control systems, making installation easier and reducing space requirements
3Temperature
If cooling system is added to shedding machine, then heat management is improved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system merges with the existing mechanical structure by using the drive shaft and frame components for dual purposes. The impeller is mounted directly on the drive shaft, and the housing integrates with the machine frame, eliminating the need for separate structural components and reducing overall weight
Solution Approach 2:
The existing drive shaft and mechanical energy of the shedding machine are used to power the cooling system, eliminating the need for additional motors and power transmission components that would increase weight. The system serves itself using already-available mechanical energy
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
The solution provides effective heat management with a lightweight, easy-to-install cooling system that enhances the operational efficiency and safety of shedding machines by utilizing the existing mechanical chain of the loom, reducing bulk and operational costs while ensuring continuous operation without the need for external power sources.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller, which is intended to be rotated by the shaft, which is arranged in the air circulation passage and which comprises fins capable of driving the circulation of air in the air circulation passage when the impeller is rotated by the shaft
Implementation Method 2
integrating a heat exchanger for efficient heat transfer between the machine and circulated air
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A cooling device (40) of a loom-forming machine, intended to be driven by a shaft (7) and comprising a cooling device body (61), which defines an air circulation passage (69), connecting an inlet passage (62) and an outlet passage (63) of the body (61), and an impeller (52), which is intended to be driven in rotation by the shaft, which is disposed in the air circulation passage and which includes fins (53).To obtain a device that is easy to implement, compact, safe and easy to install on a pre-existing loom, the impeller (52) is intended to be assembled on the shaft (7) and comprises several complementary sectors (56), each sector comprising at least one of the fins and a radial opening (58), through which the sector is intended to be mounted on the shaft, the radial opening being inscribed on a radial edge (59) of the sector over an opening width (L58) less than or equal to the diameter of the shaft.