Shed Forming Machine Dual Sealing Barriers Lint Oil Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shed-forming machines in the weaving industry face challenges in maintaining tightness against external pollution and oil leaks, as textile fluff and oil mist interact, leading to capillary oil attraction and operational issues.

Innovation Solution

A shed-forming machine with two remote sealing barriers, one external and one internal, each extending over the entire periphery of the cover except at the outlet opening, creating an intermediate chamber to prevent contact between external pollution and internal oil mist, thereby avoiding oil leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single sealing barrier is used between the hood and frame, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but lint from outside contacts oil inside the machine causing capillary action and oil leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single sealing barrier is divided into two separate sealing barriers (first sealing barrier between hood and frame, second sealing barrier within the hood). This segmentation prevents lint from contacting oil by creating an intermediate chamber, thereby eliminating capillary action while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular seal installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate chamber is introduced between the two sealing barriers to act as a mediator. This chamber separates external lint from internal oil, preventing direct contact and capillary action. The intermediate chamber serves as a buffer zone that maintains sealing effectiveness without requiring complex multi-layer seals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If seals extend to the upper end of the frame to prevent external pollution, then protection against lint is improved, but oil spray and capillary action increase causing fabric soiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against lintVSAvoidoil spray and leaks
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into two barriers with an intermediate chamber between them. The first seal prevents lint entry while the second seal contains oil, and the intermediate chamber prevents lint-oil contact. This segmentation allows each seal to address specific harmful factors without causing the other problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate chamber acts as an intermediary space that physically separates lint from oil. By extending the sealing barriers to the upper end of the frame while maintaining this intermediate separation, the system protects against lint without allowing lint to contact and draw oil through capillary action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If internal deflectors or covers are fitted to limit oil spray, then oil containment is improved, but the sealing against external pollution remains vulnerable to lint-oil contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil spray containmentVSAvoidlint contact with oil
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate chamber serves as a mediator that prevents lint from reaching the oil, eliminating the need for internal deflectors to contain oil spray. The dual sealing barriers create a controlled environment where oil is contained without requiring additional internal covers, as the intermediate chamber already prevents lint-oil interaction

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

The solution effectively prevents oil leaks and external pollution, ensuring the cleanliness of the fabric and maintaining the oil level within the machine, enhancing the overall operational reliability of the weaving process.

Implementation Method 1

lint sometimes comes into contact with the oil. The lint then draws the oil from the frame's tank by capillary action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3272918B1Shed forming machine and loom including such a machine
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 STAUBLI FAVERGES SA
  • EP3272918B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3272918B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3272918B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This swarm forming machine, of the dobby or cam-driven type, for a loom includes output levers animated, during weaving, by an alternating oscillating motion around a common shaft, a hood (12) with an output opening through which the levers pass, and a frame (6) which, together with the hood (12), defines an internal volume (V) of the machine, comprising a receiving area for torque transmission elements between a drive shaft and an actuating shaft for the output levers, and a receiving area for the output levers, this receiving area being adjacent to the receiving area for the torque transmission elements, while the frame (6) supports the actuating shaft.The hood (12) and the frame (6) are in sealed contact, via at least one sealing gasket (16, 18), at the level of two sealing barriers (B1,B2) respectively external (16) and internal (18) spaced apart, the two sealing barriers each extending over the entire periphery of the hood (12) except at the outlet opening.