Shedding Machine Lubrication System Frame Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shedding machines for weaving looms face issues with lubrication systems, including leaks, complex assembly, and maintenance difficulties due to the use of flexible hoses and limited adaptability, which affect the machine's reliability, compactness, and ease of maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A shedding machine with a lubrication system that integrates a pump directly connected to the frame, eliminating the need for flexible pipes, and featuring a trochoid-type pump with inversion means and a distribution system within the common shaft, along with a detection probe and filtering system, to ensure efficient lubricant circulation and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flexible hoses are used to conduct lubricant to the shaft, then the lubrication system can be assembled, but the machine becomes complex and prone to leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication system reliabilityVSAvoidlubrication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lubrication system components by integrating the pump directly into the frame structure and combining rigid conduits with the frame, eliminating the need for separate flexible hoses. The pump body is mounted directly to the frame, and rigid conduits are integrated into the frame structure, creating a unified, leak-free lubrication system that reduces complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of repair

If flexible hoses are used for lubricant distribution, then the system can be assembled, but maintenance operations become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidlubrication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lubrication system with the frame structure using rigid conduits integrated into the frame, eliminating flexible hoses that complicate maintenance. The pump is directly mounted to the frame, and all lubrication components are positioned for easy access, making maintenance operations straightforward while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If a pump with rigid conduits is used, then the machine becomes more compact, but adaptability to different loom configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine compactnessVSAvoidloom configuration adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an inversion mechanism that allows the pump and associated components to be repositioned or reconfigured based on different loom requirements. The rigid conduits are designed to accommodate positional adjustments, and the pump mounting system allows for reconfiguration, maintaining compactness while providing adaptability to various loom configurations through controlled dynamic adjustment rather than fixed rigid installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the pump is connected to the frame with rigid conduits, then leaks are reduced, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication system reliabilityVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pump mounting system with the frame structure, integrating the rigid conduits directly into the frame design. This combination eliminates the need for separate connection components and simplifies the assembly process, while the rigid conduit integration ensures leak-free operation. The unified design reduces the number of assembly steps and improves both manufacturability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution reduces the risk of leaks, simplifies assembly and maintenance, enhances machine compactness, and improves adaptability, resulting in a more reliable and user-friendly shedding machine.

Implementation Method 1

a pump for circulating the lubricant within the lubricant circuit, this pump comprising a pump body and at least one pumping member movable in the pump body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

Lubrication reduces friction of moving mechanical parts, evacuates the heat created by friction and captures metal particles as well as any debris from contact areas generated in the machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

Lubrication reduces friction of moving mechanical parts, evacuates the heat created by friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat evacuation: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3162935B1Shedding machine and weaving loom comprising such a shedding machine
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 STAUBLI FAVERGES SA
  • EP3162935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162935B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3162935B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This crowd-forming machine (2) includes a lubrication system, which includes a lubricant circuit (C2) and a lubricant circulation pump (72) comprising a pump body (74) having a suction channel (78) connected to a primary conduit (178) of the lubricant circuit and a lubricant discharge channel (80), which is connected to a secondary conduit (138) of the lubricant circuit formed in the frame (6). The suction channel (78) is opposite and opens onto the primary conduit (178), which is formed in the frame, and the discharge channel (80) is opposite and opens onto the secondary conduit (138).