Spindle Thread Clamping Device with Centrifugal Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thread clamping devices for spinning machines are complex, prone to contamination, and have a short service life due to their sensitivity to centrifugal force elements and difficulty in preventing thread residue penetration, leading to impaired functionality.

Innovation Solution

A thread clamping device with a stationary first clamping element and an axially displaceable second clamping element, utilizing a spring element with centrifugal force elements that pivot into receptacles at low spindle speeds to ensure secure clamping and deform to open the device at higher speeds, minimizing contamination and ensuring reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional thread clamping devices use movable balls or cage springs as centrifugal elements, then the device can release threads at high speeds, but the device becomes complex and prone to contamination from thread residues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex movable ball mechanism and cage spring structure from the centrifugal element. Instead, it uses a simple conical surface that interacts with the spindle's rotation to achieve the same thread release function, thereby simplifying the device structure and eliminating contamination risks from movable parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces durable but complex mechanical components (movable balls, cage springs) with a simpler, maintenance-free conical surface design. This disposable-like simplicity ensures the device remains functional without requiring cleaning or maintenance, effectively treating the complex components as replaceable items that are now eliminated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If thread clamping devices use movable balls subject to centrifugal force, then threads can be released at high speeds, but thread residues penetrate and block the balls impairing functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread release functionVSAvoidcontamination sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful centrifugal force that causes thread residue accumulation into a beneficial interaction between the conical surface and the rotating spindle. The conical surface utilizes the spindle's rotation to automatically push threads away during high-speed operation, transforming the previously harmful rotational effect into a useful thread-clearing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The conical surface acts as an intermediary between the spindle rotation and thread release. Instead of directly using movable balls that get blocked by thread residues, the conical surface mediates the interaction, translating spindle rotation into effective thread pushing without requiring movable parts that can be contaminated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the thread clamping device uses a complex mechanism with movable parts, then it can achieve thread clamping and release, but the service life is reduced due to contamination and malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping and release functionalityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The conical surface design is self-service in that it automatically performs both clamping and thread release functions without requiring external control mechanisms or movable parts. The spindle's own rotation serves to push threads away during high-speed operation, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms that would reduce service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 results in a residue-free, contamination-insensitive thread clamping system with improved service life and precise operation, consistently closing at low speeds and opening at defined high speeds, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of thread management during spinning processes.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element (17), which is guided on a stationary lower thread sleeve (16) of the spindle (2) and is functionally connected to the second clamping element (18), wherein the spring element (17) is equipped with centrifugal elements (26) which, depending on the speed of the spindle (2), influence a shape of the spring element (17)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a relief device which, by centrifugal force, positions the second clamping element (18) at a distance from the first clamping element (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3260406B1Thread clamping device
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 SAURER SPINNING SOLUTIONS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3260406B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3260406B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3260406B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present invention relates to a thread clamping device (14) for a spindle (2) of a spinning or twisting machine, comprising a first clamping element (15) arranged stationary on the upper part (3) of the spindle, a second clamping element (18) mounted axially displaceable relative to the first clamping element (15), a loading device which, by spring force, acts on the second clamping element (18) in the direction of the first clamping element (15), and a relief device which, by centrifugal force, positions the second clamping element (18) at a distance from the first clamping element (15).According to the invention, a spring element (17) is used as a loading and unloading device, which is guided on a stationary lower winding sleeve (16) of the spindle (2) and is functionally connected to the slidably mounted second clamping element (18), wherein the spring element (17) is equipped with centrifugal force elements (26) which, depending on the rotational speed of the spindle (2), influence the shape of the spring element (17) and thus determine the position of the second clamping element (18).