Swivelable Support for Rapier Guide Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for setting the position of a stationary guide on a weaving machine are complex and unreliable, making precise alignment with reference elements difficult, especially when those elements are not directly accessible.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a first and second support part, with the first support part mounted swivelably about a virtual axis outside itself, allowing for precise alignment of the stationary guide with reference elements using a four-joint linkage mechanism and eccentric axles for adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the stationary guide is mounted directly to the frame using conventional mounting structures, then the mounting is simple and direct, but precise alignment with reference elements located at inaccessible positions cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a first support part as an intermediary component between the stationary guide and the frame. This support part is mounted swivelably about a virtual axis that lies outside the first support part, enabling indirect adjustment of the stationary guide's position to achieve precise alignment with reference elements that are not directly accessible to the mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional direct mounting methods are used, then the structure is simple, but repeated adjustments are required and reliability is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting reliabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first support part is designed to be movable (swivelable) about a virtual axis during the positioning process, allowing dynamic adjustment of the stationary guide's orientation. After positioning is complete, the support part can be fixed to achieve the desired position, providing both adjustability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the virtual axis is placed inside the first support part, then the mounting structure is compact, but alignment with reference elements at inaccessible positions becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidsupport structure extension
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual axis serves as a conceptual intermediary that extends beyond the physical boundaries of the first support part. This allows the rotation center to be positioned at locations that are not directly accessible to the mounting structure, enabling alignment with reference elements located at inaccessible positions while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4212658B1Device for setting a position of a stationary guide
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 PICANOL NV
  • EP4212658B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4212658B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4212658B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for setting a position of a stationary guide (1) for guiding a rapier on a weaving machine, the device (2) comprising a first support part (3) and a second support part (4), wherein for setting an orientation of the first support part (3) with respect to the second support part (4), the first support part (3) is mounted to the second support part (4) swivelably about a virtual axis (8), which virtual axis (8) lies outside the first support part (3).The invention further relates to a weaving machine comprising such a device (2) and to a method for setting a position of a stationary guide (1) for guiding a rapier on a weaving machine using such a device (2).