Textile Machine Service Operation Sub-Sequence Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Textile machines with multiple work stations experience productivity reduction due to frequent interruptions for service operations, which require limited energy resources, leading to waiting times and inefficient energy utilization.

Innovation Solution

Divide service operations into sub-sequences that can be performed independently when energy resources are available, prioritizing sub-sequences based on energy requirements and machine performance to maximize productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If service operations are performed to restore normal operation after interruptions, then the textile machine can resume production, but productivity is reduced due to waiting times when energy resources are unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetextile machine productivityVSAvoidwaiting time for service operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The service operation is divided into multiple sub-sequences (first sub-sequence, second sub-sequence, etc.), each with different energy requirements. This segmentation allows the system to execute partial service operations when energy resources are limited, rather than waiting for complete energy availability. The control unit manages these sub-sequences independently, enabling progressive restoration of work stations without requiring all energy resources to be available simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts service operation execution based on real-time energy resource availability. The control unit continuously monitors energy resources and determines which sub-sequences can be executed at any given moment. This dynamic approach allows the textile machine to adapt its service operation schedule to fluctuating energy availability, maximizing productivity without exceeding energy constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple service operations are executed simultaneously to maximize productivity, then more work stations can resume operation faster, but energy resource requirements exceed available capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetextile machine productivityVSAvoidenergy resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different sub-sequences of service operations are assigned different energy consumption characteristics. The control unit identifies which sub-sequences have lower energy requirements and executes those first when energy resources are limited. This local differentiation of energy requirements within the service operation structure enables efficient resource allocation, allowing multiple work stations to receive partial service simultaneously without exceeding overall energy capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors energy resource availability and uses this feedback to determine which service operation sub-sequences to execute. This closed-loop control ensures that the sum of energy requirements for all concurrently executing sub-sequences never exceeds available energy resources, while still maximizing the number of work stations that can resume operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If service operations are postponed to ensure complete energy availability, then energy resources are fully utilized, but productivity is significantly reduced due to extended waiting times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy resource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidtextile machine productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial service operations (sub-sequences) rather than waiting for complete energy availability to perform entire service operations. By executing what is possible with currently available energy resources (partial action), the system allows work stations to resume operation with incomplete service, which can then be completed later when more energy is available. This approach prevents complete shutdown and maintains continuous partial productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3231903B1Method for operating a textile machine and textile machine
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 RIETER INGOLSTADT GMBH
  • EP3231903B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3231903B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3231903B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a textile machine (1) with a plurality of identical workstations (2), wherein, during normal operation, yarn is produced or rewound from a supply spool to a receiving spool using the workstations (2), and wherein normal operation at the individual workstations (2) is initiated by a service operation after a stop of the textile machine (1) or is interrupted at certain intervals by a service operation in the form of a spinning operation, a spool-changing operation, or a yarn-joining operation. According to the invention, it is proposed that at least one of the aforementioned service operations is divided into several sub-sequences, and that a pending sub-sequence is carried out independently of the other sub-sequences of the corresponding service operation if the energy resources required to carry out the pending sub-sequence are available.Furthermore, the invention relates to a textile machine.