Textile Tool Indicator Layer for Visible Wear Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Textile tools in textile machines experience wear and tear, making it difficult to determine when they need replacement, leading to potential errors or irregularities in textile production and increased scrap costs or downtime.

Innovation Solution

A textile tool with a tool core covered by a wear protection layer and an indicator layer, where the indicator layer is optically distinguishable from the wear protection layer and core material, allowing for easy identification of wear points, facilitating timely replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a wear-resistant coating is applied to the textile tool, then the service life of the tool is extended, but the ability to detect wear state deteriorates because the coating masks the underlying core material and wear indicators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of textile toolVSAvoiddetectability of wear state
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

An indicator layer is applied to the core material before the wear-resistant coating is deposited. This preliminary action ensures that the indicator is in place before the coating obscures it, allowing wear detection to occur as the coating wears away and reveals the indicator layer underneath.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator layer is provided with a color that differs from both the core material and the wear-resistant coating. This color differentiation enables visual detection of wear state - when the coating wears away, the contrasting color of the indicator layer becomes visible, signaling the wear condition without requiring complex detection equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If the textile tool is inspected frequently to determine wear state, then the quality of textile production is maintained, but the productivity and output are reduced due to increased inspection time and tool replacement frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of textile productionVSAvoidoutput of textile machine
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator layer serves itself by providing automatic visual feedback about the wear state. The system does not require external inspection equipment or complex measurement systems - the worn coating simply reveals the colored indicator layer, which self-indicates the wear condition through color contrast, enabling quick operator assessment without stopping production for detailed inspections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The color-coded indicator layer provides immediate visual information about wear state, allowing operators to quickly assess tool condition without time-consuming measurements or inspections. This enables maintenance decisions to be made rapidly, minimizing production interruptions while maintaining quality standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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

Enables quick recognition of wear points without the need for optical aids, preventing production errors and reducing downtime by allowing for prompt replacement of worn tools.

Implementation Method 1

The wear-resistant layer consists of a material different from the core material of the tool core, and in particular, it has a greater hardness than the core material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWear resistance: Wear

Implementation Method 2

The indicator layer is colored so that it is easily distinguishable from the wear-resistant layer and the tool core to the naked eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical distinguishability:

Data Source

PatentEP3483319B1Textile tool with indicator film
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 GROZ BECKERT KG
  • EP3483319B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3483319B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3483319B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a textile tool designed for use in a textile machine, for example, a knitting machine, warp knitting machine, or sewing machine. The textile tool (10) has a working section (15) which, in particular, has a thread recess (16) for guiding a thread. In the working section (15), the textile tool (10) comes into contact with a thread, several threads, fiber material, and/or a nonwoven fabric and is subject to increased wear. Therefore, at least in the working section (15), a wear-resistant layer (21) is applied to a tool core (20). Between the wear-resistant layer (21) and the tool core (20), and immediately adjacent to the wear-resistant layer (21), an indicator layer (23) is arranged in at least one indicator zone (22) in the working section (15).The indicator layer (23) is distinguishable by color from the wear protection layer (21) and preferably also from the tool core (20), especially without optical magnifying aids.