Thread Feeder Control Element for Textile Splicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thread connecting devices in textile machines often result in faulty or inferior thread connections due to uncontrolled thread feeding and incorrect positioning of thread ends, leading to poor quality and incomplete splices.

Innovation Solution

A thread connecting device with a deflection means on the air distributor body, ensuring the thread ends are cut to length and safely guided into holding and opening tubes, featuring a reversible and adjustable control element with a deflection mechanism that prevents uncontrolled thread movement, utilizing a hook-like or contour design to ensure proper alignment and braking of the thread ends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the thread feeder is mounted raised on the control element, then the thread feeding mechanism has sufficient clearance and accessibility, but the thread feeder may tilt radially inwards or outwards over time, resulting in poor thread connection quality or contact with other components causing wear and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread feeding accessibilityVSAvoidthread connection quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control element is designed to be rotatably mounted on the air distributor body, allowing it to rotate into different positions (e.g., 45 degrees) to accommodate thread feeding operations. This dynamic positioning capability enables the thread feeder to maintain proper alignment while providing sufficient clearance, preventing both tilting issues and contact with other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows adjustment of the control element's rotational position as a variable parameter. By changing the angular position of the control element, the thread feeder can be optimally positioned for each operation, ensuring reliable thread connections while maintaining accessibility and preventing mechanical interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the thread ends are not precisely positioned in the splicing prism, then the splicing process is simpler and faster, but the yarn splices will have inconsistent appearance and strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplicing speedVSAvoidyarn splice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control element is equipped with switching cams that perform preliminary positioning actions on the thread ends before the actual splicing operation. These cams pre-align the threads in the splicing prism, ensuring precise positioning is achieved automatically as part of the splicing cycle, thus maintaining both speed and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism incorporates automatic feedback through the switching cam system that monitors and adjusts thread positioning during the splicing cycle. The cam profiles are designed to detect thread position and make real-time adjustments, ensuring consistent yarn splice quality without requiring manual intervention or slowing down the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If the thread feeder is positioned far from the splicing prism, then there is sufficient space for thread manipulation, but the distance between thread feeders becomes difficult to control and maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread manipulation spaceVSAvoidthread feeder distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control element rotates on a fixed orbital path around the splicing prism, maintaining a constant radial distance. This dynamic rotation allows the thread feeder to access different positions for thread manipulation while the fixed orbital radius ensures the distance from the splicing prism remains precisely controlled throughout the entire cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the thread feeder linearly away from the splicing prism, the system uses rotational movement in a different dimension (angular position). This allows sufficient manipulation space to be achieved through radial positioning while maintaining a constant, precisely controlled distance from the splicing prism center.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design ensures reproducible, high-quality thread connections by preventing uncontrolled thread shooting and ensuring thread ends are properly sucked into the tubes, reducing the occurrence of faulty or incomplete splices and allowing for easy adjustment of the thread feeder distance without additional tools.

Implementation Method 1

a splicing prism which has a splicing channel which can be pressurised with compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a suction nozzle retrieves the thread end of the so-called upper thread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4470957A1Thread joining device for a workstation of a textile machine producing winding bobbins
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 RIETER AUTOMATIC WINDER GMBH
  • EP4470957A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4470957A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4470957A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a thread joining device 19 for a work station 2 of a textile machine 1 producing coils, comprising an air distributor body 24, which is equipped with connection bores 27 for compressed air lines, receiving bores 25 for holding and dissolving tubes 26 and a splicing prism 28, which has a splicing channel 29 that can be pressurized with compressed air, wherein at least one rotatably mounted control element 30, 31, which can be actuated by an individual drive, is arranged on the air distributor body 24, by means of which the thread treatment devices arranged at a distance from the splicing prism 28, in particular the thread cutting devices 41, the thread clamping devices 42 and/or the thread feeders 37, can be controlled as required.According to the invention, the thread feeder 37 is designed such that a deflecting means 44, 45 for guiding the thread 43, which is deflected by the thread feeder 37 and cut to length by the thread cutting device 41, is arranged on the circumference of the air distributor body 24 between the thread feeder 37 connected to the control element 30, 31 and the splicing prism 28 or the holding and dissolving tubes 26, is arranged, that the distance between the thread feeders 37 on the control element 30, 31 corresponds to the outer diameter of the splicing prism 28, and that the control element 30, 31 comprising the thread feeders 37 is reversibly driven and adjustable in the area of ​​the splicing prism 28.