Thread Feeding Apparatus with Spring Braking and Concealed Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thread feeding devices for weaving stations are prone to tangling, aesthetically unappealing, and require cumbersome weight tensioning systems, which can lead to unreliable thread management during use.
Innovation Solution
A thread feeding device with a spool holder and thread retraction spring that provides a braking force greater than the spring return force, combined with a concealed thread guide and modular design for adjustable and flexible arm holders and feed arms, preventing tangling and enhancing user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hanging weights are used as tensioning means, then the thread can be kept taut, but the device becomes aesthetically unappealing and prone to tangling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hanging weights and open thread guidance from the system, replacing them with a concealed thread guide integrated into the feed arm. The thread spool is mounted on a movable spool holder that is visually hidden within the feed arm structure, eliminating the unsightly hanging components while maintaining thread tensioning functionality through a spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread spool is nested within the feed arm structure through a movable spool holder that slides inside the hollow-cylindrical feed arm. The thread guide is also integrated into the feed arm, creating a compact nested arrangement that conceals the thread management components and eliminates the need for external hanging weights.
2Reliability
If large weights are used to keep the thread taut, then the thread remains tensioned, but the weight may fall and cause automatic unwinding of the spool
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy weight with a spring mechanism that provides continuous counteracting force to maintain thread tension. The spring is mounted on the spool holder and exerts a restoring force that prevents the spool from rotating unintentionally, eliminating the risk of weights falling and causing accidental unwinding while maintaining reliable thread tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool holder is designed to be movable along the feed arm, allowing dynamic adjustment of the thread spool position. This dynamic mechanism, combined with the spring force, provides adaptive thread tensioning that responds to user manipulation while preventing unintended unwinding through the braking force generated by the spring's restoring action.
3Ease of operation
If the thread spool is freely rotatable, then the thread can be easily unwound, but the thread may tangle and the spool may rotate uncontrollably
Solution Approach 1:
The spool holder is designed to be movable along the feed arm, allowing the thread spool to rotate freely when needed for unwinding. The spring mechanism provides a braking force that prevents uncontrolled rotation and tangling, creating a dynamic balance between ease of operation and reliability of thread management.
4Ease of operation
If an open thread guidance is used, then the thread can be easily accessed, but the device appears unattractive and threads may tangle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the open thread guidance and replaces it with a concealed thread guide integrated into the hollow-cylindrical feed arm. The thread passes through the feed arm in a concealed manner, eliminating the unsightly open guidance while maintaining easy thread accessibility through the front opening of the feed arm.
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
Ensures reliable thread tensioning, reduces tangling, and improves the visual appeal of the device, allowing for easy operation and customizable thread management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thread retraction spring (13) is provided to form the tensioning means
Implementation Method 2
The thread spool (4) is mounted in such a way that there is a braking force opposite to the unwinding, which is greater than the spring force of the thread return spring (13)
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~11
Figure 12~16
AI summary
The invention relates to a thread feed device for providing working threads, comprising a base (1), at least one arm holder (2) attached to the base (1), at least one feed arm (3) arranged thereon for providing the working threads (5), and at least one thread spool (4) carrying a wound thread reservoir and rotatable about a pivot axis (D), from which the working thread (5) can be drawn by pulling on the working thread (5) and the resulting unwinding, wherein a tensioning means is provided that is capable of tensioning the thread (5) in a direction opposite to the direction of pull-off. Known thread feed devices have the disadvantage that the threads are tensioned by hanging weights, which leads to a risk of thread entanglement.This improves the invention in that the thread spool (4) is mounted on a spool holder (6) arranged on the feed arm (3), wherein at least one thread retraction spring (13) is provided to form the clamping means, the deflection of which is limited by a first stop (7), and which is arranged such that it is deflected when a tensile force sufficient for the unwinding of the thread (5) is applied to the thread (5), and the thread spool (4) is mounted such that a braking force opposing the unwinding is present which is greater than the spring force of the thread retraction spring (13).