Thread Guide Track Layout for Automated Filament Spooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing winding devices require manual intervention for threading yarn, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A winding device with a guide track system that allows for automatic distribution and winding of filament bundles onto spools, featuring movable thread guides, a feed suction gun, and spindle drives, enabling automated filament placement without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual intervention is used for threading yarn onto the winding device, then the device structure can be simpler, but the productivity and efficiency are reduced due to time-consuming manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding efficiencyVSAvoidguide track system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide track is divided into multiple functional sections: a first track section for receiving thread guides, a second track section for transporting threads, and a third track section for positioning. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling automated threading while maintaining manageable system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thread guides serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the automatic transfer of filament bundles from the guide track to the spools. These intermediaries enable automated operation by mediating between the tracking system and the winding mechanism, eliminating the need for direct manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If thread guides are arranged close together in parking position, then the space requirement is reduced, but the ease of gripping individual filament bundles for changing is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide track spaceVSAvoidthread guide accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thread guides are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, transitioning from a compact clustered arrangement in the parking position to a spaced-out arrangement in the operational position. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize for both space efficiency during storage and ease of access during maintenance or changing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The thread guides periodically transition between clustered and spaced arrangements as the winding device operates through different phases. During normal operation, they are spaced for accessibility; during parking or storage phases, they cluster together to minimize space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4686683A1Spooling device
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 OERLIKON TEXTILE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4686683A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686683A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686683A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a winding device (1) for automatically distributing filament bundles (F). The winding device comprises a plurality of winding positions (W.1-Wn) at which a plurality of filament bundles (F) can be wound onto a plurality of spools (12) to form a spool (14). The spools (12) can be mounted on a spindle (8, 9) at the winding positions. A guide track (4) is positioned above and spaced apart from the spindle, in which a plurality of thread guides (40) can be guided. The guide track (4) has a first track section (43) on which the plurality of thread guides (40) are parked, and a third track section (45) on which the plurality of thread guides (40) are distributed in the winding positions (W.1-Wn). The first track section (43) extends away from the spindle and essentially perpendicular to the third track section (45).The invention enables the automatic distribution and winding of filament bundles (F) onto spools (12), wherein the thread guides (40) are moved along a specially designed guide track (4) to ensure efficient and precise winding.