Wireless Warp Knitting Machine Control With Safety Signal Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Adjustment work on warp knitting machines is cumbersome due to the need for operators to physically be near the machine's control cabinet, and existing wireless connections often result in unintended data transfer to incorrect machines, posing safety risks and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a safety device that sends a limited-range signal allowing communication only within a specific area, ensuring the operating device can only connect to and adjust a specific warp knitting machine, with adjustable range and position-specific functionality to prevent accidental interactions with other machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a wireless operating device is used to adjust the warp knitting machine, then the ease of operation is improved as the operator can move freely, but the reliability deteriorates because the operating device may accidentally connect to the wrong machine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator mobilityVSAvoidmachine identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each warp knitting machine is equipped with a unique identification device that transmits its specific identification data wirelessly. The operating device receives and verifies this identification data to establish connection only with the intended machine, ensuring reliable machine identification while maintaining operator mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operating device can connect to multiple machines wirelessly, then the adaptability is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to unintended data transfer to incorrect machines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-machine connectivityVSAvoidunintended data transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the operating device continuously receives identification data from nearby warp knitting machines. Before establishing connection or executing commands, the operating device verifies the identification data to confirm it is addressing the correct machine, preventing unintended data transfer while maintaining the ability to connect to multiple machines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication range is extended to cover larger factory areas, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to signal interference and accidental connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The identification devices on each warp knitting machine continuously transmit their identification data in advance, creating a persistent wireless identification field. When the operating device enters the communication range, it can immediately receive and verify the identification data of nearby machines, establishing correct connection before any operational commands are sent, thus preventing accidental connections even with extended communication range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3382077B1Warp knitting machine
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 KARL MAYER STOLL R&D GMBH
  • EP3382077B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3382077B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A warp knitting machine (1) is described, comprising a working area, a control unit that controls the working area, and an operating device (6) that is wirelessly connected to the control unit. The aim is to make adjustments to the warp knitting machine simple and safe. For this purpose, at least one safety device (10) is provided, which sends a safety signal. A connection between the operating device (6) and the control unit is only possible as long as the operating device (6) receives the safety signal.