Warp Thread Tension Sensing Bar with Distributed Strain Gauges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to accurately monitor and regulate the tension of individual warp threads across the entire width of a warp in a weaving machine, leading to defects in fabric quality due to imprecise tension measurement and uneven dynamic behavior of backrests.

Innovation Solution

A sensing bar equipped with evenly or unevenly distributed strain gauge sensors along its length, connected to a backrest beam, provides accurate tension data for warp threads, allowing for precise regulation of tension across the entire warp width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensing bar with multiple strain gauge sensors is used to monitor tension across the entire warp width, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarp thread tension measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensing bar and sensor distribution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing bar is divided into multiple segments with strain gauge sensors positioned at different locations along its length. Each sensor monitors tension in a specific zone of the warp, allowing individual thread tension detection while maintaining an integrated sensing structure. This segmentation enables precise local measurement without requiring a completely separate sensor for each thread.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing bar acts as an intermediary element that transfers warp thread tension forces to the strain gauge sensors. Instead of directly attaching multiple sensors to individual threads, the sensing bar distributes and concentrates the tension forces from multiple warp threads to specific sensor locations, enabling indirect but accurate tension measurement across the entire warp width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If strain gauge sensors are distributed along the sensing bar to cover the entire warp width, then monitoring coverage is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverage areaVSAvoidsensor positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing bar is designed with varying sensor distribution characteristics along its length, with sensors positioned at specific locations corresponding to different warp zones. Each section of the sensing bar has optimized sensor placement tailored to the local tension characteristics of that warp region, allowing accurate local measurement while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the sensing bar is mounted on multiple strain gauge sensors to enable individual thread tension sensing, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetension sensing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple strain gauge sensors are integrated onto a single sensing bar structure, combining what would otherwise be separate sensing units into one unified component. This merging approach maintains the reliability benefits of multiple sensors for comprehensive warp monitoring while significantly simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process compared to installing individual sensors for each warp thread.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 accurate monitoring and regulation of warp thread tension along the entire width, preventing defects and ensuring consistent fabric quality by providing detailed tension distribution data.

Implementation Method 1

a sensing bar (5) fixed by means of a clamp mounting (61) of the bar (5) to six strain gauge sensors (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain gauge measurement: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3751035B1Device for sensing warp thread tension in a weaving machine
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 VUTS AS
  • EP3751035B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3751035B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3751035B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for sensing the tension of warp threads in a warp in a weaving machine, in which a sensing bar (5) extending across the entire width of the warp is mounted in the path of the warp threads, whereby the sensing bar (5) is fixedly mounted on at least three strain gauge sensors (6) which are distributed along the entire length of the sensing bar (5).