Weatherstrip Threading Device for Flexible Sheet Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for threading a welt into a welt groove are labor-intensive and prone to undesired relative displacement, leading to wrinkles and inefficiency in applications like car seat upholstery, where the welt needs to be fixed transversely to the longitudinal direction.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize motor-driven, signal-actuated pliers for central insertion of the welt into the groove, with press-in devices and rollers that progressively snap the welt into the groove in opposite directions, canceling thrust forces and preventing displacement, and a pressure rail with displaceable press-in elements to guide the welt flush into the groove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual pressing method is used to thread welt into welt groove, then the process can be completed, but the labor intensity is very high and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables automatic threading of the welt into the welt groove through self-contained mechanical components. The press roller automatically presses the welt into the groove while the device moves along the longitudinal direction, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention and significantly reducing labor intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pressing operation with an automated mechanical system. The device uses a motor-driven press roller that automatically applies pressure to thread the welt into the groove, substituting human labor with a mechanical automation system that operates continuously along the length of the welt groove.
2Manufacturing precision
If repeated pressing at short intervals is used, then the welt can be threaded into the groove, but the process is very labour-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device maintains continuous pressing action as it moves along the longitudinal direction of the welt groove. Instead of repeated intermittent pressing, the press roller continuously applies pressure to thread the welt into the groove in one continuous operation, improving both efficiency and consistency of the threading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary positioning and alignment before the actual pressing operation. The guide elements and the structured movement of the device ensure that the welt is properly positioned before pressing begins, allowing for accurate and efficient threading without the need for repeated adjustments.
3Reliability
If the welt is pressed into the groove perpendicularly to the opening direction, then the welt can be fixed in place, but the process requires frequent repetition and is labour-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces dynamic movement along the longitudinal direction while maintaining the perpendicular pressing action. The press roller moves continuously along the welt groove while applying perpendicular pressure, transforming a static repeated operation into a dynamic continuous process that maintains fixing reliability while reducing operational complexity.
4Ease of operation
If manual grasping with pliers is used, then the welt can be inserted into the groove, but the process is very labour-intensive and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs the entire threading operation automatically without requiring manual grasping or manipulation. The press roller and guide elements work together to automatically feed and press the welt into the groove, making the device self-sufficient and eliminating time-consuming manual operations.
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 automatic, precise, and efficient threading of the welt into the groove, reducing labor intensity and preventing wrinkles, ensuring a smooth and wrinkle-free installation of upholstery fabrics.
Implementation Method 1
in the area of the middle point of the length of the piping groove under temporary, elastic expansion of the mouth of the piping groove is snapped into the piping groove
Implementation Method 2
the piping is then, starting from this point, progressively pressed and snapped into the remaining areas of the piping groove at the same time in the two opposite directions A, B
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for threading a weatherstrip (2) fixed to the edge of a flexible sheet material (1) transversely into a weatherstrip channel (3), which in the region of the opening (4) thereof is provided with a narrowing, characterized in that the weatherstrip (2) is snapped into the weatherstrip channel (3) in the center region of the length of the weatherstrip channel (3) while temporarily elastically widening the opening (4) of the weatherstrip channel (3), and that subsequently the weatherstrip (2), starting from this location, at the same time is progressively snapped into the remaining regions of the weatherstrip channel (3) in the two opposing directions A, B.