Weaving Machine Drive System Blocking Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems for weaving machines lack an effective mechanism to block the rotation of the second drive gear wheel during standstill, especially when large external forces are applied, which can cause unintended rotation and friction issues.
Innovation Solution
A blocking device with a swivellable lever having a tooth that engages with the second drive gear wheel, mounted in parallel to its rotation axis, which can be activated to block the gear wheel's rotation, utilizing a hydraulic actuator for reliable engagement and disengagement, and a sensor system to manage activation states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second drive gear wheel is held in standstill using a main drive motor and brake, then the gear wheel can be kept stationary during normal operation, but the blocking device cannot effectively prevent rotation when large external forces are applied during standstill
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is segmented into separate functional components: a lever with tooth for engagement, a swivel mechanism for positioning, and a hydraulic actuator for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling reliable blocking under large external forces while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary element between the blocking device and the second drive gear wheel. The lever's tooth engages with the gear wheel teeth to transmit blocking force, while the hydraulic actuator serves as an intermediary actuation mechanism that controls the lever's position without requiring direct force application to the gear wheel.
2Reliability
If a blocking device is added to prevent gear wheel rotation, then rotation control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever serves multiple functions: it acts as a blocking element when engaged with the gear wheel teeth, serves as a mechanical link for force transmission, and provides a structural component for the hydraulic actuator to manipulate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliable rotation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic actuator provides a compact and efficient means of controlling the lever's position between blocked and unblocked states. The hydraulic system offers high force multiplication with small actuator size, reducing overall device complexity compared to mechanical spring-based or purely mechanical locking mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tooth of the lever is arranged centrally between two teeth of the second drive gear wheel, then engagement is most stable, but the tooth cannot easily engage or disengage when external forces are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static central engagement arrangement to a dynamic positioning system. The lever can be swiveled to different angular positions, allowing the tooth to engage with gear wheel teeth at various locations. This dynamic capability enables easy engagement and disengagement under external forces while maintaining stable engagement during normal operation through the hydraulic actuator's precise positioning control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive system (1) for a weaving machine comprising a first drive gear wheel (2) for driving a first group of elements, a second drive gear wheel (3) for driving a second group of elements, a switching gear wheel (4), wherein the switching gear wheel (4) is displaceable between a first position, in which the switching gear wheel (4) is in drive connection with the first drive gear wheel (2) and the second drive gear wheel (3), and a second position, in which the switching gear wheel (4) is not in drive connection with the first drive gear wheel (2), and a blocking device (9), wherein the blocking device (9) can be activated for blocking a rotation of the second drive gear wheel (3) while the second drive gear wheel (3) is in standstill, wherein the blocking device (9) comprises a lever (14) having a tooth (15) for engaging with teeth (16) of the second drive gear wheel (3), and wherein the lever (14) is mounted swivellable about a swivel axis (17) of the lever (14) extending in parallel to the rotation axis (18) of the second drive gear wheel (3) between a blocking position, in which the tooth (15) engages with the second drive gear wheel (3), and a rest position, in which the tooth (15) is disengaged from the second drive gear wheel (3). The invention further relates to a weaving machine with such a drive system (1).