Weaving Machine Lubrication With Stationary Feed and Rotating Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubrication systems for weaving machine drive systems risk soiling fabrics or threads with lubricant and are prone to failure due to broken or disconnected supply lines.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication system with a stationary connection piece and a rotatable lubricant fitting, featuring a lubricant channel and a check valve, which minimizes wear and leakage by using a grease lubricant and a bypass opening, and an operating element that moves into contact with the lubricant fitting only when necessary, ensuring lubricant supply during idle times and preventing rotation relative to the lubricant fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a moving supply line is used to lubricate the bearing, then the lubrication system can be simple, but the supply line is subject to wear and deterioration leading to broken or disconnected lines
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is divided into stationary and rotating parts. The supply line connection is separated from the rotating shaft, with the supply line remaining stationary while only the lubricant fitting rotates with the shaft. This segmentation eliminates wear on the supply line while maintaining lubrication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the supply line rotate with the shaft (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by making the supply line stationary and the lubricant fitting rotatable. This inversion resolves the wear problem by reversing which component remains stationary.
2Reliability
If lubricant is supplied continuously, then the bearing is well-lubricated, but the risk of fabric or threads being soiled with lubricant increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system uses periodic action by employing a check valve that allows lubricant to flow only during idle times when the shaft is not rotating. This periodic lubrication ensures the bearing is adequately lubricated while preventing lubricant from soiling the fabric or threads during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve performs preliminary action by preventing lubricant flow before the shaft rotates. The valve ensures lubricant is supplied only when the shaft is stationary, proactively preventing the harmful effect of fabric soiling before it can occur during rotation.
3Device complexity
If the lubricant fitting is stationary, then the supply line connection is simple, but the lubricant fitting cannot rotate with the shaft to maintain proper lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into a stationary housing part and a rotatable shaft part. The lubricant fitting is attached to the shaft and rotates with it, while the connection to the stationary supply line is maintained through the housing. This segmentation allows both stationary connection simplicity and rotatable lubrication delivery.
4Reliability
If an operating element is always in contact with the lubricant fitting, then lubrication is continuous, but wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element engages with the lubricant fitting periodically rather than continuously. The check valve mechanism allows the operating element to contact the lubricant fitting only when needed (during idle times), providing continuous lubrication when required while reducing wear through periodic rather than constant contact.
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
This design significantly reduces the risk of fabric soiling and lubrication system failure by minimizing wear and leakage, ensuring consistent lubrication without moving supply lines, thus maintaining operational efficiency and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve, which minimizes wear and leakage
Implementation Method 2
a lubricant fitting adapted to be mounted to the first end of the first lubricant channel for rotation with the shaft
Implementation Method 3
a connection piece adapted to be arranged stationary at the housing, the connection piece comprising an inlet adapted to receive a lubricant supply line and an outlet positioned opposite an entry of the lubricant fitting for supplying lubricant to the lubricant fitting
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~8
AI summary
Lubrication system for a drive system (2) of a weaving machine comprising a lubricant fitting (42) adapted to be mounted to the first end of the first lubricant channel (37) for rotation with the shaft (18) and a connection piece (31) adapted to be arranged stationary at the housing (19), the connection piece (31) comprising an outlet (43) positioned opposite an entry (44) of the lubricant fitting (42) for supplying lubricant to the lubricant fitting (42). The use of such a lubrication system, a device with such a lubrication system, and a weaving machine with such a device.