Weft Braking Device with Elastic Triad for Yarn Feeders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weft-braking devices for yarn feeders are inconvenient to install and uninstall for maintenance or replacement due to complex spring arrangements, and they accumulate dust, which affects the braking action and fabric quality.

Innovation Solution

A weft-braking device with a hollow, frustoconical braking member supported by a triad of elongated elastic members, anchored via pins to an annular support with hook-shaped projections, allowing easier installation and removal and preventing dust accumulation by shielding the springs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple helical springs with hooks are used to support the braking member, then the braking action uniformity is improved, but the fastening and unfastening operations become more time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking action uniformityVSAvoidfastening/unfastening time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the connection system into modular components: the braking member with integrated connection elements, the annular support with dedicated receptacles, and the elastic members as separate replaceable units. This segmentation allows the braking member to be quickly detached and reattached without handling multiple individual spring hooks, significantly reducing fastening/unfastening time while maintaining braking uniformity through the distributed arrangement of multiple elastic members

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate connection structures (connection elements on the braking member and corresponding receptacles on the annular support) that mediate between the braking member and the elastic members. This intermediary system eliminates the need to directly handle and rehook individual spring ends, allowing rapid attachment and detachment while the elastic members themselves remain in place, thus resolving the time-consuming fastening operation problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the spring hooks are made narrow and pointed to prevent accidental unhooking, then the reliability of connection is improved, but dust accumulation on the springs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddust accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the connection function from the elastic members themselves and relocates it to dedicated connection elements on the braking member and corresponding receptacles on the annular support. This separation allows the elastic members to be simple, dust-resistant components while the connection reliability is ensured by the specialized connection structures that are positioned away from the dust-generating contact zone between the braking member and drum

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs elastic members that can be easily replaced as consumable components. Instead of using durable but dust-prone hooked springs, the system uses simpler elastic members that are inserted into and removed from the connection receptacles. These elastic members can be quickly replaced when worn or contaminated, maintaining connection reliability without the dust accumulation problems of traditional hooked springs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple springs are used to ensure uniform braking action, then the braking performance is improved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking action uniformityVSAvoidspring arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into unified structures: the connection elements are integrated into the braking member itself, the annular support combines the mounting function with the elastic member receptacles, and the elastic members serve both as connection elements and as the braking force application mechanism. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining the distributed arrangement needed for uniform braking action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal, standardized components that serve multiple functions: the elastic members provide both connection and braking force; the connection elements and receptacles serve both as mounting structures and as alignment guides; the annular support provides both structural support and elastic member retention. This multi-functionality reduces component count and simplifies the device while maintaining braking uniformity through the standardized, repeatable arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates quicker maintenance and reduces dust buildup, ensuring consistent braking action and improved fabric quality by simplifying the installation and removal process and protecting the braking mechanism from dust.

Implementation Method 1

elastically biased with its inner surface against the delivery edge of the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The yarn running between the drum and the braking member thereby receives a braking action by friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2719804B1Weft-braking device for yarn feeders with stationary drum
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 L G L ELECTRONICS SPA
  • EP2719804B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2719804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2719804B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A braking member having a circular profile (12) is coaxially supported via elastic means at the middle of an annular support (16) connectable to a yarn feeder, and is adapted to be coaxially biased against the delivery edge of a stationary drum of the feeder for applying a braking action by friction to the yarn. The elastic means comprise at least two elongated elastic members (19), which have both their ends anchored to the annular support (16), and have intermediate portions restrainedly engaged with respective anchor projections (22) of the braking member (12).