Weft Color Selection Device with Open Eyelets and Deflection-Free Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weft thread color selection devices for weaving machines often obscure the view of thread eyelets, making it difficult to insert threads correctly and can cause damage to the threads due to harsh deflections, limiting the production of high-quality fabrics.
Innovation Solution
A weft thread color selection device with thread guide eyelets that can be moved to bring selected threads into a gentle delivery position, using a combination of rotating color discs and delivery needles to ensure each thread is handled uniformly and without deflection, allowing for easy access and reduced thread damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If weft threads are guided through closed eyelets in a color selection disc, then thread organization is improved, but thread damage increases due to sharp deflections
Solution Approach 1:
The color selection device is divided into multiple segments or stations around the circular path, with each segment handling a specific thread. This allows threads to be guided through open eyelets at each segment rather than forcing them through closed eyelets, reducing deflection damage while maintaining organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a flat, two-dimensional color selection disc to a three-dimensional circular path with multiple elevated stations. Threads are guided along the circumference at different heights and positions, allowing open eyelet configurations that reduce sharp deflections while maintaining color selection functionality.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple weft threads are accommodated in a compact color selection device, then space efficiency is improved, but thread accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The color selection device uses a rotatable mechanism where the circular path can be rotated to bring different thread stations to the delivery position. This dynamic rotation allows compact storage of multiple threads while providing easy access to any selected thread when needed, resolving the contradiction between compactness and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The single circular color selection device serves multiple functions: it stores numerous weft threads of different colors, organizes them systematically, allows selection of any thread, and delivers the selected thread to the gripper. This multi-functionality in a compact unit resolves the contradiction between space efficiency and operational accessibility.
3Productivity
If weft threads undergo significant deflection to reach the gripper, then thread transfer is achieved, but thread quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thread path is pre-configured with open eyelets and guide elements positioned along the circular path before the thread needs to be transferred. This preliminary arrangement ensures threads follow a gentle, pre-planned route to the delivery position rather than undergoing sharp, damaging deflections during the transfer process.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple guide elements, open eyelets, and stationary guides are introduced as intermediary components between the thread source and the gripper. These intermediaries facilitate smooth thread transition along the circular path, preventing direct sharp deflections and reducing thread damage while maintaining effective thread transfer.
Data Source
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AI summary
A weaving machine having a device (1) for selecting the weft thread colour is provided, by which individual weft threads of a number of provided weft threads are able to be fed to a gripper in a selected order, and which has a thread guide (4), by means of which the weft threads (2) fed by a weft accumulator are able to be fed to the device for selecting the weft thread colour. The thread guiding eyelets (6) of the device (1) for selecting the weft thread colour are brought into respective supply positions (10) by a first drive (8), wherein, in selected thread guiding eyelets (6), in each case at least one weft thread (2) is received in order to be selected and provided to the gripper (3) for weft insertion into a shed (11). By means of a supply needle (12) driven by a second drive (9) , the supplied weft thread (2) is brought into a transfer position to the gripper (3) via the supply position (10). Each thread guiding eyelet (6) of the device (1) for selecting the weft thread colour is open, at least in its supply position (10), towards the outer side (13), via which the respectively selected weft thread (2) is able to be supplied to the gripper (3) and is able to be transferred to the latter by means of the supply needle (12). The supply needle (12) guides the weft thread (2) without deflection out of the thread guiding eyelet (6) via the open outer side (13) thereof. The device (1) for selecting the weft thread colour has at least one colour disc (14) or an elongate element in which the thread guiding eyelets (6) are formed.