Weft Feeder Drum Segment Positioning and Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weft feeder devices face challenges in reliably positioning drum segments within a guide structure due to excessive wear and movement issues, particularly when using wobbling guide structures and central rods that require fixation to avoid wear.

Innovation Solution

The weft feeder device incorporates resiliently mounted pressing elements and guiding legs that reduce play between the guiding legs and the bearing seat, along with a blocking mechanism to prevent undesired movement, allowing for precise adjustment of the winding circumference while minimizing wear and maintaining stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If drum segments are moved in radial direction for adjusting winding circumference, then the winding circumference is adjustable, but the drum segments experience excessive wear and movement instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of winding circumferenceVSAvoidpositioning stability of drum segments
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure is designed to be moveable in a wobbling motion, allowing the drum segments to be dynamically positioned during operation. This dynamic guide structure enables adjustment of the winding circumference while maintaining stable positioning through controlled movement patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A blocking mechanism is introduced as an intermediary element between the drum segments and the guide structure. This blocking mechanism selectively prevents relative movement between these components, eliminating excessive wear and positioning instability while allowing the guide structure to perform its wobbling motion for circumference adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If central rods are used to position drum segments, then the drum segments can be adjusted, but excessive wear occurs at the central rods and guide structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of drum segment adjustmentVSAvoidservice life of central rods and guide structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking mechanism serves as an intermediary that selectively engages to prevent harmful relative movement between the central rods and guide structure during operation, thereby reducing wear. It allows necessary adjustment movements while blocking excessive or unwanted movements that cause wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking mechanism changes the state of the system by selectively blocking movement in certain directions while allowing movement in other directions. This parameter-based control enables adjustment operations while protecting against wear-causing movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If blocking mechanism is added to prevent movement, then wear is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction of wear and unwanted movementVSAvoidcomplexity of guide structure and drum segment mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking mechanism is designed as a relatively simple intermediary component that can be integrated into the existing guide structure. By placing this single blocking element, the system achieves wear reduction without requiring major structural changes or adding multiple complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures reliable positioning and reduced wear of drum segments, enabling efficient adjustment of the winding circumference and preventing excessive movement or vibration, thus enhancing the operational stability and longevity of the weft feeder device.

Implementation Method 1

the bearing seat comprises at least one resiliently mounted pressing element, which is acting on the guiding leg for reducing play between the guiding leg and the associated bearing seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3631065B1Weft feeder device
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 PICANOL NV
  • EP3631065B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3631065B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3631065B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Weft feeder device with a winding drum (5) havingat least one drum segment (17, 19, 21; 27, 29, 31) with a central rod (47, 49) extending in a radial direction with respect to the drum axis (9), wherein the at least one drum segment (17,19, 21; 27, 29, 31) is moveably mounted to a guide structure (25, 35), wherein the drive mechanism (15) cooperates with the central rod (47, 49) of the at least one drum segment (17, 19, 21; 27, 29, 31) for moving the at least one drum segment (17, 19, 21; 27, 29, 31) in the radial direction with respect to a drum axis (9) upon adjusting the winding circumference of the winding drum (5), wherein the at least one drum segment (17, 19, 21; 27, 29, 31) is provided with at least one guiding leg (51, 53; 55, 57) guided by the guide structure (25; 35), and wherein the at least one guiding leg (51, 53; 55, 57) extends at a distance in parallel to the central rod (47;49).