Thread Separation Mechanism for Weft Feeder Winding Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weft feeder devices with winding drums face challenges in reliably storing weft threads with a defined distance between windings, as previous thread separation mechanisms are inefficient in maintaining consistent separation distances due to limited control over movement phases and trajectories.
Innovation Solution
A thread separation mechanism featuring a separation element driven by two carrier elements moving in axial directions with a phase shift, coupled via a linkage system, allowing for adjustable separation distances by controlling the phase shift and movement trajectories, ensuring consistent radial and axial movements for winding advancement and withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single carrier element is used to drive the separation element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control separation distance and movement trajectory is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into two independent carrier elements (first carrier element and second carrier element) that can be controlled separately. Each carrier element has its own actuation mechanism, allowing independent control of their movements. This segmentation enables precise control over the separation distance by adjusting the relative phase shift between the two carrier elements, while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control by introducing a variable phase shift between the to-and-fro movements of the two carrier elements. The phase shift can be adjusted to control the separation distance between windings. The linkage system dynamically converts the axial movements of carrier elements into the required radial and axial movements of the separation element, adapting to different operating conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the separation element moves along a complex trajectory with radial and axial components, then the winding separation is precise, but the control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage system acts as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies control. Instead of directly controlling the separation element's complex trajectory, the system uses two carrier elements moving along simpler axial paths. The linkage system automatically converts these simpler movements into the required complex trajectory of the separation element, reducing control difficulty while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The control approach transitions from controlling a single element's complex 2D trajectory to controlling two elements' simpler 1D axial movements. By adding the dimension of phase shift between the two carrier elements, the system achieves precise control over the separation distance while simplifying the individual movement paths of the driving elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the phase shift between carrier elements is adjusted to change separation distance, then the adaptability is improved, but the control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves adaptability by changing the phase shift parameter between the two carrier elements. By adjusting this single parameter, the separation distance between windings can be modified. The linkage system is designed such that the phase shift directly translates to the desired separation distance, providing a straightforward control relationship that maintains precision while enabling adjustability.
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Weft feeder device (30) and thread separation mechanism for a weft feeder device (30) with a winding drum (31) having an axial direction (A) and a winding circumference for storing a weft thread, the thread separation mechanism (1) comprises a separation element (3) arranged at the winding circumference and extending in the axial direction (A) of the winding drum (31), and a drive system (5) for moving the separation element (3) relative to the winding drum (31) along a trajectory (4) having radial and axial components for advancing windings (32) of the weft thread in the axial direction (A), wherein the drive system (5) comprises a first carrier element (6) and a second carrier element (7), and wherein the separation element (3) is coupled to the first carrier element (6) and the second carrier element (7) via a linkage system (8).