Weft Insertion Control Value Setting in Multi-Color Looms

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-color weft insertion looms, setting control values for weft insertion conditions is complex when the selection number changes between weaving operations, requiring a more intricate process to transfer and reset control values between different weft insertion systems.

Innovation Solution

A method for setting weft insertion conditions in a multi-color weft insertion loom that allows control values stored in a storage medium to be readily set in the weft-insertion control unit as control values corresponding to an arbitrary selection number, involving a setting device that reads and sets control values for weft-insertion-related devices in the designated weft insertion system, with optional selection of specific or all devices for simplified operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If control values are set manually for each weft insertion system in a multi-color weft insertion loom, then the setting process becomes complex and time-consuming when selection numbers change between weaving operations, but following the conventional step-by-step manual input and copy function requires excessive time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of setting control valuesVSAvoidtime for setting control values
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The setting device reads control values from a storage medium in advance and stores them in its memory before the weaving operation begins. This preliminary action allows the control values to be readily available when needed, eliminating the need for manual input or complex copying operations during the actual setting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The setting device automatically copies control values from the storage medium to its internal memory and can transfer them to the weft-insertion control unit as needed. This automated copying function eliminates manual input operations and simplifies the process of reusing control values across different weaving operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If control values are transferred between different weft insertion systems using the copy function, then the process requires resetting and reconfiguring which increases device complexity, but the conventional method involves multiple steps including copying and resetting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of setting process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The setting device serves as an intermediary between the storage medium and the weft-insertion control unit. It reads control values from the storage medium, stores them in its own memory, and then transfers them to the control unit as needed. This intermediary role simplifies the overall process by consolidating the reading, storing, and transferring operations in a single device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The setting device is designed to handle multiple functions: reading control values from storage media, storing them in its memory, transferring them to the control unit, and managing different weft insertion systems. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices or complex procedures for each operation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2228470B1Method for setting weft-insertion conditions in multi-color weft insertion loom
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 TSUDAKOMA KOGYO KK
  • EP2228470B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2228470B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A setting method is used in a multi-color weft insertion loom including a weft insertion device (11) which includes two or more weft insertion systems that operate in a weft insertion operation, a setting device (46) which sets operation control values of weft-insertion-related devices belonging to the respective weft insertion systems, and a weft-insertion control unit (43) in which the control values are set in advance as weft insertion conditions in association with selection numbers assigned to the respective weft insertion systems. The setting device (46) performs the steps of reading control values for setting targets from control values included in weft insertion conditions stored in a storage device and corresponding to a selected selection number; and setting, in response to a generation of a setting command signal, the control values read in the reading step in the weft-insertion control unit (43) as control values for the setting targets in a weft insertion system corresponding to a designated selection number.