Air Jet Loom Weft Insertion Dual Tank Pressure Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weft insertion apparatuses for air jet looms face challenges in suppressing the reduction in compressed air pressure upon activation and the fluctuation range of pressure during operation, leading to suboptimal fabric quality and increased wear on electropneumatic regulators.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a dual-tank system with a first main tank and a second main tank, where the second tank is connected through a pipe with additional flow passage resistance, allowing for efficient air replenishment and pressure regulation by the main regulator, reducing pressure fluctuations and extending regulator lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the volume of compressed air injected from the nozzles is increased to improve productivity, then the rate of reduction in compressed air pressure upon activation increases, but the fabric quality deteriorates due to pressure instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of compressed air injectedVSAvoidfabric quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single tank is divided into two separate tanks (first main tank and second main tank), each serving distinct functions. The first tank handles high-volume air supply for productivity, while the second tank maintains pressure stability for fabric quality through its connection with additional flow passage resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe with additional flow passage resistance acts as an intermediary element between the two tanks. This intermediary component controls the air flow from the second tank to the first tank, enabling pressure regulation while accommodating high-volume air consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the capacity of the tank is reduced to suppress pressure reduction upon activation, then the pressure stability during operation deteriorates due to increased fluctuation range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure stability upon activationVSAvoidpressure fluctuation range during operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tank system is segmented into two tanks with different capacities and functions. The first tank can be smaller for rapid pressure recovery upon activation, while the second tank provides additional air reserve to minimize pressure fluctuations during continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different air supply paths. During activation, the system rapidly replenishes air to the first tank. During operation, the pipe with additional flow passage resistance modulates air flow from the second tank to maintain pressure stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the electropneumatic regulator operates frequently to maintain pressure regulation, then the pressure stability improves, but the service life of the regulator decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure regulation stabilityVSAvoidservice life of electropneumatic regulator
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe with additional flow passage resistance serves as a mediator that absorbs pressure fluctuations and reduces the frequency of regulator operations. This intermediary element smooths out pressure variations, allowing the electropneumatic regulator to operate less frequently while maintaining overall pressure stability.

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 configuration effectively suppresses the reduction in compressed air pressure upon activation and minimizes pressure fluctuations during operation, enhancing fabric quality and reducing the operational burden on the electropneumatic regulator.

Implementation Method 1

a second main tank 144S that is connected to the first main tank 144M through a pipe 143S serving as a second connecting portion, to which an additional flow passage resistance is given

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow passage resistance: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP4036292B1Weft insertion apparatus of air jet loom
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP4036292B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4036292B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4036292B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

A weft insertion apparatus (100) of an air jet loom includes a first tank (144M) storing compressed air, an electropneumatic regulator (143) regulating a pressure of the compressed air supplied from an air compressor (10) to supply the compressed air having the regulated pressure to the first tank (144M), a nozzle (141, 142) configured to inject the compressed air, a valve (145, 146) connected to the first tank (144M) through a first connecting portion (P144) and supplying the compressed air stored in the first tank (144M) to the nozzle (141, 142), and a second tank (144S) connected to the first tank (144M) through a second connecting portion (P143S, P143Sa, P143Sb, H143MS) that is provided independently from the first connecting portion (P144).