Weaving Machine Weft Storage Minimizing Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for temporarily storing ribbon-like weft material in weaving machines often cause deflections, which can damage sensitive materials like carbon fiber tapes, and fail to provide efficient alternate feeding from two different supply spools without interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A device with two storage containers and deflection elements that allow the weft materials to be fed and stored with minimal deflection, using a U-shaped loop design and tensile forces to manage the material, ensuring parallel alignment and symmetrical discharge to prevent damage and ensure continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the weft material is deflected by 90 degrees when drawn off between the loop in the storage container and the production line, then the intermediate storage function is achieved, but the brittle carbon fibers are in danger of breaking and the composite tape structure is undesirably broken up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deflection direction from the width direction (90 degrees) to the length direction (minimal deflection). The storage container is designed with a longitudinal axis parallel to the weft insertion direction, allowing the U-shaped loop to form along the length of the container rather than requiring width-direction deflection. This dimensional change preserves the integrity of carbon fiber tapes while achieving intermediate storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage container is designed with asymmetric features: one opening for feeding weft material and another for discharge, with the interior delimited by two narrow sides extending in the longitudinal direction. This asymmetric configuration enables the U-shaped loop to form in a specific orientation that minimizes deflection of the width direction, protecting the tape structure while maintaining storage function.
2Productivity
If two supply spools are used to allow continuous operation when one runs out, then production continuity is improved, but the device complexity increases without known solution for sensitive ribbon-like weft material
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent storage containers, each handling one supply spool and its associated U-shaped loop. This segmentation allows each container to operate independently with its own drive device and control system. When one supply spool runs out, the other can continue operation without interference, enabling production continuity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal storage system where both storage containers share the same design principles and structural features. Each container can handle ribbon-like weft material with minimal deflection, and both are controlled by a centralized control unit that can manage either or both simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle two different supply spools while maintaining the same protective features for sensitive materials.
3Speed
If the supply reels are accelerated and decelerated in very short time at higher take-off speeds, then the weaving speed is improved, but the intermediate storage becomes necessary to prevent material damage
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped loop is formed and stored in the storage container before it is needed for weft insertion. This preliminary storage allows the supply spool to be accelerated and decelerated rapidly for high-speed weaving operations without directly affecting the tension and integrity of the weft material. The pre-formed loop acts as a buffer that decouples the acceleration dynamics from the material handling, enabling high speed while protecting material integrity.
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
The solution minimizes deflections and allows for continuous operation by feeding and storing ribbon-like weft materials from two spools without the need for deflection in the width direction, protecting sensitive materials and maintaining uninterrupted production.
Implementation Method 1
means for applying a first tensile force to the first weft material, the first tensile force pointing in the longitudinal direction of the first storage container from the opening for the first weft material inwards into the inner space of the first storage container
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the intermediate storage of two band-like weft materials (1, 21) for a weaving machine (3), having two storage containers (7, 27) in each of which a U-shaped loop (12, 22) of a weft material (1, 21) can be formed. According to the invention, means (14, 34) for applying tensile forces (15, 35) to the weft material (1, 21) in the inner chamber (9, 29) of the respective storage container (7, 27) are provided. The inner chambers (9, 29) of the two storage containers (7, 27) each turn one of the narrow sides (10, 30) thereof toward each other. Deflection elements (16, 36) are arranged on the storage containers (7, 27) respectively such that the respective weft material (1, 21) can be fed to the inner chamber (9, 29) in a region (17, 37) which is closer to the narrow side (11, 31) of said inner chamber (9, 29) which does not face the inner chamber (9, 29) of the other storage container (7, 27).