Weft Yarn Feeding Arrangement with Stationary Sensor Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arrangements for feeding weft yarn to jet looms do not effectively optimize energy and fluid consumption, leading to inefficiencies in productivity.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement with a weft creel having cone holders and yarn brake units, equipped with yarn sensor units that measure intrinsic yarn characteristics and are connected to a control unit for optimizing the fluid feed of the jet loom, with multiple sensor units assigned to each yarn path to improve measurement precision and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If yarn sensor units are mounted on a separate stand between creel and storage unit, then intrinsic yarn characteristics can be measured, but measurement precision is reduced due to yarn oscillations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The yarn sensor unit is integrated into the creel structure rather than being placed on a separate stand, changing the spatial dimension of sensor placement. This integration positions the sensor in a different spatial context where yarn oscillations are minimized, thereby improving measurement precision without adding device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The yarn sensor unit is merged with the creel structure, combining the sensor functionality with the existing yarn feeding apparatus. This integration eliminates the need for a separate stand and reduces yarn oscillations by positioning the sensor within the creel's structural framework

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple yarn sensor units are provided for each yarn path, then measurement precision and control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The yarn sensor units are designed with multi-functionality, measuring multiple intrinsic yarn characteristics (mass per length unit, diameter, density, surface structure, hairiness, material composition) simultaneously. This allows a single sensor unit to perform multiple measurement functions, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement function is segmented into multiple sensor units, each assigned to specific yarn paths. This segmentation allows precise measurement of different yarn characteristics along different paths, improving overall measurement precision while distributing the complexity across modular units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If jet loom operates without optimization based on yarn characteristics, then device complexity is low, but energy and fluid consumption are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives data from the yarn sensor units about intrinsic yarn characteristics and uses this feedback to optimize the jet loom's fluid feed and energy consumption. The feedback loop allows the system to adjust operational parameters based on real-time yarn measurements, reducing energy and fluid consumption while the complexity is managed through integrated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The yarn sensor units measure intrinsic yarn characteristics before the yarn enters the jet loom, allowing the control unit to pre-optimize fluid feed and energy parameters. This preliminary measurement and optimization approach reduces energy and fluid consumption during actual loom operation, with the complexity of optimization built into the control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3325701B1Arrangement for feeding weft yarn
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP3325701B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3325701B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3325701B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The arrangement is for feeding weft yarn ( 10) along several yarn paths to a jet loom. lt comprises a weft creel (1) having several cone holders (21, 21',... ) and severyl yarn brake units (30, 30",...). A cone holder (21, 21',...) and a yarn brake (30, 30",...) are assigned to each yarn path. A plurality of yarn sensor units (40, 40',...) are configured for determining at least one intrinsic characteristic of a weft yarn and for being connected to a control unit for controlling a fluid feed of the jet loom. A yarn sensor unit (40, 40',...) is assigned to each of the yarn paths. Each yarn sensor unit (40, 40",...) is mounted stationarily on the weft creel (1).