CN114630932B

CN114630932B - Movable lever for a gripper clamp

Info

Publication number: CN114630932B
Application number: CN202080079035.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·维克莱特; D·德米尔斯曼; R·库伦比尔
Original assignee: Picanol NV
Current assignee: Picanol NV
Priority date: 2019-11-13
Filing date: 2020-09-23
Publication date: 2023-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-23
Also published as: EP3822400A1; EP3822400B1; BE1027704B1; WO2021094023A1; EP3822400C0; CN114630932A; BE1027704A1

Abstract

A movable bar (3) for a gripper (2) of a gripper (1) of a gripper loom, the movable bar (3) having a first contact surface (4), the first contact surface (4) being intended to cooperate with a second contact surface (6) of a counter element (5), the second contact surface (6) being arranged opposite the first contact surface (4), wherein the first contact surface (4) is provided with an inwardly arched portion (13), the inwardly arched portion (13) being curved about an axis (a) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the movable bar (3), and the inwardly arched portion (13) extending longitudinally along the axis (a), wherein the width of the inwardly arched portion (13) is at least twice its height. A gripper with a movable lever, a gripper with a gripper and a gripper loom.

Description

Movable lever for a gripper clamp

Technical Field

The present application relates to a gripper with a movable lever for a gripper of a gripper weaving machine, to a movable lever for a gripper, to a gripper and to a gripper weaving machine.

Background

As is well known, a gripper loom generally comprises two grippers for transporting a weft yarn through a weaving shed, for example called a traction gripper and a receiving gripper, wherein the traction gripper is designed to guide the weft yarn through a first half of the weaving shed and the receiving gripper is designed to guide the weft yarn through a second half of the weaving shed after the weft yarn has been picked up from the traction gripper.

In order to grip a weft thread during transport, grippers are known which have a grip with a movable lever pivotally mounted to a gripper body, which is pushed towards a counter element which is mounted to or is part of the gripper body.

EP 0 207 533 A1 discloses a clip having a movable rod in the form of a needle with a circular cross section and a counter element in the form of a cutter head provided with a groove, preferably with a V-shaped groove, the upper surface of which is arranged opposite the needle.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present application is to provide a movable lever for a gripper clamp of a gripper loom, a gripper clamp with a movable lever, a gripper and a gripper loom, which achieve a firm clamping of different wefts without causing damage to the wefts.

According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a movable lever for a gripper clamp of a gripper loom, the movable lever having a first contact surface for cooperation with a second contact surface of a counter element, the second contact surface being arranged opposite to the first contact surface, wherein the first contact surface is provided with an inwardly arched portion, which is curved about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the movable lever, and which extends longitudinally along the axis, wherein the width of the inwardly arched portion is at least twice its height.

In the context of the present application, the expression "the arched portion extends longitudinally along an axis" is used to describe that the arched portion has a longitudinal extension in the direction of said axis, wherein said axis is also referred to as the longitudinal direction of the arched portion. Further, in the context of the present application, a arched portion having a width at least twice its height is also referred to as a flat arched portion.

The movable bar with the flat inward arched portion allows a reliable clamping to be achieved, wherein the weft thread can be clamped between the movable bar and the counter element by means of a clamping force which has an at least substantially uniform force distribution along the width of the clamping zone of the thread clamp and only a small deflection, so that the risk of damaging or breaking the weft thread is reduced.

The cross-section of the movable rod is chosen by the person skilled in the art such that the rod has sufficient rigidity and low weight. In an embodiment of the application, the movable rod has a rectangular, in particular rounded rectangular, form in cross section.

In one embodiment, the curvature of the inwardly arched portion is in the form of an oval or elliptical arc, in particular an oval or elliptical arc, which in one embodiment is also symmetrical with respect to the mid-plane of the inwardly arched portion. In the context of the present application, the plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the inwardly arched portion and intersecting the inwardly arched portion through its apex is referred to as the mid-plane of the arched portion. In a particular embodiment of the movable bar, the curvature of the inwardly arched portion is in the form of a circular arc. This allows in particular for a simple and cost-effective manufacture.

In one embodiment, the curvature of the arched portion extends between opposite edge regions of the first contact surface. In other embodiments, the first contact surface is provided with two flat surface portions at its edge region, wherein the inwardly arched portion is arranged between the two flat surface portions. Providing a flat surface at the edge area allows for a simple manufacturing while avoiding sharp edges. In addition, the movable bar with the arched portion and the flat surface portion can be combined with a different counter element with a complementary arched portion at the second contact surface or with a flat second contact surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the first contact surface is provided with at least two recesses extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the movable bar. In one embodiment, the recess is provided in a region of the inwardly domed section extending from a surface thereof. In other embodiments, the recess is disposed at least partially adjacent to the inwardly domed portion. The recesses allow for a combination of the movable bar and counter elements with protruding ribs, wherein the position, number, shape and size of the recesses are selected to be complementary to the position, number, shape and size of the protruding ribs. In one embodiment, the first contact surface is provided with an even number of recesses arranged symmetrically with respect to the mid-plane of the inwardly arched portion. As explained above, in the context of the present application, the plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the inwardly arched portion and intersecting the inwardly arched portion through its apex is referred to as the mid-plane of the inwardly arched portion.

In yet another embodiment of the movable bar, the first contact surface is provided with two flat surface portions at its edge region, wherein the inwardly arched portion is arranged between the two flat surface portions, and wherein the first contact surface is further provided with two recesses extending longitudinally along at least a part of the movable bar, said recesses being arranged at both sides and being arranged symmetrically with respect to a middle plane of the inwardly arched portion, and wherein each of said two recesses is arranged between the inwardly arched portion and one of said flat surface portions. This movable bar can be combined with several different counter-elements to reliably grip the weft thread.

In an embodiment of the movable bar, the inner edge of each of the two notches is offset inwardly to the outer edge of the notch. In other words, the inner and outer edges extend curvature of the arched portion. In one embodiment, the offset is selected such that the arched portion, the inner edge, and the outer edge are disposed on a common arc.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a gripper for a gripper loom, comprising a movable bar with a first contact surface having a flat inward arched portion, and a counter element provided with a second contact surface arranged opposite to the first contact surface.

In one embodiment, the second contact surface of the counter element is flat. In other embodiments, the second contact surface is provided with an outwardly arched portion that is complementary in shape to the inwardly arched portion of the movable bar. Such a clip advantageously allows good gripping with an at least substantially uniform force distribution while avoiding strong deformations of the weft thread, which might lead to damage to the weft thread or thread breakage.

In one embodiment, the counter element is part of the projectile body. In other embodiments, the counter element is a sheet. The lamina can be mounted to the projectile body. In one embodiment, the lamina can be mounted to the projectile body so as to be replaceable, for example, when worn or torn.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a gripper for a gripper loom, comprising a gripper body and a gripper.

In one embodiment, the movable bar is at least partially elastically deformable and is forced against the counter element due to its internal restoring force. In other embodiments, the movable lever is pivotally mounted to the gripper body, wherein the movable lever is forced towards the counter element by use of at least one elastic element. This allows a rigid movable rod and a high clamping force to be achieved. In particular, in one embodiment, the movable bar is a two-sided bar, one of which is provided with a first contact surface, while the opposite end cooperates with the elastic element to force the first end towards the counter element.

In one embodiment, the counter element is part of the projectile body. In other embodiments, the counter element is a lamina mounted to the projectile body, wherein in particular at least one elastic support element is provided on the projectile body and at least a portion of the lamina opposite the second contact surface is supported on the projectile body via the at least one elastic support element. The elastic support element influences the clamping force applied to the weft thread. In one embodiment, the at least one elastic support element and/or sheet is exchangeable, wherein several different, interchangeable sheets and/or several different, interchangeable elastic support elements are provided, allowing customization of the gripper for different weft threads and/or different weaving conditions (e.g. different weaving speeds).

According to a fourth aspect, a gripper weaving machine is provided comprising a gripper with a gripper according to one of the embodiments described above. The gripper with the weft gripper according to the application is used in particular as a traction gripper, also called a carrier gripper, which guides the weft through the first half of the weaving shed.

Drawings

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Fig. 1 shows a gripper in an exploded view.

Fig. 2 illustrates selected portions of the projectile of fig. 1 in a side view.

Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of the clip with movable bar and counter element in a cross section along line II-II in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the clip with movable bar and counter element of fig. 3 in a cross section along line II-II in fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the clip with movable bar and counter element of fig. 3 in a cross section along line II-II in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the clip with movable bar and counter element in a cross section along line II-II in fig. 2.

Fig. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the clip with the movable bar and counter element of fig. 6 in a cross section along line II-II in fig. 2.

Fig. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the clip with the movable bar and counter element of fig. 6 in a cross section along line II-II in fig. 2.

Fig. 9 shows a seventh embodiment of the clip with the movable bar and counter element of fig. 6 in a cross section along line II-II in fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a gripper 1 in an exploded view, in particular a traction gripper of a gripper weaving machine (not shown), and fig. 2 shows selected parts of the gripper 1 of fig. 1 in a side view.

The gripper 1 has a gripper body 7, a gripper 2, a cover plate 20 and a guide element 21 arranged between the gripper body 7 and the cover plate 20. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the guide element 21 is merely optional and that in other embodiments the guide element 21 is omitted. In alternative embodiments, the gripper body 7 and the cover plate 20 can be made in one piece.

The gripper body 7 is shown in the form of a profile, which can be attached to a rapier or gripper belt (not shown) in a known manner for moving the gripper 1 through the weaving shed.

The clip 2 comprises a movable rod 3 with a first contact surface 4 and a counter element 5 provided with a second contact surface 6, which second contact surface 6 is arranged opposite the first contact surface 4.

The movable lever 3 is mounted to the gripper body 7 so as to pivot about a pivot axis 10. In the embodiment shown, the movable lever 3 is a double-sided lever having two arms 8, 9 arranged at opposite sides of the pivot axis 10 of the movable lever 3. The first arm 8 of the movable bar 3 is provided with a first contact surface 4 and is forced towards the counter element 5 by means of a resilient element 11, which resilient element 11 in the shown embodiment is in the form of a spring which acts on the second arm 9 of the movable bar 3.

In the embodiment shown, the counter element 5 is a sheet mounted to the gripper body 7. More particularly, in the embodiment shown, the counter element 5 is mounted to the gripper body 7 in the region of the second contact surface 6 and is supported by means of three elastic support elements 12, which elastic support elements 12 support the counter element 5 and force at least a portion of the counter element 5 provided with the second contact surface 6 towards the movable rod 3. The number of resilient support elements 12 is by way of example only, and in other embodiments more or less than three resilient support elements 12 are provided, for example one or two resilient support elements 12 are provided. In the embodiment shown, the three elastic support elements 12 and the counter element 5 are exchangeable, wherein in one embodiment the elements are exchanged if required due to wear and tear. In other embodiments, several different, interchangeable counter-elements 5 and/or several different, interchangeable elastic support elements 12 are provided, allowing to customize the shuttles 1 for different weft threads and/or different weaving conditions.

Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of the clip 2 with the movable rod 3 and the counter element 5 in a cross section along the line II-II in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 3, the first contact surface 4 of the movable rod 3 is provided with an inwardly arched portion 13, which inwardly arched portion 13 extends longitudinally along the movable rod 3 (i.e. perpendicular to the drawing plane). More particularly, the inward camber 13 extends longitudinally along an axis a parallel to the longitudinal direction of the movable rod 3. The inwardly arched portion 13 has a smooth surface and has a width W which is at least twice its height H. The width W of the inwardly arched portion 13 is defined as its extension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, i.e. horizontal extension in the drawing plane, between its opposite ends. The height H is defined as its extension between the apex 30 and the edge 31 of the inwardly arched portion 13, i.e. its vertical extension in the plane of the drawing shown. The plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the intrados portion 13 and intersecting the intrados portion 13 through its apex 30 is referred to as the median plane M of the intrados portion 13. In the embodiment shown, the inwardly arched portion 13 is symmetrical about a middle plane M, which is the center plane of the cross section of the movable rod 3. More particularly, in the embodiment shown, the curvature of the inward arching 13 is in the form of a circular arc. This allows for a simple and cost-effective manufacture. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the inward camber portion 13 is not completely symmetrical, but is slightly asymmetrical about the mid-plane M. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the median plane M is not aligned symmetrically with the central plane of the cross section of the movable rod, but is slightly offset from the central plane of the cross section of the movable rod.

The inwardly arched portion 13 is arched about an axis a, which is also referred to as the central axis a of the inwardly arched portion 13 in the form of a circular arc. The central axis a lies in the median plane M. In the embodiment shown, the movable rod 3 has, in addition to the inwardly arched portion 13, a rounded rectangular cross section, which is also preferably symmetrical about the median plane M.

If the inwardly arched portion 13 is in the form of a circular arc, the aspect ratio W/H depends on the central angle α and the radius R. In the illustrated embodiment, the central angle is between about 40 ° and about 70 °, and particularly about 55 °.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the second contact surface 6 at the counter element 5 is provided with an outwardly arched portion 14, which outwardly arched portion 14 is complementary in shape to the inwardly arched portion 13 of the movable bar 3. In the embodiment shown, the curvature of the inward arching portion 13 and the curvature of the outward arching portion 14 are both in the form of circular arcs having a common central axis a, wherein the radius of curvature of the inward arching portion 13 is at least nearly the same as the radius of curvature of the outward arching portion 14, allowing the inward arching portion 13 and the outward arching portion 14 to abut each other in the absence of a weft thread. In an embodiment, the radius of curvature of the inward camber portion 13 is slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the outward camber portion 14, so that a small gap of constant thickness is formed between the two camber portions 13 and 14 for gripping the weft thread.

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the clip 2 with the movable rod 3 and the counter element 5 in a cross section along the line II-II in fig. 2. The counter element 5 shown in fig. 4 is identical to the counter element 5 shown in fig. 3. The movable bar 3 shown in fig. 4 differs from the movable bar 3 of fig. 3 in that the first contact surface 4 is further provided with two flat surface portions 15 at its edge area in addition to the inwardly arched portion 13, wherein the inwardly arched portion 13 is arranged between the two flat surface portions 15. As shown in fig. 4, if the counter element 5 is not provided with a corresponding flat surface portion, the movable bar 3 contacts the counter element 5 only with the inwardly arched portion 13 when closing the clip 2. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in alternative embodiments, the movable bar 3 shown in fig. 3 can be combined with a counter element having only a flat second contact surface, wherein the movable bar 3 contacts such a counter element only with the flat surface portion 15 when closing the clip 2.

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the clip 2 with the movable rod 3 and the counter element 5 in a cross section along the line II-II in fig. 2. The counter element 5 shown in fig. 4 is identical to the counter element 5 shown in fig. 3, and the movable bar 3 shown in fig. 5 is similar to the movable bar 3 shown in fig. 3, wherein the first contact surface 4 is provided with an inwardly arched portion 13 and the second contact surface 6 is provided with an outwardly arched portion 14. The curvature of the two arches is in the form of circular arcs that are concentric with each other. In contrast to the embodiment of fig. 3, however, in the embodiment of fig. 5 the width W13 of the inwardly arched portion 13 of the movable rod 3 is smaller than the width W14 of the outwardly arched portion 14 of the counter element 5.

Fig. 6 shows, in a cross section along the line II-II in fig. 2, a fourth embodiment of the clip 2 with the movable rod 3 and the counter element 5, which is similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 4, wherein the first contact surface 4 is provided with an inwardly arched portion 13 and two flat surface portions 15 provided at the edge areas of the inwardly arched portion 13. In contrast to the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the first contact surface 4 is further provided with two recesses 16 extending longitudinally along the movable rod 3. The notches 16 are symmetrically arranged about a mid-plane M of the inwardly arched portion 13, and each of the notches 16 is arranged between the inwardly arched portion 13 and one of the flat surface portions 15.

In the embodiment shown, the inner edge 17 of the recess 16 is offset inwardly to the outer edge 18 of the recess 16, in other words, the inner edge 17 of the recess 16 arranged closer to the middle plane M is offset inwardly to the outer edge 18 of the recess 16 arranged further from the middle plane M. More particularly, in the embodiment shown, the inner edge 17 and the outer edge 18 are arranged on a curved virtual arc extending towards the inwardly arched portion 13. This allows the outer edge 18 to be in contact with the outwardly arched portion 14 when the inwardly arched portion 13 is in contact with the outwardly arched portion 14 (in other words, when the clip 2 is in the closed state).

As will be shown hereinafter, the movable bar 3 of the embodiment of fig. 6 can be combined with several different counter elements 5 to grip a weft yarn.

Fig. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the clip 2 with the movable rod 3 and the counter element 5 in a cross section along the line II-II in fig. 2. The movable lever 3 shown in fig. 7 is the same as the movable lever 3 shown in fig. 6. In contrast to the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the second contact surface 6 of the counter element 5 shown in fig. 7 is flat and is not provided with an outwardly arched portion, wherein the movable bar 3 contacts such counter element 5 only with the flat surface portion 15 when closing the clip 2.

Fig. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the clip 2 with the movable rod 3 and the counter element 5 in a cross section along the line II-II in fig. 2. The movable lever 3 shown in fig. 8 is the same as the movable lever 3 shown in fig. 6. In contrast to the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the second contact surface of the counter element 5 shown in fig. 7 is flat and is not provided with an outwardly arched portion, wherein the movable bar 3 contacts such counter element 5 only with the flat surface portion 15 when closing the clip 2. In addition, the counter element 5 shown in fig. 8 is provided with a longitudinal groove 36 arranged opposite the inwardly arched portion 13 of the movable bar 3.

Fig. 9 shows a seventh embodiment of the clip 2 with the movable rod 3 and the counter element 5 in a cross section along the line II-II in fig. 2. The movable lever 3 shown in fig. 9 is the same as the movable lever 3 shown in fig. 6. In contrast to the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the second contact surface 6 of the counter element 5 shown in fig. 7 is flat and is not provided with an outwardly arched portion, wherein the movable bar 3 contacts such counter element 5 only with the flat surface portion 15 when closing the clip 2. In addition, the counter element 5 shown in fig. 9 is provided with two longitudinally extending ribs 37, which two longitudinally extending ribs 37 are arranged at the second contact surface opposite the recess 16 of the first contact surface. When the clip 2 is closed, the rib 37 is received in the recess 16.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the movable bar 3 shown in fig. 6 to 9 can be combined with several different counter elements 5. In an embodiment of the application several different, interchangeable counter-elements 5 are provided in the form of sheets, allowing customization of the clips 2 for different wefts and/or different weaving conditions.

Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in alternative embodiments, the various features described in connection with the various embodiments can be combined in any combination to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description.

Claims

1. Gripper for a gripper (1) of a gripper weaving machine, comprising a movable bar (3) and a counter element (5), the movable bar (3) having a first contact surface (4), the first contact surface (4) being intended to cooperate with a second contact surface (6) of the counter element (5), the second contact surface (6) being arranged opposite the first contact surface (4),

the first contact surface (4) is provided with an inwardly arched portion (13), the inwardly arched portion (13) being curved about an axis (a) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the movable bar (3), and the inwardly arched portion (13) extending longitudinally along the axis (a), wherein the width of the inwardly arched portion (13) is at least twice its height.

2. A wire clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the curvature of the inwardly arched portion (13) is in the form of a circular arc.

3. Clip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first contact surface (4) is provided with two flat surface portions (15) at its edge region, wherein the inwardly arched portion (13) is arranged between the two flat surface portions (15).

4. The wire clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first contact surface (4) is provided with at least two recesses (16) extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the movable rod (3).

5. A wire clamp according to claim 4, characterized in that the first contact surface (4) is provided with an even number of recesses (16), which even number of recesses (16) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the mid-plane (M) of the inwardly arched portion (13).

6. The wire clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first contact surface (4) is provided with two flat surface portions (15) at its edge area, wherein the inwardly arched portion (13) is arranged between the two flat surface portions (15), and wherein the first contact surface (4) is provided with two recesses (16) extending longitudinally along at least a part of the movable rod (3), the recesses (16) being arranged at both sides and being arranged symmetrically with respect to a middle plane (M) of the inwardly arched portion (13), and wherein each of the two recesses (16) is arranged between the inwardly arched portion (13) and one of the flat surface portions (15).

7. The clip according to claim 6, characterized in that an inner edge (17) of each of the two recesses (16) is offset inwardly to an outer edge (18) of the recess (16).

8. A wire clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second contact surface (6) is provided with an outwardly arched portion (14), the outwardly arched portion (14) being complementary in shape to the inwardly arched portion (13) of the movable bar (3).

9. Clip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the counter element (5) is a sheet.

10. A wire clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the curvature of the inwardly arched portion (13) is in the form of a circular arc having a central angle (a) and a radius (R), and wherein the central angle (a) of the circular arc is between 40 ° and 70 °.

11. A clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that the central angle (a) of the arc is 55 °.

12. A movable lever for a gripper (2) of a gripper (1) of a gripper loom, characterized in that the movable lever is a movable lever (3) for a gripper (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Gripper for a gripper weaving machine, comprising a gripper body (7) and a thread clamp (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. Gripper according to claim 13, characterized in that the movable rod (3) is pivotably mounted to the gripper body (7), wherein the movable rod (3) is forced towards the counter element (5) by using at least one elastic element (11).

15. Gripper according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the counter element (5) is a lamina, which lamina is mounted to the gripper body (7).

16. Gripper according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one elastic support element (12) is provided on the gripper body (7), wherein at least a portion of the lamina opposite the second contact surface (6) is supported on the gripper body (7) via the at least one elastic support element (12).

17. Gripper loom comprising a gripper according to any one of claims 13 to 16.