EP0690160B1 - Weft insertion method and apparatus for rapier loom - Google Patents
Weft insertion method and apparatus for rapier loom Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0690160B1 EP0690160B1 EP95108182A EP95108182A EP0690160B1 EP 0690160 B1 EP0690160 B1 EP 0690160B1 EP 95108182 A EP95108182 A EP 95108182A EP 95108182 A EP95108182 A EP 95108182A EP 0690160 B1 EP0690160 B1 EP 0690160B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- weft
- magnetic force
- movable
- feeding
- rapier head
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D47/00—Looms in which bulk supply of weft does not pass through shed, e.g. shuttleless looms, gripper shuttle looms, dummy shuttle looms
- D03D47/12—Looms in which bulk supply of weft does not pass through shed, e.g. shuttleless looms, gripper shuttle looms, dummy shuttle looms wherein single picks of weft thread are inserted, i.e. with shedding between each pick
- D03D47/20—Constructional features of the thread-engaging device on the inserters
- D03D47/23—Thread grippers
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D47/00—Looms in which bulk supply of weft does not pass through shed, e.g. shuttleless looms, gripper shuttle looms, dummy shuttle looms
- D03D47/12—Looms in which bulk supply of weft does not pass through shed, e.g. shuttleless looms, gripper shuttle looms, dummy shuttle looms wherein single picks of weft thread are inserted, i.e. with shedding between each pick
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D47/00—Looms in which bulk supply of weft does not pass through shed, e.g. shuttleless looms, gripper shuttle looms, dummy shuttle looms
- D03D47/12—Looms in which bulk supply of weft does not pass through shed, e.g. shuttleless looms, gripper shuttle looms, dummy shuttle looms wherein single picks of weft thread are inserted, i.e. with shedding between each pick
- D03D47/20—Constructional features of the thread-engaging device on the inserters
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D47/00—Looms in which bulk supply of weft does not pass through shed, e.g. shuttleless looms, gripper shuttle looms, dummy shuttle looms
- D03D47/27—Drive or guide mechanisms for weft inserting
- D03D47/271—Rapiers
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03J—AUXILIARY WEAVING APPARATUS; WEAVERS' TOOLS; SHUTTLES
- D03J1/00—Auxiliary apparatus combined with or associated with looms
- D03J1/04—Auxiliary apparatus combined with or associated with looms for treating weft
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a rapier loom for weaving fabric by inserting a weft into a shed defined between warps by using at least one rapier head moved reciprocatively through the shed. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a weft insertion method and an apparatus for carrying out the same for a rapier loom of the type mentioned above.
- the weft transferred to the receiving rapier head is caused to pass through the shed by retracting (i.e., moving backwardly) the receiving rapier head.
- Each of the feeding rapier head and the receiving rapier head is constituted by a combination of a stationary gripper member and a movable gripper member.
- the latter is positioned to a mid position substantially corresponding to a center of the fabric being woven as viewed in the widthwise direction thereof in a standby state in which the associated gripper members are opened.
- the feeding rapier head releases the weft at the mid position mentioned above.
- the weft as released is then gripped by the receiving rapier head.
- the weft transfer between the feeding rapier head and the receiving rapier head has been accomplished.
- the above-mentioned opening/closing operation of the rapier heads at the mid position of the fabric as viewed in the direction widthwise thereof is executed by a pair of levers constituting parts of a clamp opener disposed underneath the fabric. More specifically, the clamp opener is driven by a servo-motor which is controlled in conformance with movements of both the rapier heads, each of which is also adapted to be driven by a servo-motor.
- a driving system for driving controllably the clamp opener and the rapier heads is adopted for the purpose of realizing the weft transfer from the feeding rapier head to the receiving rapier head while avoiding the possibility of injuring or damaging the weft.
- the levers of the clamp opener for opening and closing the rapier heads are so arranged as to enter the inter-warp shed space from the underside of the lower warp layer by pushing aside the individual warps.
- This motion of the clamp opener levers is carried out once for every weft insertion shot or cycle.
- a weft inserting apparatus of this kind having a weft inserter and a receiver which meet in the shed and transfer a weft from one to the other.
- spring loaded pivotable jaws close to gripp the watt wherein the one jaw is ld in ist closed position against the spring load by a catch.
- the receiver has a fixed jaw and a pivotable spring loaded jaw that is held in ist open position against the spring load by a catch.
- a first electromagnet built-in the receiver is operated to release the catch of the receiver so as to grip the weft, still held by the inserter.
- a second electromagnet built-in the inserter is then operated to release the catch of the inserter so as to release the weft.
- the present invention is directed to a rapier loom for weaving a fabric by inserting a weft through a shed formed by warps by using at least one rapier head constituted by a combination of a stationary gripper member and a movable gripper member into said shed.
- a weft insertion method which features that the aforementioned movable gripper member is so implemented as to respond to a magnetic force of a magnetic force exerting means in the form of an electromagnetic means to thereby assume selectively a weft grip position and a weft release position, that the magnetic force exerting means is changed over between a first state in which the magnetic force exerting means exerts a magnetic force to the movable gripper member and a second state in which the magnetic force exerting means exerts no magnetic force to the movable gripper member, and that the movable gripper member is positionally changed over between the weft grip position and the weft release position by switching the magnetic force exerting means between the first state and the second state mentioned above, wherein the weft is gripped by the movable gripper member when the movable gripper member is changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position, while the weft is released when the movable grip
- the movable gripper member is disposed at the weft grip position when the magnetic force of the magnetic force exerting means does not act on the movable gripper member, while the magnetic force of the magnetic force exerting means acts on the movable gripper member, the latter is disposed at the weft release position.
- the movable gripper member is displaced (i.e., positionally changed over) to the weft grip position from the weft release position.
- the weft is gripped between the stationary gripper member and the movable gripper member.
- the movable gripper member is displaced to the weft release position from the weft grip position.
- the weft is released from the state gripped or grasped between the stationary gripper member and the movable gripper member.
- the latter Upon transfer of the weft from the feeding rapier head to the receiving rapier head, the latter waits for arrival of the receiving rapier head at a weft transfer position, e.g. at a mid position as viewed in the direction widthwise of the fabric being woven, while the movable gripper member of the receiving rapier head is disposed at the weft release position.
- the movable gripper member of the receiving rapier head Upon arrival of the feeding rapier head gripping the weft at the weft transfer position, the movable gripper member of the receiving rapier head is caused to assume the weft grip position, whereupon the weft is gripped by the receiving rapier head, while the movable gripper member of the feeding rapier head is positioned at the weft release position, whereupon the weft gets rid of the gripping action of the feeding rapier head.
- the electromagnetic means is first applied with an over-excitation voltage, which is then followed by application of a rated voltage.
- the movable gripper member is positionally changed over between a weft grip position and a weft release position by switching the electromagnetic means between the first and second states mentioned above.
- the weft is gripped by the movable gripper member by positionally switching the movable gripper member from the weft release position to the weft grip position, while the weft is released when the movable gripper member is changed over to the weft release position from the weft grip position.
- the over-excitation voltage is first applied to the electromagnet upon application of the magnetic force thereof to the movable gripper member, which is then followed by application of the rated voltage. Due to application of the over-excitation voltage, the positional change-over of the movable gripper member from the weft grip position to the weft release position is performed rapidly, whereby the loom can be operated at an increased speed, to an advantage.
- a weft inserting apparatus which apparatus features that the movable gripper member is at least partially composed of a magnetic force responsive portion, and that a magnetic force exerting means is installed at a position in the vicinity of the weft insertion path, wherein the movable gripper member is exchangeably positioned between a weft grip position and a weft release position by switching the state of the magnetic force exerting means between a first state in which magnetic force of the a magnetic force exerting means acts on the magnetic force responsive portion of the movable gripper member and a second state in which the magnetic force of the magnetic force exerting means does not act on the magnetic force responsive portion.
- a weft inserting apparatus which features that it is comprised of a first magnetic force responsive member constituting at least a portion of the movable feeding gripper, a second magnetic force responsive member constituting at least a portion of the movable receiving gripper, a feeding magnetic force exerting means disposed in the vicinity of a weft insertion dead center point located on a weft insertion path of the feeding rapier head, a receiving magnetic force exerting
- a plurality of the feeding magnetic force exerting means may be disposed in series to one another along the weft insertion path of the feeding rapier head.
- a plurality of the receiving magnetic force exerting means may be disposed in series to one another along the weft insertion path of the receiving rapier head.
- the feeding rapier head undergoes sequentially the magnetic actions exerted by a plurality of feeding magnetic force exerting means disposed in series along the weft insertion path, while the receiving rapier head equally undergoes sequentially the magnetic actions of plural receiving magnetic force exerting means disposed serially along the welt insertion path.
- the receiving rapier head equally undergoes sequentially the magnetic actions of plural receiving magnetic force exerting means disposed serially along the welt insertion path.
- the magnetic force exerting means may be constituted by at least one electromagnet
- the weft inserting apparatus may further include a voltage application control means for controlling application of a voltage to the electromagnet, an applied voltage level setting means for setting a level of voltage applied to the electromagnet, a voltage application timing setting means for setting a timing at which the voltage is applied to the electromagnet.
- the timings at which the voltage is applied to the electromagnet is set at the voltage application timing setting means, while the voltage application control means commands the voltage application timings on the basis of the data set at the voltage application timing setting means.
- the voltage level setting means serves for setting the level of voltage to be applied at the preset timings.
- the voltage application timing control means as well as the timing/level setting means may be implemented in the form of, for example, a microcomputer.
- a buffer sheet of a soft material may be interposed between the magnetic force exerting means and the movable gripper member such that upon positioning of the movable gripper member at the weft release position, the weft is gripped between the buffer sheet and the movable gripper member.
- a weft insertion apparatus for a rapier loom according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described by reference to Figs. 1 to 4, in which a reference numeral 1 denotes a feeding rapier head which is adapted to be inserted into a shed defined between layers of warps (not shown) from a weft insertion starting side, and a numeral 2 denotes a receiving rapier head which is adapted to be inserted into the shed from a weft insertion end or terminal side.
- the feeding rapier head 1 and the receiving rapier head 2 are fixedly mounted at both tip end portions of rapier bands 3 and 4 which are wound around rapier wheels 5 and 6, respectively.
- the rapier wheels 5 and 6 are reciprocatively rotated in the directions opposite to each other. More specifically, the feeding rapier head 1 is inserted into the inter-warp shed upon forward rotation (i.e., rotation in a given one direction) of the rapier wheel 5, while the feeding rapier head 1 is retracted from the shed upon backward rotation (i.e., rotation in the direction opposite to the given one direction) of the rapier wheel 5. On the other hand, the receiving rapier head 2 is inserted into the shed defined by the warps upon forward rotation of the rapier wheel 6, while it is retracted upon backward rotation thereof.
- the feeding rapier head 1 is constituted by a combination of a stationary feeding gripper 7 made of a non-magnetic material and a movable feeding gripper 8 of a magnetic material.
- the stationary feeding gripper 7 is integrally formed with a supporting member 7a, a gripping surface 7b and a position limiting member 7c.
- Fixedly mounted on the supporting member 7a are the movable feeding gripper 8, a tip end portion of the rapier band 3 and a leaf spring 9 by means of clamping screws 10.
- the movable feeding gripper 8 is made of a metal material having a resiliency so as to serve as a spring.
- a gripping surface 8a is formed at a tip end portion of the movable feeding gripper 8.
- the gripping surfaces 7b and 8a are adapted to be detachably brought into contact with each other.
- the position limiting member 7c serves to restrict or limit the downward displacement of the movable feeding gripper 8.
- the receiving rapier head 2 is constituted by a combination of a stationary receiving gripper 11 made of a nonmagnetic material and a movable receiving gripper 12 of a magnetic material. Coupled rotatably or swingably to the stationary receiving gripper 11 is the movable receiving gripper 12 by means of a pivot 13.
- the movable receiving gripper 12 is made of a metal material. Formed at tip end portions of the stationary receiving gripper 11 and the movable receiving gripper 12, respectively, are gripping surfaces 11a and 12a facing oppositely to each other. The gripping surfaces 11a and 12a are adapted to be detachably brought into contact with each other.
- a tip end portion of the rapier band 4 is fixedly mounted on the movable receiving gripper 12 by means of clamping screws 14.
- the stationary receiving gripper 11 is integrally formed with a supporting member 11b and a position limiting member 11c.
- a compression spring 15 is interposed between the supporting member 11b and the movable receiving gripper 12.
- the position limiting member 11c serves as a stopper for limiting a downward movement of the movable receiving gripper 12.
- the feeding rapier head 1 and the receiving rapier head 2 are caused to move into the inter-warp shed upon forward rotations of the rapier wheels 5 and 6, respectively, and encounter each other at a mid position as viewed in the widthwise direction of a fabric being woven.
- the feeding rapier head 1 and the receiving rapier head 2 are caused to retract from the shed defined by the layers of warps.
- the position of the feeding rapier head 1 shown in Fig. 1 represents a position distanced at maximum from the inter-warp shed. This position will be referred to as the retraction dead center point or position.
- the state of the receiving rapier head 2 shown in Fig. 1 represents a position distanced maximally from the inter-warp shed. This position will be referred to as the retraction dead center position of the receiving rapier head 2.
- the receiving rapier head 2 is adapted to run on and along a slay 17 which supports a reed 16.
- the running path of the receiving rapier head 2 i.e., the weft insertion path, is so designed or determined as not to interface with the reed 16 when it is retracted farthest from the cloth fell of the fabric being woven.
- electromagnets 18 and 19 are mounted at both end or terminal portions, respectively, of the sley 17. More specifically, the electromagnet 18 is installed at a position immediately below the weft insertion path for the feeding rapier head 1, while the electromagnet 19 is installed at a position immediately underneath the weft insertion path of the receiving rapier head 2.
- a pair of electromagnets 20 and 21 are embedded in the sley 17 substantially at mid portions thereof, respectively.
- the electromagnet 20 is installed at a position immediately below the weft insertion path of the feeding rapier head 1, while the electromagnet 21 is disposed immediately beneath the weft insertion path of the receiving rapier head 2.
- a magnetic-field region over which the magnetic force of the electromagnet 18 is active lies in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position of the feeding rapier head 1, while a corresponding region of the electromagnet 19 lies in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position of the receiving rapier head 2.
- the magnetic-field region of the electromagnet 20 lies in the vicinity of the position at which the feeding rapier head 1 encounters the receiving rapier head 2, i.e., a so-called weft insertion dead center position of the feeding rapier head 1.
- the magnetic-field region of the electromagnet 21 lies in the vicinity of the position at which the receiving rapier head 2 encounters the feeding rapier head 1, i.e., the weft insertion dead center position of the receiving rapier head 2.
- the magnetic force of the electromagnet 18 acts on the movable feeding gripper 8 of the feeding rapier head 1 located in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position, while that of the electromagnet 20 acts on the movable feeding gripper 8 of the feeding rapier head 1 located in the vicinity of the weft insertion dead center position.
- the magnetic force of the electromagnet 21 acts on the movable receiving gripper 12 of the receiving rapier head 2 located in the vicinity of the weft insertion dead center position thereof.
- the movable feeding gripper 8 Under the influence of the magnetic forces of the electromagnets 18 and 20, the movable feeding gripper 8 is caused to bend or angularly move toward the electromagnets 18 and 20 around a fulcrum defined by the supporting member 7a against their own resiliences and that of the leaf spring 9. Due to this angular displacement, the movable feeding gripper 8 is positionally changed over to a weft release position shown in Fig. 3 from a weft grip position shown Fig. 2. The downward movement of the movable feeding gripper 8 is limited by the position limiting member 7c. In the state where the downward movement of the movable feeding gripper 8 is stopped by the position limiting member 7c, the movable feeding gripper 8 assumes a position closest to the electromagnet 18 or 20. However, the warps are positively prevented from being sandwiched between the movable feeding gripper 8 and the electromagnet 18; 20 and thus protected against any injury.
- the movable receiving gripper 12 is caused to bend or angularly move toward the electromagnets 19 and 21 around the pivot pin 13 against the spring force of the compression spring 15. Due to this angular displacement, the movable receiving gripper 12 is positionally changed over to a weft release position shown in Fig. 3 from a weft grip position shown Fig. 2.
- the downward movement of the movable receiving gripper 12 is limited by the stopper or position limiting member 11c. In the state where the downward movement of the movable receiving gripper 12 is limited by the position limiting member 11c, the movable receiving gripper 12 assumes a position closest to the electromagnet 19 or 21. However, the warps are positively prevented from being sandwiched between the movable receiving gripper 12 and the electromagnet 19; 21 and thus protected against any injury.
- the electromagnets 18, 19, 20 and 21 which serve as magnetic force exerting means are electrically energized through the driving circuits 22, 23, 24 and 25, respectively, under the control of a control computer C.
- the driving circuits 22 to 25 serving as applied voltage setting means apply a rated voltage V 0 to the electromagnets 18, 19, 20, 21, respectively.
- the control computer (or computerized controller, to say in another way) C serving as the voltage application control means is equipped with a voltage application timing setting unit 27 and a rotary encoder 28.
- the voltage application timing setting unit 27 serves for inputting to the control computer C the voltage application timing control signals for the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively.
- the rotary encoder 28 serves for detecting rotational angles or angular positions of the loom.
- the control computer C issues commands to the driving circuits 22 to 25 applications of the rated voltage V 0 , in response to which the driving circuits 22 to 25 apply the rated voltage V 0 to the electromagnets 18 to 21 at the preset timings, respectively.
- a waveform D 1 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the electromagnet 18, while a waveform D 2 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the electromagnet 19.
- a waveform E 1 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the electromagnet 20, while a waveform E 2 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the electromagnet 21.
- the voltage V is taken along the ordinate with a rotation angle (or angular position) ⁇ of the loom being taken along the abscissa.
- Each of the voltages represented by the waveforms D 1 , D 2 , E 1 and E 2 is a rated voltage V 0 .
- the timings Td 1 , Td 2 , Te 1 and Te 2 at which the rated voltage V 0 is applied are set by the voltage application timing setting unit 27 to be subsequently inputted to the control computer C.
- the control computer C issues voltage application commands to the driving circuits 22 to 25 on the basis of the angular position information of the loom as detected by the rotary encoder 28 and the information concerning the voltage application timings Td 1 , Td 2 , Te 1 and Te 2 , as supplied from the timing setting unit 27.
- the driving circuits 22 to 25 apply the rated voltage V 0 to the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively.
- the position of the movable feeding gripper 8 of the feeding rapier head 1 is changed over to the weft release position from the weft grip position.
- the feeding rapier head 1 then starts the weft insertion in the state in which the movable feeding gripper 8 is disposed at the weft release position.
- the position of the movable feeding gripper 8 is changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position in the vicinity of the retraction head center position.
- the weft Y is retained between the gripping surfaces 7b and 8a of the feeding grippers 7 and 8, respectively, of the feeding rapier head 1.
- the feeding rapier head 1 takes up the weft Y at a weft take-up position in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position, whereby the weft Y is inserted into the shed.
- the electromagnet 18 serves as the weft take-up magnetic means.
- the receiving rapier head 2 arrives at the weft insertion dead center position in precedence to the feeding rapier head 1.
- the movable receiving gripper 12 of the receiving rapier head 2 arrived at the weft insertion dead center position is changed over from the weft grip position to the weft release position in response to application of the voltage represented by the waveform E 2 .
- the receiving rapier head 2 then waits for arrival of the feeding rapier head 1 in the state in which the movable receiving gripper 12 is disposed at the weft release position.
- the weft Y retained by the feeding rapier head 1 arrived at the weft insertion dead center position is transferred to the receiving rapier head 2 to be thereby positioned between the gripping surfaces 11a and 12a thereof.
- the voltage application to the electromagnet 21 is interrupted, which results in that the movable receiving gripper 12 is changed over to the weft grip position from the weft release position.
- the weft Y is now retained between the gripping surfaces 11a and 12a of the receiving rapier head 2, as can be seen in Fig. 3.
- the movable feeding gripper 18 of the feeding rapier head 1 arrived at the weft insertion dead center position is changed over from the weft grip position to the weft release position in response to application of the voltage represented by the waveform E 1 .
- the weft Y gets rid of the gripping action of the feeding rapier head 2.
- the electromagnet 20 serves as the feeding magnetic force exerting means
- the electromagnet 21 serves as the receiving magnetic force exerting means.
- both the feeding rapier head 1 and the receiving rapier head 2 are moved backwardly or retracted toward the respective retraction dead center positions, whereby the weft Y held by the receiving rapier head 2 is caused to extend through the inter-warp shed.
- the movable receiving gripper 12 of the receiving rapier head 2 arrived at the weft release position located immediately before the retraction dead center position is changed over from the weft grip position to the weft release position in response to application of the voltage represented by the waveform D 2 .
- the weft Y gets rid of the gripping action of the receiving rapier head 2.
- the electromagnet 21 serves as the weft releasing magnetic force exerting means.
- the reed 16 starts beating operation from the most retracted position thereof.
- positions of the movable grippers 8 and 12 of the rapier heads 1 and 2, respectively, are changed over from the weft grip position to the weft release position under the action of the electromagnets 18 to 21.
- the movable grippers 8 and 12 Upon disappearance of influence of the magnetic force, the movable grippers 8 and 12 are changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position under the influence of the spring forces.
- the driving forces for positionally changing over the movable grippers 8 and 12 between the weft grip position and the weft release position are provided by the magnetic forces generated by the electromagnets 18 to 21 and the spring forces of the rapier heads 1 and 2 themselves.
- the mechanism for positionally changing over the movable grippers 8 and 12 between the weft grip position and the weft release position will never provide interference to the warps, which in turn means that the warps can positively be protected from injury upon operations of the rapier heads 1 and 2.
- the arrangement for positively actuating the movable grippers 8 and 12 under the action of the magnetic forces makes it possible to ensure the optimal timings for open/close operations of the rapier heads 1 and 2, whereby setting of the optimal timings for the gripping and release operations of the weft Y can be facilitated.
- easiness in setting the optimal timings for gripping and releasing of the weft Y can ensure reliable taking-up of the weft Y by the feeding rapier head 1 as well as reliable transfer of the weft Y from the feeding rapier head 1 to the receiving rapier head 2.
- the weft Y may also be caught without opening and closing the feeding rapier head 1.
- the arrangement that the weft Y is introduced into between the gripping surfaces 7b and 8a in the state where the movable feeding gripper 8 is disposed at the weft release position and then the movable feeding gripper 8 is disposed at the weft grip position is more reliable when compared with the arrangement of catching the weft Y with the feeding rapier head 1 in the closed state thereof.
- the timing at which the weft Y is released from the feeding rapier head 1 exerts influence to the final insertion posture or state of the weft Y, which in turn affects the quality of the fabric. Besides, easiness of setting the optimal timing for the release of the weft Y from the feeding rapier head 1 contributes to improvement of the fabric quality.
- the electromagnets 18 and 20 installed on the sley 17 and the movable feeding gripper 8 of the feeding rapier head 1 are positioned mutually very closely every time the magnetic forces of the electromagnets 18 and 20 become active. Thus, the magnetic forces of the electromagnets 18 and 20 can effectively act on the movable feeding gripper 8.
- the electromagnets 19 and 21 mounted on the sley 17 and the movable receiving gripper 12 of the receiving rapier head 2 are positioned mutually very closely upon activation of the electromagnets 19 and 21. Thus, the magnetic forces of the electromagnets 19 and 21 can effectively act on the movable receiving gripper 12.
- the movable feeding gripper 8 can be changed over to the weft grip position from the weft release position at a high speed.
- the spring force of the compression spring 15 it is possible to change over the movable receiving gripper 12 from the weft release position to the weft grip position at a high speed.
- the resiliency of the movable feeding gripper 8 itself and the spring force of the leaf spring 9 are selected to be sufficiently large for gripping the weft Y without fail.
- the spring force of the compression spring 15 is set large enough to grip the weft with reliability.
- the amplitude of the rated voltage V 0 is so selected as to be capable of changing over the movable grippers 8 and 12 from the weft grip position to the weft release position against the spring force mentioned above.
- the change-over of the movable grippers 8 and 12 between the weft grip position and the weft release position can be effected at a high speed.
- interposition of the leaf spring 9 in the manner mentioned previously facilitates the setting of the desired spring force.
- adjustment of the spring force of the leaf spring 9 can easily be realized by changing the number of the leaf springs 9 or the length thereof. It goes without saying that the high-speed positional change-over of the movable grippers 8 and 12 between the weft grip position and the weft release position allows the loom to operate at a high rotation speed.
- the apparatus for opening and closing the rapier heads 1 and 2 by using the electromagnets 18 to 21 according to the instant embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in a simplified structure of a compact size when compared with the clamp opener apparatus disclosed in JP-A-5-195373 mentioned previously.
- the lever for opening and closing the rapier head is brought into direct contact with the rapier head. Consequently, both the lever and the rapier heat undergo friction and abrasion, which results in error in the opening degree of the rapier head as well as the timings at which it is opened and closed. Besides, heat generated due to the friction impairs the precision of the parts constituting the rapier head.
- abrasion of the rapier head and deviation of precision of the parts provide obstruction to reliable transfer of the weft Y from the feeding (giver) rapier head to the receiver (taker) rapier head.
- the movable grippers 8 and 12 are changed over contactless between the weft grip position and the weft release position.
- the sley in the weft inserting apparatus is divided into three sley members 17a, 17b and 17c at a mid portion as viewed in the direction widthwise of the fabric.
- the individual sley members 17a, 17b and 17c are supported via sley swords 29 on a rocking shaft 30 (see Fig. 5) which is adapted to be reciprocatively rocked or swung by a reed driving mechanism (not shown).
- a rocking shaft 30 see Fig. 5
- electromagnets 18 and 19 are mounted at lateral sides of the sley members 17a and 17c, respectively.
- An electromagnet 20 is interposed between the sley members 17a and 17b with another electromagnet 21 being interposed between the sley members 17b and 17c.
- Each of the electromagnets 18 to 21 is supported on a breast beam 32 by way of a bracket 31.
- the breast beam 32 is employed for supporting a fell plate serving for preventing the downward displacement of a fabric (not shown), a temple device for preventing shrinkage of fabric and an expansion bar, wherein very high accuracy is ensured for the positional relation between the sley 17 and the breast beam 32.
- the electromagnets 18 to 21 and electric wires therefor are provided fixedly, possibility of breakage of the wires and occurrence of failure in the electromagnets 18 to 21 can positively be suppressed.
- the sley 17 as a whole can be implemented in light weight, which is very beneficial for increasing the beating operation speed.
- a movable feeding gripper 8A of the feeding rapier head 1 is comprised of a non-magnetic member 8b and a magnetic member 8c disposed to face in opposition to the electromagnet.
- a movable receiving gripper 12A of the receiving rapier head 2 is comprised of a non-magnetic member 12b and a magnetic member 12c with the magnetic member 12c positioned to face oppositely to the electromagnet.
- the non-magnetic members 8b and 12b may preferably be made of a resin material with the magnetic members 8c and 12c being formed of a metal material with a view to implementing the rapier heads 1 and 2 in light weight.
- a light-weight structure of the rapier heads 1 and 2 is advantageous in that they can be moved or operated with an increased speed.
- Driving circuits 22A, 23A, 24A and 25A for electrically energizing the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, are each designed for outputting either one of the rated voltage V 0 and the over-excitation voltage V 1 in response to a command issued by the control computer C.
- a waveform D 3 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the electromagnet 18, while a waveform D 4 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the electromagnet 19.
- a waveform E 3 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the electromagnet 20
- a waveform E 4 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the electromagnet 21.
- Each of the voltages represented by the waveforms D 3 , D 4 , E 3 and E 4 has a rated voltage level V 0 and an over-excitation voltage level V 1 .
- the timings Td 03 , Td 04 , Te 03 and Te 04 at which the rated voltage V 0 is applied as well as the timings Td 13 , Td 14 , Te 13 and Te 14 at which the over-excitation voltage V 1 is applied are set by the voltage application timing setting unit 27 and inputted to the control computer C.
- the control computer C issues voltage application commands for applying the rated voltage V 0 or the over-excitation voltage V 1 to the driving circuits 22A to 25A on the basis of angular position information of the loom as detected by the rotary encoder 28 and the information concerning the voltage application timings mentioned above.
- the driving circuits 22A to 25A apply the rated voltage V 0 and the over-excitation voltage V 1 to the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, at such timings the illustrated in Fig. 8.
- the over-excitation voltage V 1 is first applied to the electromagnets 18; 20 and the electromagnets 19; 21.
- the rated voltage V 0 is applied.
- the movable grippers 8A and 12A are rapidly changed over to the weft release position from the weft grip position. It is self-explanatory that the rapid change-over of the movable grippers 8A and 12A makes it possible to operate the loom at an increased speed.
- the movable feeding gripper 8B of the feeding rapier head 1 is comprised of a non-magnetic member 8b and a permanent magnet 8d, wherein the permanent magnet 8d is disposed in opposition to the electromagnet.
- the movable receiving gripper 12B of the receiving rapier head 2 is composed of a non-magnetic member 12b and a permanent magnet 12d which is disposed in opposition to the electromagnet.
- the positions at which the electromagnets 18 to 21 are installed are same as those of the weft inserting apparatus described hereinbefore in conjunction with the first embodiment of the invention.
- the driving circuits 22B, 23B, 24B and 25B for electrically energizing the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, are each designed for outputting either one of the rated voltage (+)V 0 of plus polarity and the rated voltage (-)V 0 of minus polarity in response to a command issued by the control computer C.
- a waveform D 5 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to the electromagnet 18, while a waveform D 6 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to the electromagnet 19.
- a waveform E 5 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to the electromagnet 20
- a waveform E 6 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to the electromagnet 21.
- the timings (+)Td 5 , (+)Td 6 , (+)Te 5 and (+)Te 6 at which the positive rated voltage (+)V 0 is applied as well as the timings (-)Td 5 , (-)Td 6 , (-)Te 5 and (-)Te 6 at which the negative rated voltage (-)V 0 is applied are set by the voltage application timing setting unit 27 to be inputted to the control computer C.
- the control computer C issues voltage application commands for applying the positive rated voltage (+)V 0 or the negative rated voltage (-)V 0 to the driving circuits 22B to 25B on the basis of angular position information of the loom as obtained from the output of the rotary encoder 28 and the information concerning the voltage application timings mentioned above.
- the driving circuits 22B to 25B apply the rated voltage (+)V 0 of plus polarity or the rated voltage (-)V 0 of minus polarity to the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, at the timings illustrated in Fig. 9.
- the movable feeding gripper 8B is held at the weft grip position under the resiliency of the movable feeding gripper 8B and the spring force of the leaf spring 9 when no magnetic forces of the electromagnets 18 and 20 are exerted.
- the movable receiving gripper 12B are held at the weft grip position under the spring force of the compression spring 15 when neither the electromagnet 19 nor the electromagnet 21 are active.
- the magnetic force as generated upon application of the rated voltage (+)V 0 of plus polarity acts as a magnetic attracting force for the movable grippers 8B and 12B, while the magnetic force generated upon application of the rated voltage (-)V 0 of minus polarity acts as a repulsing magnetic force.
- the movable gripper 8B or 12B In response to the magnetic attracting force generated upon application of the rated voltage (+)V 0 of plus polarity, the movable gripper 8B or 12B is positionally shifted to the weft release position from the weft grip position. On the other hand, in response to the magnetic repulsing force generated upon application of the rated voltage (-)V 0 of minus polarity, the movable gripper 8B or 12B is shifted to the weft grip position from the weft release position. In this manner, the positional changing-over of the movable grippers 8B and 12B to the weft grip position from the weft release position is effected by electrically energizing the electromagnets 18 to 21 in the manner described above.
- the movable feeding gripper 8B of the feeding rapier head 1 is comprised of a non-magnetic member 8b and a permanent magnet 8d, wherein the permanent magnet 8d is so disposed as to face in opposition to the electromagnet.
- the movable receiving gripper 12B of the receiving rapier head 2 is composed of a non-magnetic member 12b and a permanent magnet 12d which is disposed in opposition to the electromagnet.
- the positions at which the electromagnets 18 to 21 are installed are same as those of the weft inserting apparatus described hereinbefore in conjunction with the first embodiment.
- the driving circuits 22C, 23C, 24C and 25C for electrically energizing the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, are each designed for outputting either one of the rated voltage (+)V 0 of plus polarity, the rated voltage (-)V 0 of minus polarity, the over-excitation voltage (+)V 1 of plus polarity and the over-excitation voltage (-)V 1 of minus polarity in response to a command issued by the control computer C.
- a waveform D 7 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to the electromagnet 18, while a waveform D 8 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to the electromagnet 19.
- a waveform E 7 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to the electromagnet 20, while a waveform E 8 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to the electromagnet 21.
- the timings (+)Td 07 , (+)Td 08 ; (+)Te 07 , (+)Te 08 at which the positive rated voltage (+)V 0 is applied as well as the timings (-)Td 07 , (-)Td 08 ; (-)Te 07 , (-)Te 08 at which the negative rated voltage (-)V 0 is applied are set by the voltage application timing setting unit 27 to be subsequently loaded to the control computer C.
- timings (+)Td 17 , (+)Td 18 ; (+)Te 17 , (+)Te 18 at which the over-excitation voltage (+)V 1 of plus polarity is applied as well as the timings (-)Td 17 , (-)Td 18 ; (-)Te 17 , (-)Te 18 at which the over-excitation voltage (-)V 1 of minus polarity is applied are preset by the voltage application timing unit 27 and inputted to the control computer C.
- the control computer C issues voltage application commands for applying the rated voltage (+)V 0 of plus polarity, the rated voltage (-)V 0 of minus polarity, the over-excitation voltage (+)V 1 of plus polarity or the over-excitation voltage (-)V 1 of minus polarity to the driving circuit 22C; 25C on the basis of the angular position information of the loom as obtained from the output of the rotary encoder 28 and the information concerning the voltage application timings mentioned above.
- the driving circuits 22C to 25C apply selectively the rated voltage (+)V 0 of plus polarity, the rated voltage (-)V 0 of minus polarity, the over-excitation voltage (+)V 1 of plus polarity or the over-excitation voltage (-)V 1 of minus polarity to the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, at such timings as illustrated in Fig. 10.
- the over-excitation voltage is applied when the movable feeding gripper 8B or the movable receiving gripper 12B is to be changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position as well, transition of the movable gripper 8B or 12B to the weft grip position from the weft release position can be realized at a further increased speed.
- the high-speed positional change-over of the movable feeding gripper 8B and the movable receiving gripper 12B from the weft release position to the weft grip position contributes to a high-speed operation of the loom.
- the high-speed operation of the movable feeding gripper 8B for allowing the feeding rapier head 1 to catch the weft is very effective for speeding up the weft insertion starting operation of the feeding rapier head 1.
- FIG 11 shows a version of the weft inserting apparatus in which the movable grippers 8B and 12B additionally provided with the permanent magnets 8d and 12d are adopted.
- the over-excitation voltage (+)V 1 of plus polarity is applied first, as is represented by the waveforms D 9 , D 10 , E 9 , E 10 .
- the movable feeding gripper 8B or the movable receiving gripper 12B is to be changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position, only the rated voltage (-)V 0 of minus polarity is applied.
- over-excitation voltage (+)V 1 of plus polarity upon changing-over of the movable feeding gripper 8B or the movable receiving gripper 12B from the weft release position to the weft grip position, resiliency of the movable grippers 8B and 12B as well as the spring forces of the leaf spring 9 and the compression spring 15 can be increased, which in turn enables the movable feeding gripper 8B or the movable receiving gripper 12B to be shifted from the weft release position to the welt grip position at an increased speed.
- Figs. 12 and 13 the position limiting members 7c and 11c are spared in the stationary grippers 7 and 11 of the rapier heads 1 and 2, respectively.
- buffer sheets 33 of a soft material such as moquette are secured to the sley 17 and the electromagnets 20 and 21 in the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 12, while in the apparatus shown in Fig. 13, the buffer sheets 33 are fixedly mounted only on the electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively.
- the warps are gripped between the movable gripper 8A (or 8B); 12A (or 12B) and the buffer sheet 33.
- the buffer sheet 33 functions to prevent the warps sandwiched between the movable gripper 8A (or 8B); 12A (or 12B) and the electromagnet from being injured. It should further be mentioned that omission of the position limiting members 7c and 11c contributes to light-weight implementation of the rapier heads 1 and 2.
- the moquette for forming the buffer sheet 33 may be made of a sheet material such as of a synthetic resin, woven fabric, leather or the like.
- a plurality of (three in this case) electromagnets 20A, 20B and 20C are disposed along the weft insertion path in the vicinity of the weft insertion dead center position. Furthermore, a plurality of (three in this case) electromagnets 21A, 21B and 21C are disposed along the weft insertion path in the vicinity of the weft insertion dead center position of the receiving rapier head 2.
- the electromagnets 20A, 20B and 20C serve as the weft feeding magnetic force exerting means, while the electromagnets 21A, 21B and 21C serve as the weft receiving magnetic force exerting means.
- the movable grippers of the feeding rapier head 1 the movable feeding gripper 8A or 8B shown in Fig. 7 is employed, while as the movable gripper for the receiving rapier head 2, the movable receiving gripper 12A or 12B is used.
- a waveform E 11 shown in Fig. 15 indicates an amplitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to the electromagnet 20A by a driving circuit 24D 1 .
- a waveform E 12 shown in the same figure indicates an amplitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to the electromagnet 20B by a driving circuit 24D 2 .
- a waveform E 13 indicates a magnitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to the electromagnet 20C by a driving circuit 24D 3
- a waveform E 14 indicates a magnitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to the electromagnet 21A by a driving circuit 25E 1 .
- a waveform E 15 indicates a magnitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to the electromagnet 21B by a driving circuit 25E 2
- a waveform E 16 indicates a magnitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to the electromagnet 21C by a driving circuit 25E 3
- Energization/deenergization of the electromagnets 20A, 20B and 20C is performed in a relaying manner, so to say.
- energization/deenergization of the electromagnets 21A, 21B and 21C is carried out in a relaying manner.
- the energization/deenergization of the electromagnets 20A, 20B and 20C in a relaying manner makes it possible to change over the position of the movable feeding gripper 8A (or 8B) between the weft grip position and the weft release position in the course of moving of the feeding rapier head 1.
- the energization and deenergization of the electromagnets 21A, 21B and 21C in the relaying fashion permits the positional change-over of the movable receiving gripper 12A (or 12B) between the weft grip position and the weft release position even when the receiving rapier head 2 is moving.
- the voltage of minus polarity may be applied to the electromagnet in succession to a application of the voltage of plus polarity when the movable feeding gripper 8B and the movable receiving gripper 12B are employed.
- the energization/deenergization of the electromagnets in the relaying fashion may be performed only for the operation of the feeding rapier head 1 or alternatively only for the operation of the receiving rapier head 2.
- the feeding rapier head 1 is implemented by securing fixedly a base end portion of a flexible movable feeding gripper 8C to the stationary feeding gripper 7A.
- a piezoelectric device 35 is interposed between the stationary feeding gripper 7A and the movable feeding gripper 8C.
- the receiving rapier head 2 is implemented in such a structure in which a base end portion of a flexible movable feeding gripper 8C is secured to the stationary receiving gripper 11A.
- a piezoelectric device 36 is interposed between the stationary receiving gripper 11A and the movable receiving gripper 12C. Electric wires connected to the piezoelectric devices 35 and 36 are laid down along the rapier bands 3 and 4. respectively.
- the piezoelectric device 35 (or 36) is realized in such a structure in which piezoelectric elements 35a (or 36a) are stacked alternately with electric conductors 35b (or 36b) with the piezoelectric element 35a (or 36a) being sandwiched between the conductors 35b (or 36b).
- One of the electric conductors 35b and 36b sandwiching the piezoelectric element 35a or 36a is connected to an electrode of plus polarity of a power source while the other is connected to the electrode of minus polarity.
- the piezoelectric element 35a or 36a Upon application of a voltage to the piezoelectric device 35 or 36, the piezoelectric element 35a or 36a expands in the stacking direction, which results in that the piezoelectric device 35 or 36 as a whole expands.
- the movable feeding gripper 8C of the feeding rapier head is disposed at the weft grip position upon voltage application to the piezoelectric device 35 and changed over to the weft release position in response to clearing of the applied voltage.
- the movable receiving gripper 12C of the receiving rapier head is disposed at the weft grip position in response to the voltage application to the piezoelectric device 36 and shifted to the weft release position when the voltage applied to the piezoelectric device 36 is cleared.
- the driving force for changing over the movable gripper 8C or 12C between the weft grip position and the weft release position originates in the expansion/contraction of the piezoelectric device 35 or 36.
- the mechanism for changing over the movable gripper 8C or 12C between the weft grip position and the weft release position is positively prevented from interfering with the warp.
- the warps can positively be protected against injury or damage due to the switching operations of the feeding rapier head 1 and the receiving rapier head 2.
- the structure in which the movable gripper 8C or 12C is positively moved in response to the expansion/contraction of the piezoelectric device 35 or 36 facilitates setting of optimal timings for switching operations of the rapier heads 1 and 2, which in turn facilitates setting of the optimal timings for the gripping and releasing of the weft.
- easiness in setting the optimal timings for gripping and releasing of the weft can assure positive pick-up of the weft Y by the feeding rapier head 1 as well as positive transfer of the weft Y from the feeding rapier head 1 to the receiving rapier head 2.
- the spring member for gripping the weft is rendered unnecessary.
- the driving mechanism for shifting the movable gripper 8C and 12C between the weft grip position and the weft release position can be realized only by a small size piezoelectric device, which contributes to further simplified and compact implementation of the driving mechanisms mentioned previously.
- the electric wires connected to the piezoelectric device may be replaced by tapes or straps or tape-like material admixed with electrically conductive material.
- the driving means may be implemented in the form of a wireless driving means.
- permanent magnets can be used as the magnetic force exerting means.
- a permanent magnet may be disposed in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position at the weft insertion starting side.
- the weft insertion by the receiving rapier head is started.
- the weft can positively be caught by the weft feeding rapier head when such arrangement is adapted that the magnetic action of the permanent magnet becomes rapidly lowered substantially at the time point when the weft is caught.
- the permanent magnet may be disposed in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position at the weft insertion terminal side.
- the movable gripper of the receiving rapier head is disposed at the weft release position under the action of the magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet, whereupon the weft as transported by the receiving rapier head is released therefrom.
- the present invention can be applied to a rapier loom in which each of the rapier heads is secured at a tip end of a rod which is adapted to be linearly and reciprocatively moved as well as a rapier loom in which the weft insertion is performed only by using a rapier head which is inserted into a shed defined by the warps from a weft insertion starting side.
- the feeding and receiving rapier heads (1; 2) are each constituted by a combination of a stationary gripper member (7; 11) and a movable gripper member (8; 12) made of a magnetic material.
- Electromagnets (18; 19) are disposed at both ends of a sley (17), respectively, while electromagnets (20; 21) are disposed at a mid portion of the sley.
- the movable gripper member (8) of the feeding rapier head (1) positioned in opposition to the electromagnets (19; 21) is displaced from a weft grip position to a weft release position by controlling the magnetic action of the electromagnets (18; 20), while the movable gripper member (12) of the receiving rapier head (2) disposed oppositely to the electromagnets (19; 21) is displaced from the weft grip position to the weft release position by controlling the magnetic action of the electromagnets (19; 21).
- the weft insertion can be carried cut with high reliability while positively protecting the weft against injury.
Description
- The present invention generally relates to a rapier loom for weaving fabric by inserting a weft into a shed defined between warps by using at least one rapier head moved reciprocatively through the shed. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a weft insertion method and an apparatus for carrying out the same for a rapier loom of the type mentioned above.
- In the hitherto known rapier loom, fabric is woven by inserting a weft into a shed defined between layers of warps (hereinafter also referred to as an inter-warp shed) by using a feeding rapier head such as one disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 195373/1993 (JP-A-5-195373). Parenthetically, the feeding rapier head is referred to as the giver in the above publication. The weft inserted into the inter-warp shed by means of the feeding rapier head is transferred to a receiving rapier head (which is referred to as the taker in the above publication). The weft transferred to the receiving rapier head is caused to pass through the shed by retracting (i.e., moving backwardly) the receiving rapier head. Each of the feeding rapier head and the receiving rapier head is constituted by a combination of a stationary gripper member and a movable gripper member. For effectuating the transfer of the weft from the feeding rapier head to the receiving rapier head, the latter is positioned to a mid position substantially corresponding to a center of the fabric being woven as viewed in the widthwise direction thereof in a standby state in which the associated gripper members are opened. The feeding rapier head releases the weft at the mid position mentioned above. The weft as released is then gripped by the receiving rapier head. Thus, the weft transfer between the feeding rapier head and the receiving rapier head has been accomplished.
- In the case of the rapier loom disclosed in JP-A-5-195373, the above-mentioned opening/closing operation of the rapier heads at the mid position of the fabric as viewed in the direction widthwise thereof is executed by a pair of levers constituting parts of a clamp opener disposed underneath the fabric. More specifically, the clamp opener is driven by a servo-motor which is controlled in conformance with movements of both the rapier heads, each of which is also adapted to be driven by a servo-motor. A driving system for driving controllably the clamp opener and the rapier heads is adopted for the purpose of realizing the weft transfer from the feeding rapier head to the receiving rapier head while avoiding the possibility of injuring or damaging the weft.
- However, the levers of the clamp opener for opening and closing the rapier heads are so arranged as to enter the inter-warp shed space from the underside of the lower warp layer by pushing aside the individual warps. This motion of the clamp opener levers is carried out once for every weft insertion shot or cycle. Thus, it is apparent that the warps are likely to be injured as a result of frequent entrance and exit of the clamp opener levers to and from the shed through the warp layer, which gives rise to a problem in the conventional rapier loom.
- According to the
document GB 2 059 455 a weft inserting apparatus of this kind is known having a weft inserter and a receiver which meet in the shed and transfer a weft from one to the other. As the inserter starts ist insertion movement spring loaded pivotable jaws close to gripp the watt wherein the one jaw is ld in ist closed position against the spring load by a catch. The receiver has a fixed jaw and a pivotable spring loaded jaw that is held in ist open position against the spring load by a catch. At the transfer position a first electromagnet built-in the receiver is operated to release the catch of the receiver so as to grip the weft, still held by the inserter. A second electromagnet built-in the inserter is then operated to release the catch of the inserter so as to release the weft. - In the light of the state of the art described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a weft insertion method for a rapier loom which method is capable of inserting a weft into an inter-warp shed by using a rapier head with high reliability and without injuring the same.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a weft inserting apparatus for carrying out the method mentioned above.
- In view of the above and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the present invention is directed to a rapier loom for weaving a fabric by inserting a weft through a shed formed by warps by using at least one rapier head constituted by a combination of a stationary gripper member and a movable gripper member into said shed.
- In the rapier loom mentioned above, there is provided according to the patent claim 1 a weft insertion method which features that the aforementioned movable gripper member is so implemented as to respond to a magnetic force of a magnetic force exerting means in the form of an electromagnetic means to thereby assume selectively a weft grip position and a weft release position, that the magnetic force exerting means is changed over between a first state in which the magnetic force exerting means exerts a magnetic force to the movable gripper member and a second state in which the magnetic force exerting means exerts no magnetic force to the movable gripper member, and that the movable gripper member is positionally changed over between the weft grip position and the weft release position by switching the magnetic force exerting means between the first state and the second state mentioned above, wherein the weft is gripped by the movable gripper member when the movable gripper member is changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position, while the weft is released when the movable gripper member is changed over from the weft grip position to the weft release position.
- In the weft insertion method described above, the movable gripper member is disposed at the weft grip position when the magnetic force of the magnetic force exerting means does not act on the movable gripper member, while the magnetic force of the magnetic force exerting means acts on the movable gripper member, the latter is disposed at the weft release position. Thus, when the weft is to be gripped by the rapier head, the movable gripper member is displaced (i.e., positionally changed over) to the weft grip position from the weft release position. Upon reaching of the movable gripper member at the weft grip position, the weft is gripped between the stationary gripper member and the movable gripper member. On the other hand, when the weft is to be released from the rapier head, the movable gripper member is displaced to the weft release position from the weft grip position. Upon reaching of the movable gripper member at the weft release position, the weft is released from the state gripped or grasped between the stationary gripper member and the movable gripper member.
- Upon transfer of the weft from the feeding rapier head to the receiving rapier head, the latter waits for arrival of the receiving rapier head at a weft transfer position, e.g. at a mid position as viewed in the direction widthwise of the fabric being woven, while the movable gripper member of the receiving rapier head is disposed at the weft release position. Upon arrival of the feeding rapier head gripping the weft at the weft transfer position, the movable gripper member of the receiving rapier head is caused to assume the weft grip position, whereupon the weft is gripped by the receiving rapier head, while the movable gripper member of the feeding rapier head is positioned at the weft release position, whereupon the weft gets rid of the gripping action of the feeding rapier head.
- Further, upon application of the magnetic force, the electromagnetic means is first applied with an over-excitation voltage, which is then followed by application of a rated voltage. The movable gripper member is positionally changed over between a weft grip position and a weft release position by switching the electromagnetic means between the first and second states mentioned above. The weft is gripped by the movable gripper member by positionally switching the movable gripper member from the weft release position to the weft grip position, while the weft is released when the movable gripper member is changed over to the weft release position from the weft grip position.
- In the weft insertion method according to the invention, the over-excitation voltage is first applied to the electromagnet upon application of the magnetic force thereof to the movable gripper member, which is then followed by application of the rated voltage. Due to application of the over-excitation voltage, the positional change-over of the movable gripper member from the weft grip position to the weft release position is performed rapidly, whereby the loom can be operated at an increased speed, to an advantage.
- As mentioned previously, the present invention is also concerned with an apparatus for carrying out the weft insertion methods described above. Thus, there is provided according to a further aspect of the invention a weft inserting apparatus according to
independent claim 2, which apparatus features that the movable gripper member is at least partially composed of a magnetic force responsive portion, and that a magnetic force exerting means is installed at a position in the vicinity of the weft insertion path, wherein the movable gripper member is exchangeably positioned between a weft grip position and a weft release position by switching the state of the magnetic force exerting means between a first state in which magnetic force of the a magnetic force exerting means acts on the magnetic force responsive portion of the movable gripper member and a second state in which the magnetic force of the magnetic force exerting means does not act on the magnetic force responsive portion. - Further, for a rapier loom which includes a feeding rapier head constituted by a stationary feeding gripper and a movable feeding gripper and a receiving rapier head constituted by a stationary receiving gripper and a movable receiving gripper, wherein both of the feeding rapier head and the receiving rapier head are inserted into a shed formed by layers of warps for inserting and passing a weft into and through the shed by transferring the weft caught by the feeding rapier head to the receiving rapier head, there is provided according to a further aspect of present invention a weft inserting apparatus which features that it is comprised of a first magnetic force responsive member constituting at least a portion of the movable feeding gripper, a second magnetic force responsive member constituting at least a portion of the movable receiving gripper, a feeding magnetic force exerting means disposed in the vicinity of a weft insertion dead center point located on a weft insertion path of the feeding rapier head, a receiving magnetic force exerting means disposed at a side of a weft insertion dead center point on a weft insertion path of the receiving rapier head, a first switching means for switching the feeding magnetic force exerting means between a first state in which a magnetic force of the feeding magnetic force exerting means acts on the magnetic force responsive member of the movable feeding gripper and a second state in which the magnetic force of the feeding magnetic force exerting means does not act on the magnetic force responsive member of the movable feeding gripper to thereby change over the movable feeding gripper between a weft grip position and a weft release position, and a second means for switching the receiving magnetic force exerting means between a first state in which a magnetic force of the receiving magnetic force exerting means acts on the magnetic force responsive member of the movable receiving gripper and a second state in which the magnetic force of the receiving magnetic force exerting means does not act on the magnetic force responsive member of the movable receiving gripper to thereby change over the movable receiving gripper between a weft grip position and a weft release position.
- In a preferred mode for implementing the weft inserting apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of the feeding magnetic force exerting means may be disposed in series to one another along the weft insertion path of the feeding rapier head.
- In another preferred mode for carrying out the invention, a plurality of the receiving magnetic force exerting means may be disposed in series to one another along the weft insertion path of the receiving rapier head.
- By virtue of the arrangements mentioned above, the feeding rapier head undergoes sequentially the magnetic actions exerted by a plurality of feeding magnetic force exerting means disposed in series along the weft insertion path, while the receiving rapier head equally undergoes sequentially the magnetic actions of plural receiving magnetic force exerting means disposed serially along the welt insertion path. Thus, it is possible to change over the rapier head between the weft releasing state and the weft gripping state even when the rapier head is being moved.
- In yet another preferred mode for carrying out the present invention, the magnetic force exerting means may be constituted by at least one electromagnet, wherein the weft inserting apparatus may further include a voltage application control means for controlling application of a voltage to the electromagnet, an applied voltage level setting means for setting a level of voltage applied to the electromagnet, a voltage application timing setting means for setting a timing at which the voltage is applied to the electromagnet.
- In the weft inserting apparatus of the structure described above, the timings at which the voltage is applied to the electromagnet is set at the voltage application timing setting means, while the voltage application control means commands the voltage application timings on the basis of the data set at the voltage application timing setting means. On the other hand, the voltage level setting means serves for setting the level of voltage to be applied at the preset timings. In this case, the voltage application timing control means as well as the timing/level setting means may be implemented in the form of, for example, a microcomputer.
- In still another preferred mode for carrying out the present invention, a buffer sheet of a soft material may be interposed between the magnetic force exerting means and the movable gripper member such that upon positioning of the movable gripper member at the weft release position, the weft is gripped between the buffer sheet and the movable gripper member.
- In the course of the description which follows, reference is made to the drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a partially broken-away front side view showing a weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is an enlarged front side view showing schematically a major portion of the weft inserting apparatus;
- Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows the major portion of the weft inserting apparatus in a weft transferring state;
- Fig. 4 is a timing chart for illustrating application of voltages to electromagnets employed in the weft inserting apparatus shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a modification in respect to the disposition of the electromagnet;
- Fig. 6 is an enlarged front side view showing a major portion in a weft inserting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows a major portion of a weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom according to another embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 8 is a timing chart for illustrating application of voltages to electromagnets employed in the weft inserting apparatus shown in Fig. 5;
- Fig. 9 is a timing chart for illustrating application of voltages to electromagnets employed in the weft inserting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 10 is a timing chart for illustrating application of voltages to electromagnets employed in the weft inserting apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 11 is a timing chart for illustrating application of voltages to electromagnets employed in the weft inserting apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows a major portion of a weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows a major portion of a weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom according to a still further embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows a major portion of a weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom according to a yet further embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 15 is a timing chart for illustrating application of voltages to electromagnets employed in the weft inserting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 16 is a partially broken-away enlarged sectional view showing a structure of a piezoelectric device for driving a movable gripper member not forming part of the present invention; and
- Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows a major portion of a weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom which, however, is not an embodiment of the present invention.
-
- Now, the present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with what is presently considered as preferred or typical embodiments thereof by reference to the drawings. In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as "left", "right", and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
- At first, a weft insertion apparatus for a rapier loom according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described by reference to Figs. 1 to 4, in which a
reference numeral 1 denotes a feeding rapier head which is adapted to be inserted into a shed defined between layers of warps (not shown) from a weft insertion starting side, and anumeral 2 denotes a receiving rapier head which is adapted to be inserted into the shed from a weft insertion end or terminal side. The feedingrapier head 1 and the receivingrapier head 2 are fixedly mounted at both tip end portions ofrapier bands rapier wheels 5 and 6, respectively. Therapier wheels 5 and 6 are reciprocatively rotated in the directions opposite to each other. More specifically, the feedingrapier head 1 is inserted into the inter-warp shed upon forward rotation (i.e., rotation in a given one direction) of the rapier wheel 5, while the feedingrapier head 1 is retracted from the shed upon backward rotation (i.e., rotation in the direction opposite to the given one direction) of the rapier wheel 5. On the other hand, the receivingrapier head 2 is inserted into the shed defined by the warps upon forward rotation of therapier wheel 6, while it is retracted upon backward rotation thereof. - As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the feeding
rapier head 1 is constituted by a combination of astationary feeding gripper 7 made of a non-magnetic material and amovable feeding gripper 8 of a magnetic material. Thestationary feeding gripper 7 is integrally formed with a supportingmember 7a, agripping surface 7b and aposition limiting member 7c. Fixedly mounted on the supportingmember 7a are themovable feeding gripper 8, a tip end portion of therapier band 3 and aleaf spring 9 by means of clamping screws 10. Themovable feeding gripper 8 is made of a metal material having a resiliency so as to serve as a spring. Agripping surface 8a is formed at a tip end portion of themovable feeding gripper 8. Thegripping surfaces position limiting member 7c serves to restrict or limit the downward displacement of themovable feeding gripper 8. - Again referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the receiving
rapier head 2 is constituted by a combination of astationary receiving gripper 11 made of a nonmagnetic material and amovable receiving gripper 12 of a magnetic material. Coupled rotatably or swingably to thestationary receiving gripper 11 is the movable receivinggripper 12 by means of apivot 13. Themovable receiving gripper 12 is made of a metal material. Formed at tip end portions of thestationary receiving gripper 11 and the movable receivinggripper 12, respectively, are grippingsurfaces gripping surfaces rapier band 4 is fixedly mounted on the movable receivinggripper 12 by means of clamping screws 14. Thestationary receiving gripper 11 is integrally formed with a supportingmember 11b and a position limiting member 11c. Acompression spring 15 is interposed between the supportingmember 11b and the movable receivinggripper 12. The position limiting member 11c serves as a stopper for limiting a downward movement of the movable receivinggripper 12. - The feeding
rapier head 1 and the receivingrapier head 2 are caused to move into the inter-warp shed upon forward rotations of therapier wheels 5 and 6, respectively, and encounter each other at a mid position as viewed in the widthwise direction of a fabric being woven. On the other hand, when therapier wheels 5 and 6 are rotated in the reverse or backward directions, respectively, the feedingrapier head 1 and the receivingrapier head 2 are caused to retract from the shed defined by the layers of warps. The position of the feedingrapier head 1 shown in Fig. 1 represents a position distanced at maximum from the inter-warp shed. This position will be referred to as the retraction dead center point or position. Similarly, the state of the receivingrapier head 2 shown in Fig. 1 represents a position distanced maximally from the inter-warp shed. This position will be referred to as the retraction dead center position of the receivingrapier head 2. - The receiving
rapier head 2 is adapted to run on and along aslay 17 which supports areed 16. The running path of the receivingrapier head 2, i.e., the weft insertion path, is so designed or determined as not to interface with thereed 16 when it is retracted farthest from the cloth fell of the fabric being woven. As can be seen in Fig. 1,electromagnets sley 17. More specifically, theelectromagnet 18 is installed at a position immediately below the weft insertion path for the feedingrapier head 1, while theelectromagnet 19 is installed at a position immediately underneath the weft insertion path of the receivingrapier head 2. Further, a pair ofelectromagnets sley 17 substantially at mid portions thereof, respectively. In more concrete, theelectromagnet 20 is installed at a position immediately below the weft insertion path of the feedingrapier head 1, while theelectromagnet 21 is disposed immediately beneath the weft insertion path of the receivingrapier head 2. - A magnetic-field region over which the magnetic force of the
electromagnet 18 is active lies in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position of the feedingrapier head 1, while a corresponding region of theelectromagnet 19 lies in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position of the receivingrapier head 2. On the other hand, the magnetic-field region of theelectromagnet 20 lies in the vicinity of the position at which the feedingrapier head 1 encounters the receivingrapier head 2, i.e., a so-called weft insertion dead center position of the feedingrapier head 1. On the other hand, the magnetic-field region of theelectromagnet 21 lies in the vicinity of the position at which the receivingrapier head 2 encounters the feedingrapier head 1, i.e., the weft insertion dead center position of the receivingrapier head 2. The magnetic force of theelectromagnet 18 acts on themovable feeding gripper 8 of the feedingrapier head 1 located in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position, while that of theelectromagnet 20 acts on themovable feeding gripper 8 of the feedingrapier head 1 located in the vicinity of the weft insertion dead center position. Similarly, the magnetic force of theelectromagnet 21 acts on the movable receivinggripper 12 of the receivingrapier head 2 located in the vicinity of the weft insertion dead center position thereof. - Under the influence of the magnetic forces of the
electromagnets movable feeding gripper 8 is caused to bend or angularly move toward theelectromagnets member 7a against their own resiliences and that of theleaf spring 9. Due to this angular displacement, themovable feeding gripper 8 is positionally changed over to a weft release position shown in Fig. 3 from a weft grip position shown Fig. 2. The downward movement of themovable feeding gripper 8 is limited by theposition limiting member 7c. In the state where the downward movement of themovable feeding gripper 8 is stopped by theposition limiting member 7c, themovable feeding gripper 8 assumes a position closest to theelectromagnet movable feeding gripper 8 and theelectromagnet 18; 20 and thus protected against any injury. - Similarly, under the influence of the magnetic forces of the
electromagnets gripper 12 is caused to bend or angularly move toward theelectromagnets pivot pin 13 against the spring force of thecompression spring 15. Due to this angular displacement, the movable receivinggripper 12 is positionally changed over to a weft release position shown in Fig. 3 from a weft grip position shown Fig. 2. The downward movement of the movable receivinggripper 12 is limited by the stopper or position limiting member 11c. In the state where the downward movement of the movable receivinggripper 12 is limited by the position limiting member 11c, the movable receivinggripper 12 assumes a position closest to theelectromagnet gripper 12 and theelectromagnet 19; 21 and thus protected against any injury. - As can be seen from Fig. 1, the
electromagnets circuits circuits 22 to 25 serving as applied voltage setting means apply a rated voltage V0 to theelectromagnets timing setting unit 27 and arotary encoder 28. The voltage applicationtiming setting unit 27 serves for inputting to the control computer C the voltage application timing control signals for theelectromagnets 18 to 21, respectively. On the other hand, therotary encoder 28 serves for detecting rotational angles or angular positions of the loom. On the basis of the loom rotation angle information available from the output of therotary encoder 28, the control computer C issues commands to the drivingcircuits 22 to 25 applications of the rated voltage V0, in response to which the drivingcircuits 22 to 25 apply the rated voltage V0 to theelectromagnets 18 to 21 at the preset timings, respectively. - Referring to Fig. 4, a waveform D1 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to the
electromagnet 18, while a waveform D2 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to theelectromagnet 19. Further, a waveform E1 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to theelectromagnet 20, while a waveform E2 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to theelectromagnet 21. In the timing chart shown in Fig. 4, the voltage V is taken along the ordinate with a rotation angle (or angular position) of the loom being taken along the abscissa. Each of the voltages represented by the waveforms D1, D2, E1 and E2 is a rated voltage V0. The timings Td1, Td2, Te1 and Te2 at which the rated voltage V0 is applied are set by the voltage applicationtiming setting unit 27 to be subsequently inputted to the control computer C. The control computer C issues voltage application commands to the drivingcircuits 22 to 25 on the basis of the angular position information of the loom as detected by therotary encoder 28 and the information concerning the voltage application timings Td1, Td2, Te1 and Te2, as supplied from thetiming setting unit 27. In response to the voltage application commands mentioned above, the drivingcircuits 22 to 25 apply the rated voltage V0 to theelectromagnets 18 to 21, respectively. - When the voltage of the waveform D1 is applied, the position of the
movable feeding gripper 8 of the feedingrapier head 1 is changed over to the weft release position from the weft grip position. The feedingrapier head 1 then starts the weft insertion in the state in which themovable feeding gripper 8 is disposed at the weft release position. The position of themovable feeding gripper 8 is changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position in the vicinity of the retraction head center position. Through the positional change-over mentioned above, the weft Y is retained between thegripping surfaces grippers rapier head 1. The feedingrapier head 1 takes up the weft Y at a weft take-up position in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position, whereby the weft Y is inserted into the shed. Theelectromagnet 18 serves as the weft take-up magnetic means. - As shown in Fig. 2, the receiving
rapier head 2 arrives at the weft insertion dead center position in precedence to the feedingrapier head 1. Themovable receiving gripper 12 of the receivingrapier head 2 arrived at the weft insertion dead center position is changed over from the weft grip position to the weft release position in response to application of the voltage represented by the waveform E2. The receivingrapier head 2 then waits for arrival of the feedingrapier head 1 in the state in which the movable receivinggripper 12 is disposed at the weft release position. The weft Y retained by the feedingrapier head 1 arrived at the weft insertion dead center position is transferred to the receivingrapier head 2 to be thereby positioned between thegripping surfaces gripping surfaces electromagnet 21 is interrupted, which results in that the movable receivinggripper 12 is changed over to the weft grip position from the weft release position. Through this positional change-over, the weft Y is now retained between thegripping surfaces rapier head 2, as can be seen in Fig. 3. Themovable feeding gripper 18 of the feedingrapier head 1 arrived at the weft insertion dead center position is changed over from the weft grip position to the weft release position in response to application of the voltage represented by the waveform E1. As a consequence, the weft Y gets rid of the gripping action of the feedingrapier head 2. Thus, it can be said that theelectromagnet 20 serves as the feeding magnetic force exerting means, while theelectromagnet 21 serves as the receiving magnetic force exerting means. - Subsequently, both the feeding
rapier head 1 and the receivingrapier head 2 are moved backwardly or retracted toward the respective retraction dead center positions, whereby the weft Y held by the receivingrapier head 2 is caused to extend through the inter-warp shed. Themovable receiving gripper 12 of the receivingrapier head 2 arrived at the weft release position located immediately before the retraction dead center position is changed over from the weft grip position to the weft release position in response to application of the voltage represented by the waveform D2. As a consequence, the weft Y gets rid of the gripping action of the receivingrapier head 2. Thus, it can be said that theelectromagnet 21 serves as the weft releasing magnetic force exerting means. Subsequently, thereed 16 starts beating operation from the most retracted position thereof. - As will be appreciated from the above description, positions of the
movable grippers electromagnets 18 to 21. Upon disappearance of influence of the magnetic force, themovable grippers movable grippers electromagnets 18 to 21 and the spring forces of the rapier heads 1 and 2 themselves. Thus, the mechanism for positionally changing over themovable grippers - The arrangement for positively actuating the
movable grippers rapier head 1 as well as reliable transfer of the weft Y from the feedingrapier head 1 to the receivingrapier head 2. Certainly, the weft Y may also be caught without opening and closing the feedingrapier head 1. It should however be mentioned that the arrangement that the weft Y is introduced into between thegripping surfaces movable feeding gripper 8 is disposed at the weft release position and then themovable feeding gripper 8 is disposed at the weft grip position is more reliable when compared with the arrangement of catching the weft Y with the feedingrapier head 1 in the closed state thereof. At this juncture, it should also be added that the timing at which the weft Y is released from the feedingrapier head 1 exerts influence to the final insertion posture or state of the weft Y, which in turn affects the quality of the fabric. Besides, easiness of setting the optimal timing for the release of the weft Y from the feedingrapier head 1 contributes to improvement of the fabric quality. - The
electromagnets sley 17 and themovable feeding gripper 8 of the feedingrapier head 1 are positioned mutually very closely every time the magnetic forces of theelectromagnets electromagnets movable feeding gripper 8. Similarly, theelectromagnets sley 17 and the movable receivinggripper 12 of the receivingrapier head 2 are positioned mutually very closely upon activation of theelectromagnets electromagnets gripper 12. Furthermore, by setting properly the resiliency of themovable feeding gripper 8 itself and the spring force of theleaf spring 9, themovable feeding gripper 8 can be changed over to the weft grip position from the weft release position at a high speed. Similarly, by setting appropriately the spring force of thecompression spring 15, it is possible to change over the movable receivinggripper 12 from the weft release position to the weft grip position at a high speed. In this conjunction, it should be noted that the resiliency of themovable feeding gripper 8 itself and the spring force of theleaf spring 9 are selected to be sufficiently large for gripping the weft Y without fail. Similarly, the spring force of thecompression spring 15 is set large enough to grip the weft with reliability. The amplitude of the rated voltage V0 is so selected as to be capable of changing over themovable grippers - Thus, by combining appropriately the preset magnetic forces and spring forces, the change-over of the
movable grippers leaf spring 9 in the manner mentioned previously facilitates the setting of the desired spring force. In this conjunction, adjustment of the spring force of theleaf spring 9 can easily be realized by changing the number of theleaf springs 9 or the length thereof. It goes without saying that the high-speed positional change-over of themovable grippers - The apparatus for opening and closing the rapier heads 1 and 2 by using the
electromagnets 18 to 21 according to the instant embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in a simplified structure of a compact size when compared with the clamp opener apparatus disclosed in JP-A-5-195373 mentioned previously. With the structure of the prior art clamp opener, the lever for opening and closing the rapier head is brought into direct contact with the rapier head. Consequently, both the lever and the rapier heat undergo friction and abrasion, which results in error in the opening degree of the rapier head as well as the timings at which it is opened and closed. Besides, heat generated due to the friction impairs the precision of the parts constituting the rapier head. Of course, abrasion of the rapier head and deviation of precision of the parts provide obstruction to reliable transfer of the weft Y from the feeding (giver) rapier head to the receiver (taker) rapier head. By contrast, in the case of the apparatus according to the instant embodiment of the invention, themovable grippers - Furthermore, clearance between the rapier heads 1 and 2 running on the top surface of the
sley 17 is realized with high accuracy. Accordingly, the structure in which theelectromagnets 18 to 21 are installed on thesley 17 increases the accuracy of clearance between theelectromagnets 18 to 21 and themovable grippers electromagnets movable grippers movable grippers - Now, another embodiment of the present invention will be described by reference to Figs. 5 and 6. As is shown in Fig, 6, the sley in the weft inserting apparatus according to the instant embodiment is divided into three
sley members individual sley members sley swords 29 on a rocking shaft 30 (see Fig. 5) which is adapted to be reciprocatively rocked or swung by a reed driving mechanism (not shown). There are mountedelectromagnets sley members electromagnet 20 is interposed between thesley members electromagnet 21 being interposed between thesley members electromagnets 18 to 21 is supported on abreast beam 32 by way of abracket 31. Parenthetically, thebreast beam 32 is employed for supporting a fell plate serving for preventing the downward displacement of a fabric (not shown), a temple device for preventing shrinkage of fabric and an expansion bar, wherein very high accuracy is ensured for the positional relation between thesley 17 and thebreast beam 32. Thus, clearances between theelectromagnets 18 to 21 supported on thebreast beam 32 and themovable grippers electromagnets 18 to 21 and electric wires therefor are provided fixedly, possibility of breakage of the wires and occurrence of failure in theelectromagnets 18 to 21 can positively be suppressed. Additionally, thesley 17 as a whole can be implemented in light weight, which is very beneficial for increasing the beating operation speed. - Another embodiment of the weft inserting apparatus according to the present invention will be described by reference to Figs. 7 and 8. In these drawings, Fig. 7 will also be referenced in the description of other embodiments shown in Figs. 8 to 10. In the weft inserting apparatus according to the instant embodiment of the invention, a
movable feeding gripper 8A of the feedingrapier head 1 is comprised of anon-magnetic member 8b and amagnetic member 8c disposed to face in opposition to the electromagnet. Similarly, amovable receiving gripper 12A of the receivingrapier head 2 is comprised of a non-magnetic member 12b and amagnetic member 12c with themagnetic member 12c positioned to face oppositely to the electromagnet. Thenon-magnetic members 8b and 12b may preferably be made of a resin material with themagnetic members - The positions at which the
electromagnets 18 to 21 are mounted are same as in the case of the weft inserting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. Drivingcircuits electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, are each designed for outputting either one of the rated voltage V0 and the over-excitation voltage V1 in response to a command issued by the control computer C. Referring to Fig. 8, a waveform D3 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to theelectromagnet 18, while a waveform D4 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to theelectromagnet 19. Further, a waveform E3 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to theelectromagnet 20, while a waveform E4 represents an amplitude and a timing of a voltage applied to theelectromagnet 21. Each of the voltages represented by the waveforms D3, D4, E3 and E4 has a rated voltage level V0 and an over-excitation voltage level V1. The timings Td03, Td04, Te03 and Te04 at which the rated voltage V0 is applied as well as the timings Td13, Td14, Te13 and Te14 at which the over-excitation voltage V1 is applied are set by the voltage applicationtiming setting unit 27 and inputted to the control computer C. The control computer C issues voltage application commands for applying the rated voltage V0 or the over-excitation voltage V1 to the drivingcircuits 22A to 25A on the basis of angular position information of the loom as detected by therotary encoder 28 and the information concerning the voltage application timings mentioned above. In response to the voltage application commands mentioned above, the drivingcircuits 22A to 25A apply the rated voltage V0 and the over-excitation voltage V1 to theelectromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, at such timings the illustrated in Fig. 8. - Upon application of the magnetic forces of the
electromagnets movable feeding gripper 8A as well as upon application of the magnetic forces of theelectromagnets electromagnets 18; 20 and theelectromagnets 19; 21. In succession to application of the over-excitation voltage V1, the rated voltage V0 is applied. In response to application of the over-excitation voltage V1, themovable grippers movable grippers - Now, description will be directed to the weft inserting apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention by referring to Figs. 7 and 9. In the case of the weft inserting apparatus now under consideration, the
movable feeding gripper 8B of the feedingrapier head 1 is comprised of anon-magnetic member 8b and apermanent magnet 8d, wherein thepermanent magnet 8d is disposed in opposition to the electromagnet. Similarly, themovable receiving gripper 12B of the receivingrapier head 2 is composed of a non-magnetic member 12b and apermanent magnet 12d which is disposed in opposition to the electromagnet. The positions at which theelectromagnets 18 to 21 are installed are same as those of the weft inserting apparatus described hereinbefore in conjunction with the first embodiment of the invention. - The driving
circuits electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, are each designed for outputting either one of the rated voltage (+)V0 of plus polarity and the rated voltage (-)V0 of minus polarity in response to a command issued by the control computer C. Referring to Fig. 9, a waveform D5 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to theelectromagnet 18, while a waveform D6 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to theelectromagnet 19. Further, a waveform E5 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to theelectromagnet 20, while a waveform E6 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to theelectromagnet 21. The timings (+)Td5, (+)Td6, (+)Te5 and (+)Te6 at which the positive rated voltage (+)V0 is applied as well as the timings (-)Td5, (-)Td6, (-)Te5 and (-)Te6 at which the negative rated voltage (-)V0 is applied are set by the voltage applicationtiming setting unit 27 to be inputted to the control computer C. The control computer C issues voltage application commands for applying the positive rated voltage (+)V0 or the negative rated voltage (-)V0 to the drivingcircuits 22B to 25B on the basis of angular position information of the loom as obtained from the output of therotary encoder 28 and the information concerning the voltage application timings mentioned above. In response to the voltage application commands mentioned above, the drivingcircuits 22B to 25B apply the rated voltage (+)V0 of plus polarity or the rated voltage (-)V0 of minus polarity to theelectromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, at the timings illustrated in Fig. 9. - The
movable feeding gripper 8B is held at the weft grip position under the resiliency of themovable feeding gripper 8B and the spring force of theleaf spring 9 when no magnetic forces of theelectromagnets movable receiving gripper 12B are held at the weft grip position under the spring force of thecompression spring 15 when neither theelectromagnet 19 nor theelectromagnet 21 are active. The magnetic force as generated upon application of the rated voltage (+)V0 of plus polarity acts as a magnetic attracting force for themovable grippers movable gripper movable gripper movable grippers electromagnets 18 to 21 in the manner described above. For this reason, so far as the feedingrapier head 1 is concerned, magnitude of the spring force for gripping or grasping the weft under the resiliency of themovable feeding gripper 8B itself and that of theleaf spring 9 may be reduced to a necessary minimum. The same holds true for the spring force of thecompression spring 15 for allowing the receivingrapier head 2 to grip the weft. By selecting the resiliency of themovable feeding gripper 8B and the spring force of theleaf spring 9 as small as possible in this manner, the positional change-over of themovable feeding gripper 8B to the weft release position from the weft grip position can be accomplished with an increased speed. Similarly, by selecting the spring force of thecompression spring 15 as small as possible, the positional shift of themovable receiving gripper 12B to the weft release position from the weft grip position can be realized at an enhanced speed. - Next, description will be directed to a weft inserting apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention by reference to Figs. 7 and 10. In the case of the weft inserting apparatus according to the instant embodiment, the
movable feeding gripper 8B of the feedingrapier head 1 is comprised of anon-magnetic member 8b and apermanent magnet 8d, wherein thepermanent magnet 8d is so disposed as to face in opposition to the electromagnet. Similarly, themovable receiving gripper 12B of the receivingrapier head 2 is composed of a non-magnetic member 12b and apermanent magnet 12d which is disposed in opposition to the electromagnet. The positions at which theelectromagnets 18 to 21 are installed are same as those of the weft inserting apparatus described hereinbefore in conjunction with the first embodiment. - The driving
circuits electromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, are each designed for outputting either one of the rated voltage (+)V0 of plus polarity, the rated voltage (-)V0 of minus polarity, the over-excitation voltage (+)V1 of plus polarity and the over-excitation voltage (-)V1 of minus polarity in response to a command issued by the control computer C. Referring to Fig. 10, a waveform D7 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to theelectromagnet 18, while a waveform D8 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to theelectromagnet 19. Further, a waveform E7 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to theelectromagnet 20, while a waveform E8 represents amplitudes and timings of voltages applied to theelectromagnet 21. The timings (+)Td07, (+)Td08; (+)Te07, (+)Te08 at which the positive rated voltage (+)V0 is applied as well as the timings (-)Td07, (-)Td08; (-)Te07, (-)Te08 at which the negative rated voltage (-)V0 is applied are set by the voltage application timing setting unit 27 to be subsequently loaded to the control computer C. Similarly, the timings (+)Td17, (+)Td18; (+)Te17, (+)Te18 at which the over-excitation voltage (+)V1 of plus polarity is applied as well as the timings (-)Td17, (-)Td18; (-)Te17, (-)Te18 at which the over-excitation voltage (-)V1 of minus polarity is applied are preset by the voltage application timing unit 27 and inputted to the control computer C. The control computer C issues voltage application commands for applying the rated voltage (+)V0 of plus polarity, the rated voltage (-)V0 of minus polarity, the over-excitation voltage (+)V1 of plus polarity or the over-excitation voltage (-)V1 of minus polarity to the driving circuit 22C; 25C on the basis of the angular position information of the loom as obtained from the output of the rotary encoder 28 and the information concerning the voltage application timings mentioned above. In response to the voltage application commands mentioned above, the drivingcircuits 22C to 25C apply selectively the rated voltage (+)V0 of plus polarity, the rated voltage (-)V0 of minus polarity, the over-excitation voltage (+)V1 of plus polarity or the over-excitation voltage (-)V1 of minus polarity to theelectromagnets 18 to 21, respectively, at such timings as illustrated in Fig. 10. - In the weft inserting apparatus according to the instant embodiment of the invention, there can equally be obtained similar advantageous effects as mentioned previously in conjunction with the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. Additionally, because the over-excitation voltage is applied when the
movable feeding gripper 8B or themovable receiving gripper 12B is to be changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position as well, transition of themovable gripper movable feeding gripper 8B and themovable receiving gripper 12B from the weft release position to the weft grip position contributes to a high-speed operation of the loom. Among others, the high-speed operation of themovable feeding gripper 8B for allowing the feedingrapier head 1 to catch the weft is very effective for speeding up the weft insertion starting operation of the feedingrapier head 1. - Figure 11 shows a version of the weft inserting apparatus in which the
movable grippers permanent magnets movable feeding gripper 8B or themovable receiving gripper 12B is shifted to the weft grip position from the weft release position, the over-excitation voltage (+)V1 of plus polarity is applied first, as is represented by the waveforms D9, D10, E9, E10. However, when themovable feeding gripper 8B or themovable receiving gripper 12B is to be changed over from the weft release position to the weft grip position, only the rated voltage (-)V0 of minus polarity is applied. By making use of the over-excitation voltage (+)V1 of plus polarity upon changing-over of themovable feeding gripper 8B or themovable receiving gripper 12B from the weft release position to the weft grip position, resiliency of themovable grippers leaf spring 9 and thecompression spring 15 can be increased, which in turn enables themovable feeding gripper 8B or themovable receiving gripper 12B to be shifted from the weft release position to the welt grip position at an increased speed. - Next, description will turn to the welt inserting apparatuses according to yet further embodiments of the present invention by reference to Figs. 12 and 13. In the case of these embodiments, the
position limiting members 7c and 11c are spared in thestationary grippers buffer sheets 33 of a soft material such as moquette are secured to thesley 17 and theelectromagnets buffer sheets 33 are fixedly mounted only on theelectromagnets 18 to 21, respectively. When themovable feeding gripper 8A (or 8B) and themovable receiving gripper 12A (or 12B) are located at the welt release position, the warps are gripped between themovable gripper 8A (or 8B); 12A (or 12B) and thebuffer sheet 33. In that case, thebuffer sheet 33 functions to prevent the warps sandwiched between themovable gripper 8A (or 8B); 12A (or 12B) and the electromagnet from being injured. It should further be mentioned that omission of theposition limiting members 7c and 11c contributes to light-weight implementation of the rapier heads 1 and 2. - Parenthetically, it should also be added that in place of using the moquette for forming the
buffer sheet 33, the latter may be made of a sheet material such as of a synthetic resin, woven fabric, leather or the like. - Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described by reference to Figs. 14 and 15. In the weft inserting apparatus according to the instant embodiment, a plurality of (three in this case)
electromagnets electromagnets rapier head 2. Theelectromagnets electromagnets rapier head 1, themovable feeding gripper rapier head 2, themovable receiving gripper - A waveform E11 shown in Fig. 15 indicates an amplitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to the
electromagnet 20A by a driving circuit 24D1. On the other hand, a waveform E12 shown in the same figure indicates an amplitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to theelectromagnet 20B by a driving circuit 24D2. Further, a waveform E13 indicates a magnitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to theelectromagnet 20C by a driving circuit 24D3, while a waveform E14 indicates a magnitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to theelectromagnet 21A by a driving circuit 25E1. Furthermore, a waveform E15 indicates a magnitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to the electromagnet 21B by a driving circuit 25E2, while a waveform E16 indicates a magnitude and application timing of the rated voltage applied to theelectromagnet 21C by a driving circuit 25E3. Energization/deenergization of theelectromagnets electromagnets electromagnets movable feeding gripper 8A (or 8B) between the weft grip position and the weft release position in the course of moving of the feedingrapier head 1. Equally, the energization and deenergization of theelectromagnets movable receiving gripper 12A (or 12B) between the weft grip position and the weft release position even when the receivingrapier head 2 is moving. Thus, even in the case where the weft insertion is performed through cooperation of the rapier heads 1 and 2 within a short time, there can be ensured a sufficient time for effecting the positional shifts of themovable feeding gripper 8A (or 8B) and themovable receiving gripper 12A (or 12B) between the weft grip position and weft release position, respectively. At this juncture, it should be noted that availability of a sufficient time for the positional change-over of themovable feeding gripper 8A (or 8B) and themovable receiving gripper 12A (or 12B) can enhance the reliability of the weft transfer operation from the feedingrapier head 1 to the receivingrapier head 2. - As a modification of the weft inserting apparatus according to the instant embodiment of the invention, the voltage of minus polarity may be applied to the electromagnet in succession to a application of the voltage of plus polarity when the
movable feeding gripper 8B and themovable receiving gripper 12B are employed. In that case, there can be obtained advantageous effects similar to those described previously in conjunction with the embodiment shown in Fig. 9. As another modification, the energization/deenergization of the electromagnets in the relaying fashion may be performed only for the operation of the feedingrapier head 1 or alternatively only for the operation of the receivingrapier head 2. - Finally, description will turn to a construction of a weft inserting apparatus by reference to Figs. 16 and 17 which is not part of the invention. In the case of the weft inserting apparatus now under consideration, the feeding
rapier head 1 is implemented by securing fixedly a base end portion of a flexible movable feeding gripper 8C to thestationary feeding gripper 7A. Apiezoelectric device 35 is interposed between thestationary feeding gripper 7A and the movable feeding gripper 8C. On the other hand, the receivingrapier head 2 is implemented in such a structure in which a base end portion of a flexible movable feeding gripper 8C is secured to thestationary receiving gripper 11A. Equally, apiezoelectric device 36 is interposed between thestationary receiving gripper 11A and themovable receiving gripper 12C. Electric wires connected to thepiezoelectric devices rapier bands - As is shown in Fig. 16, the piezoelectric device 35 (or 36) is realized in such a structure in which
piezoelectric elements 35a (or 36a) are stacked alternately withelectric conductors 35b (or 36b) with thepiezoelectric element 35a (or 36a) being sandwiched between theconductors 35b (or 36b). One of theelectric conductors piezoelectric element piezoelectric device piezoelectric element piezoelectric device movable feeding gripper 8C of the feeding rapier head is disposed at the weft grip position upon voltage application to thepiezoelectric device 35 and changed over to the weft release position in response to clearing of the applied voltage. On the other hand, themovable receiving gripper 12C of the receiving rapier head is disposed at the weft grip position in response to the voltage application to thepiezoelectric device 36 and shifted to the weft release position when the voltage applied to thepiezoelectric device 36 is cleared. Although the expansion/contraction of thepiezoelectric devices piezoelectric devices movable feeding gripper 8C as well as that of themovable receiving gripper 12C, whereby expansion/contraction of thepiezoelectric device gripping surfaces - The driving force for changing over the
movable gripper piezoelectric device movable gripper rapier head 1 and the receivingrapier head 2. - The structure in which the
movable gripper piezoelectric device rapier head 1 as well as positive transfer of the weft Y from the feedingrapier head 1 to the receivingrapier head 2. - In the case of the weft inserting apparatus according to this construction the spring member for gripping the weft is rendered unnecessary. Further, the driving mechanism for shifting the
movable gripper - In the weft inserting apparatus according to the present invention, permanent magnets can be used as the magnetic force exerting means. By way of example, a permanent magnet may be disposed in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position at the weft insertion starting side. In the state in which the movable gripper of the feeding rapier head for the weft transfer is disposed at the weft release position, the weft insertion by the receiving rapier head is started. In that case, the weft can positively be caught by the weft feeding rapier head when such arrangement is adapted that the magnetic action of the permanent magnet becomes rapidly lowered substantially at the time point when the weft is caught. Alternatively, the permanent magnet may be disposed in the vicinity of the retraction dead center position at the weft insertion terminal side. The movable gripper of the receiving rapier head is disposed at the weft release position under the action of the magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet, whereupon the weft as transported by the receiving rapier head is released therefrom. As will now be understood from the foregoing description, with
- such arrangement of the weft inserting apparatus for the rapier loom that the movable gripper is positionally changed over between the weft grip position and the weft release position by switching the magnetic force exerting means between the state in which the magnetic force thereof acts on the magnetic force responsive movable gripper and the state in which the magnetic force does not act on the movable gripper or alternatively by switching the piezoelectric stack means between the state in which a voltage is applied thereto and the state in which no voltage is applied, there is achieved the aimed advantageous effect that the weft insertion can be performed with high reliability while substantially avoiding injury or damage to the warps.
- Many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent form the detailed description and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the system which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and combinations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described.
- By way of example, the present invention can be applied to a rapier loom in which each of the rapier heads is secured at a tip end of a rod which is adapted to be linearly and reciprocatively moved as well as a rapier loom in which the weft insertion is performed only by using a rapier head which is inserted into a shed defined by the warps from a weft insertion starting side.
- A weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom for weaving a fabric by inserting a weft through a shed formed by warps by reciprocatively moving feeding and receiving rapier heads through the shed. The feeding and receiving rapier heads (1; 2) are each constituted by a combination of a stationary gripper member (7; 11) and a movable gripper member (8; 12) made of a magnetic material. Electromagnets (18; 19) are disposed at both ends of a sley (17), respectively, while electromagnets (20; 21) are disposed at a mid portion of the sley. The movable gripper member (8) of the feeding rapier head (1) positioned in opposition to the electromagnets (19; 21) is displaced from a weft grip position to a weft release position by controlling the magnetic action of the electromagnets (18; 20), while the movable gripper member (12) of the receiving rapier head (2) disposed oppositely to the electromagnets (19; 21) is displaced from the weft grip position to the weft release position by controlling the magnetic action of the electromagnets (19; 21). The weft insertion can be carried cut with high reliability while positively protecting the weft against injury.
Claims (10)
- In a rapier loom for weaving a fabric by inserting a weft through a shed formed by warps by reciprocatively moving rapier heads (1, 2) each constituted by a combination of stationary and movable gripper members (7, 8; 11, 12) through said shed, a weft insertion method, characterized in that:said movable gripper member (8; 12), responsive to a magnetic force, is subjected to a magnetic force generated by electromagnetic means (20, 21) to selectively assume a weft grip position or a weft release position;said electromagnetic means (20, 21) is changed over between a first state in which said electromagnetic means (20, 21) applies a magnetic force to said movable gripper member (8; 12) and a second state in which said electromagnetic means (20, 21) applies no magnetic force to said movable gripper member (8; 12), wherein upon application of said magnetic force, said electromagnetic means (20, 21) is first applied with an over-excitation voltage, which is then followed by application of a rated voltage;said movable gripper member (8; 12) is positionally changed over between a weft grip position and a weft release position by switching said electromagnetic means (20, 21) between said first state and said second state; and
the weft is gripped by said movable gripper member (8; 12) by positionally changing it over from said weft release position to said weft grip position, while the weft is released by positionally changing it over to said weft release position from said weft grip position. - A weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom for weaving a fabric by inserting a weft through a shed formed by warps by reciprocatively moving rapier heads (1, 2) each constituted by a combination of stationary and movable gripper members (7, 8; 11, 12) through said shed, wherein magnetic force exerting means (20, 21) is disposed at a position in the vicinity of the weft insertion path, characterized in that:said movable gripper member (8, 12) is at least partially composed of a magnetic force responsive member; and
wherein said movable gripper member (8, 12) is exchangeably positioned between a weft grip position and a weft release position by changing over the state of said magnetic force exerting means (20, 21) between a first state in which magnetic force of said magnetic force exerting means acts on said magnetic force responsive member and a second state in which said magnetic force of said magnetic force exerting means does not act on said magnetic force responsive member. - A weft inserting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said rapier head means comprises feeding and receiving rapier heads (1, 2) each including stationary and movable gripper members (7, 8; 11, 12), the weft being inserted into said shed by transferring the weft caught by said feeding rapier head to said receiving rapier head.
- A weft inserting apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said magnetic force exerting means (20) for said feeding rapier head (1) are disposed in the vicinity of a weft insertion dead center position located on the weft insertion path of said feeding rapier head (1), and said magnetic force exerting means (21) for said receiving rapier head (2) are disposed in the vicinity of a weft insertion dead center position located on the weft insertion path of said receiving rapier head (2).
- A weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom according to claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of said feeding magnetic force exerting means (20) are disposed in series to one another along said weft insertion path of said feeding rapier head (1).
- A weft inserting apparatus for a rapier loom according to claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of said receiving magnetic force exerting means (21) are disposed in series to one another along said weft insertion path of said receiving rapier head (2).
- A weft inserting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said magnetic force exerting means (20, 21) is constituted by at last one electromagnet; and that said weft inserting apparatus further comprises:voltage application control means (c) for controlling application of voltage to said electromagnet;applied voltage level setting means (22 to 25) for setting a level of voltage applied to said electromagnet; andvoltage application timing setting means (27) for setting a timing at which said voltage is applied to said electromagnet.
- A weft inserting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that spring means (15) is provided in association with said movable gripper member (12), and said movable gripper member is held in a weft gripping state under a spring force of said spring means (15) and changed over to a weft releasing state under influence of said magnetic force.
- A weft inserting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that additional magnetic force exerting means (18, 19) is provided in the vicinity of a retraction dead center position of said rapier head (1, 2) for changing over said movable gripper member (8; 12) to said weft release position from said weft gripping position upon arrival of said rapier head (1, 2) at said retraction dead center position.
- A weft inserting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said magnetic force exerting means (20, 21) is comprised of an electromagnet which is initially applied with an over-excitation voltage and then applied with a rated voltage for changing over said movable gripper member (8; 12) from said weft grip position to said weft release position.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP98105886A EP0864678A1 (en) | 1994-06-06 | 1995-05-29 | Weft insertion method and apparatus for rapier loom |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP123903/94 | 1994-06-06 | ||
JP12390394 | 1994-06-06 | ||
JP6123903A JPH07331558A (en) | 1994-06-06 | 1994-06-06 | Weft-insertion method for rapier loom and apparatus therefor |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98105886A Division EP0864678A1 (en) | 1994-06-06 | 1995-05-29 | Weft insertion method and apparatus for rapier loom |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0690160A1 EP0690160A1 (en) | 1996-01-03 |
EP0690160B1 true EP0690160B1 (en) | 2000-08-16 |
Family
ID=14872198
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98105886A Withdrawn EP0864678A1 (en) | 1994-06-06 | 1995-05-29 | Weft insertion method and apparatus for rapier loom |
EP95108182A Expired - Lifetime EP0690160B1 (en) | 1994-06-06 | 1995-05-29 | Weft insertion method and apparatus for rapier loom |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98105886A Withdrawn EP0864678A1 (en) | 1994-06-06 | 1995-05-29 | Weft insertion method and apparatus for rapier loom |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP0864678A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH07331558A (en) |
KR (1) | KR960013897B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN1040675C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69518367T2 (en) |
TW (1) | TW297841B (en) |
Families Citing this family (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE29808997U1 (en) * | 1998-05-18 | 1998-07-30 | Textilma Ag | Gripper and a weft insertion device for a rapier weaving machine |
FR2783842A1 (en) * | 1998-09-30 | 2000-03-31 | Icbt Diederichs Sa | DEVICE FOR INSERTING THE WEFT YARN |
DE19852794B4 (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2004-03-25 | Lindauer Dornier Gmbh | Controllable weft feeder and clamping device for weaving machines |
DE10134504A1 (en) * | 2001-07-05 | 2003-01-16 | Picanol Nv | Method and device for opening a gripper clamp of a gripper of a weaving machine |
CN1555438A (en) | 2001-09-17 | 2004-12-15 | Pbt(Ip)有限公司 | High speed yarn transfer system incorporating reversing linkage and electro-optical synchronisation |
RU2005114024A (en) * | 2002-10-10 | 2005-10-10 | Линдауер Дорнир Гезелльшафт Мбх (De) | METHOD FOR MANAGING COMPONENTS OF A WORKING BODY IN A WEAVING MACHINES AND A WEAVING MACHINE FOR IMPLEMENTING A METHOD |
WO2008052369A1 (en) * | 2006-10-30 | 2008-05-08 | Textilma Ag | Weft thread infeed device for a gripper weaving machine |
EP1918437A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 | 2008-05-07 | Sultex AG | Method and device for weft insertion |
ATE521742T1 (en) * | 2007-08-28 | 2011-09-15 | Textilma Ag | WEFT THREAD INSERTION DEVICE FOR A HANGER WEAVING MACHINE |
EP2388361A1 (en) | 2010-05-18 | 2011-11-23 | Textilma AG | Gripper and weft thread insertion device for a rapier weaving machine |
US9074307B2 (en) * | 2011-05-27 | 2015-07-07 | Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. | Loom and weaving method using the same |
CN102251336B (en) * | 2011-07-21 | 2013-03-27 | 经纬纺织机械股份有限公司 | Electromagnetic weft insertion weft carrier, rapier for electromagnetic weft insertion as well as electromagnetic weft insertion method |
CN103409890B (en) * | 2013-07-18 | 2014-11-05 | 江南大学 | Weft delivering feeding device for weaving bending-free fabric |
CN104642573A (en) * | 2015-02-26 | 2015-05-27 | 潜山县妙山茶业有限公司 | Process for making mulberry leaf tea |
CN105951280B (en) * | 2016-07-07 | 2018-04-13 | 安徽省兰飞化纤织造有限公司 | A kind of gripper shuttle loom for weaving sieve |
CN106544777B (en) * | 2016-11-08 | 2017-11-17 | 武汉纺织大学 | Floated the projectile shuttle Weft insertion method and device of a kind of electromagnetic drive |
CN106381601B (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2018-03-09 | 佛山慈慧通达科技有限公司 | A kind of more rapier weft inserting equipment of novel three dimension fabric loom and its method for weaving |
CN106592067A (en) * | 2016-12-30 | 2017-04-26 | 武汉纺织大学 | Electromagnetic launching device and method for weft insertion of ultra-wide loom |
CN108660589A (en) * | 2018-04-16 | 2018-10-16 | 吴江市鼎盛丝绸有限公司 | A kind of rapier loom and its Weft insertion method |
CN110670208B (en) * | 2019-09-04 | 2022-03-25 | 西安工程大学 | Electromagnetic weft insertion weft gripper, opener and weft gripping method thereof |
CN110629366B (en) * | 2019-10-10 | 2020-12-22 | 海宁市经之纬家纺织造有限公司 | Double-thread weaving device for textile weft |
CN111705396B (en) * | 2020-05-29 | 2022-06-03 | 江苏万邦特种纺织发展有限公司 | Rapier loom weft insertion device for waterproof cloth of canoe and processing technology thereof |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL7217620A (en) * | 1972-12-22 | 1974-06-25 | ||
FR2372256A1 (en) * | 1976-06-04 | 1978-06-23 | Piquemal Jean | Weft carrier with an electronically operated gripper - to catch the weft and take it through the shed |
GB2059455A (en) * | 1979-09-29 | 1981-04-23 | Northrop Weaving Machinery Ltd | Improvements in or relating to looms with stationary weft supply |
BE1000703A4 (en) * | 1987-06-29 | 1989-03-14 | Picanol Nv | Wire clamp. |
DE59207102D1 (en) * | 1991-07-24 | 1996-10-17 | Rueti Ag Maschf | Rapier weaving machine with weft insertion device that can be adjusted to thread properties |
DE59306886D1 (en) * | 1993-05-12 | 1997-08-14 | Rueti Ag Maschf | Thread holder for a rapier gripper and rapier weaving machine with thread holder |
-
1994
- 1994-06-06 JP JP6123903A patent/JPH07331558A/en active Pending
-
1995
- 1995-05-25 TW TW084105276A patent/TW297841B/zh active
- 1995-05-29 DE DE69518367T patent/DE69518367T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-05-29 EP EP98105886A patent/EP0864678A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-05-29 EP EP95108182A patent/EP0690160B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-02 KR KR1019950014876A patent/KR960013897B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-06-05 CN CN95106585A patent/CN1040675C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-04-20 CN CN98106679A patent/CN1077617C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1203289A (en) | 1998-12-30 |
CN1077617C (en) | 2002-01-09 |
EP0864678A1 (en) | 1998-09-16 |
KR960013897B1 (en) | 1996-10-10 |
EP0690160A1 (en) | 1996-01-03 |
DE69518367T2 (en) | 2001-02-22 |
CN1119681A (en) | 1996-04-03 |
CN1040675C (en) | 1998-11-11 |
TW297841B (en) | 1997-02-11 |
KR960001246A (en) | 1996-01-25 |
JPH07331558A (en) | 1995-12-19 |
DE69518367D1 (en) | 2000-09-21 |
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