EP2773800B1

EP2773800B1 - Heald frame with a reinforcement profile

Info

Publication number: EP2773800B1
Application number: EP12791109.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joost Deseyne
Original assignee: Picanol NV
Current assignee: Picanol NV
Priority date: 2011-11-03
Filing date: 2012-10-12
Publication date: 2018-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-12
Also published as: CN104024500A; WO2013064355A3; BE1020352A3; WO2013064355A2; EP2773800A2; CN104024500B

Description

The invention relates to a heald frame with a reinforcement profile, to a transverse element for such a heald frame, to a weaving machine with such a heald frame and to a method for producing such a heald frame.
It is known to provide a heald frame with a top transverse element and a bottom transverse element which are connected to side elements in order to form a heald frame. In the following description and claims the top transverse element and the bottom transverse element are referred to as transverse elements.
In order to allow high-speed weaving, heald frames should be as light and rigid as possible. It is known in the prior art to provide heald frames made of a light material such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy or a composite material. In order to ensure a sufficient rigidity, it is known to provide a reinforcement profile, which is fastened to the heald frame.
Healds are provided on the heald frame with considerable play or clearance in order to allow a weaver to move the healds. As a result, the healds also move during a weaving process. In order to counteract the wear caused by the sliding movement of the healds, it is known to provide heald carrier profiles which are fastened to the transverse elements. Preferably, the heald carrier profiles are made of a wear-resistant material such as steel or a similar material.
Heald frames with one or more reinforcement profiles are described, for example, in EP 1 516 948 A1 , US 4,633,916 , US 3,754,577 , WO 2008/040559 A1 , WO 2011/023383 A1 , JP 2006-138040 A , EP 1 528 130 A2 and EP 0 457 210 A1 . From these documents it is known, for example, to provide carbon fiber, carbon fiber reinforced or other fiber reinforced reinforcement profiles.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved heald frame with a high rigidity in order to allow high-speed weaving and/or weaving with heald frames having relatively large dimensions in lengthwise direction, which heald frame is easily produced or manufactured. It is further an object of the invention to provide a weaving machine with such a heald frame and a method for producing such a heald frame.
This object is solved by a heald frame according to claim 1.
A heald frame according to the invention comprises a transverse element with a hollow profile member with at least one cavity, wherein the at least one cavity is provided with a receiving section extending over at least a part of the length of the transverse element, a reinforcement profile which is inserted in the at least one cavity, and fastening means for fastening the reinforcement profile in the receiving section of the transverse element, wherein the receiving section is adapted for receiving the reinforcement profile when the reinforcement profile is axially displaced in the lengthwise direction of the transverse element and is in a first angular position relative to the transverse element, and wherein fastening means are provided for fastening the reinforcement profile in the receiving section of the transverse element, wherein the cavity is further provided with a hollow section, wherein the receiving section and the hollow section are positioned stacked in the height of the transverse element and are connected via an opening, wherein the opening is adapted for letting pass or guiding the fastening means while the reinforcement profile is in the first angular position relative to the transverse element, and wherein a fastening by the fastening means is achieved by relative rotation of the reinforcement profile and the receiving section of the transverse element.
In the context of the application, a relative rotation of the reinforcement profile and the receiving section of the transverse element is defined as a relative rotational displacement between the reinforcement profile and the receiving section of the transverse element, wherein both elements can rotate in opposite directions, both elements can rotate in the same direction with a different rotation angle, or only one element, preferably the reinforcement profile, can be rotated with respect to the second element, preferably the receiving section of the transverse element.
The reinforcement profile can easily be inserted into the receiving section from a side end of the transverse element, also named insertion entry, in particular while the reinforcement profile is in a first angular position relative to the transverse element, also named first angular orientation. In one embodiment, the length of the reinforcement profile extends over a limited part of the length of the transverse element. In preferred embodiments, the reinforcement profile extends over the entire length of the transverse profile. The reinforcement profile and the receiving section are preferably formed in order to make at least an easy insertion possible when both are aligned in the first angular position. The fastening is achieved when rotating the reinforcement profile with respect to the receiving section for fastening the reinforcement profile inside the transverse element.
The receiving section has an opening adapted for letting pass or guiding the fastening means while the reinforcement profile is in the first angular position relative to the transverse element. The opening allows the fastening means to be guided or let pass during the relative movement in lengthwise direction and/or to prevent that the fastening is achieved well before a desired positioning in lengthwise direction of the reinforcement profile is attained.
The cavity is provided with a hollow section, wherein the receiving section and the hollow section are positioned stacked in the height of the transverse element and are connected via an opening, in other words an opening is formed between the hollow section and the receiving section. This allows a rigid structure of the transverse element. Preferably, the receiving section and the hollow section are stacked in the height so that the receiving section is closer to the inner side of the transverse element than the hollow section in order to allow a higher rigidity in the region, in which forces are introduced.
In preferred embodiments, glue is provided as fastening means, wherein the glue is spread by rotation of the reinforcement profile relative to the receiving section. Using glue, also named adhesive, as a fastening means allows an easy and secure fastening without clearance after fastening by the glue. The type of glue is for example adapted to the material, which is used for the reinforcement profile and/or for the receiving section. In order to improve the fastening of a reinforcement profile in the transverse element, undulating surfaces may be provided, preferably on the reinforcement profile, similar to the ones that are for example described in WO 2008/040559 A1 , the content of which is hereby fully incorporated in the application.
In preferred embodiments, glue is spread over a limited area of the outer surface of the reinforcement profile, whereby the width of the limited area corresponds to the width of the opening. The opening is realized in one embodiment by providing a gap in the contour of the receiving section. In other embodiments, the opening is provided by forming a bulge on the contour of the receiving section.
In preferred embodiments, the reinforcement profile has an elongated cylindrical shape with a rotationally symmetric cross-section or an essentially rotationally symmetric cross-section. The reinforcement profile in one embodiment is in the shape of a circular cylinder with a hollow or solid profile. This allows an easy producing and an easy handling when inserting or rotating the reinforcement profile for achieving the fastening, for example for spreading the glue. The outer surface in one embodiment is undulated in the lengthwise direction and/or the cross-section for increasing the effective bonding surface. In other embodiments, the surface is roughened for improving the bonding effect. Such outer surfaces are referred to as essentially rotationally symmetric in the context of the application.
The contour of the receiving section is adapted to the outer shape of the reinforcement profile for allowing a relative movement in lengthwise direction, at least while the reinforcement profile is in the first angular position relative to the transverse element. In preferred embodiments, the receiving section has a rotationally symmetric cross-section or an essentially rotationally symmetric cross-section in the cross-direction of the transverse element. When the receiving section and the reinforcement profile are both provided with a rotationally symmetric or essentially rotationally symmetric cross-section, a relative movement in lengthwise direction is possible in any angular position. Therefore, a producing of the heald frame is facilitated. In preferred embodiments, the cavity has a closed cross-section in the cross-direction of the transverse element in order to make possible a rigid structure of the transverse element.
According to a preferred embodiment, the heald frame comprises a top and a bottom transverse element, which are connected with the aid of two side elements. The sides of the top and of the bottom transverse element facing each other are referred to as the inner sides of the transverse elements. The sides of the top and of the bottom transverse element that are arranged at an outer side of the heald frame, are referred to as the outer sides of the transverse elements. On the top transverse element, the inner side corresponds to the under side of the transverse element, while the outer side corresponds to the upper side of the transverse element. On the bottom transverse element, the inner side of the transverse element corresponds to the upper side of the transverse element, while the outer side corresponds to the under side of the transverse element.
In one embodiment, the hollow profile member is provided with a number of cavities, wherein at least one cavity, in particular a cavity closest to the inner side of the transverse element, is provided with a receiving section. Providing a reinforcement profile close to the inner side allows for a rigid structure in the region in which forces are introduced to the heald frame.
According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement profile is a carbon fiber or a carbon fiber reinforced reinforcement profile.
According to preferred embodiments, the transverse elements are made of a lightweight material such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy or a composite material. If a heald carrier profile is available, the heald carrier profile and the transverse element are preferably made of a different material in order to produce a lightweight heald frame with a sufficient wear resistance on the heald carrier profile. The heald carrier profile is preferably made of a wear-resistant material such as steel.
According to an embodiment, the transverse element is formed utilizing metal forming techniques. Alternatively, shaping techniques, such as rolling or extruding, can be used to shape the transverse element.
In preferred embodiments, the heald frame further comprises a heald carrier profile to hold the healds, which heald carrier profile is fastened to the transverse element. In preferred embodiments, the heald carrier profile is fastened to the transverse element using an adhesive or glue.
This object is further solved by a weaving machine according to claim 7, more in particular a weaving machine provided with a heald frame according to claim 1.
Further, the object is solved by a method according to claim 8.
According to the invention, the reinforcement profile is inserted from an insertion entry at a side end of the transverse element into a receiving section of the cavity extending over at least a part of the length of the transverse element by a relative movement of the reinforcement profile and the transverse element in the lengthwise direction of the transverse element with a fixed first angular orientation and the reinforcement profile is fastened to the transverse element by a relative rotation of the reinforcement element and the receiving section of the transverse element.
In preferred embodiments, the fastening is achieved by the fastening means when rotating the reinforcement profile relative to the receiving section. In order to allow the insertion of the reinforcement profile with fastening means in the receiving section, in preferred embodiments, the receiving section is provided with an opening extending over at least a part of the length of the transverse element, wherein the fastening means are provided, which fastening means are guided or passed through the opening upon the insertion of the reinforcement profile into the receiving section.
In preferred embodiments, glue is applied on at least an area of the reinforcement profile. In preferred embodiments the glue is applied while the reinforcement profile is inserted into the receiving section.
Preferably, the glue is applied on a limited area of the surface of the reinforcement profile, which glue is spread over the receiving section by rotation of the reinforcement profile relative to the receiving section. The reinforcement profile is oriented with respect to the receiving section so that the area with glue applied is aligned with the opening of the receiving section. Hence, the glue is guided or allowed to pass via the opening, while the reinforcement profile is moved in lengthwise direction. At the end of the insertion of the reinforcement profile, the reinforcement profile and the transverse element are relatively rotated so that the glue is spread over the contour of the reinforcement profile and/or the receiving section. Thereafter, the glue fastens the two elements.
In another preferred embodiment, glue is applied to at least one end region of the receiving section, in particular to the end region opposite to the insertion entry at which the reinforcement profile is inserted. Preferably, the reinforcement profile is not fully inserted when rotating the reinforcement profile for achieving the fastening. Therefore, no glue is supplied to the end region opposite the insertion entry via the reinforcement profile. By supplying additional glue to the end region of the receiving section opposite the insertion entry, a fastening in this region is also ensured when the reinforcement profile will be fully inserted in the receiving section.
Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same elements are indicated by the same reference numbers. In the drawings is:

figure 1 a schematic view of a heald frame;
figure 2 a schematic perspective view of the top transverse element of a heald frame to which a reinforcement profile according to the invention is fastened;
figure 3 a schematic side view of the top transverse element of the heald frame of figure 2;
figure 4 a schematic perspective view of the top transverse element of a heald frame of figure 2 before a reinforcement profile is inserted in the transverse element, while glue is provided on the reinforcement profile;
figure 5 a schematic perspective view of the top transverse element of a heald frame of figure 4 after the reinforcement profile is inserted in the transverse element, while the glue is spread over the reinforcement profile;
figure 6 an enlarged view of a part of the heald frame of figure 5;
figure 7 an enlarged view of the part of figure 6 after the relative rotation;
figure 8 a variant embodiment similar to figure 3; and
figure 9 a further variant embodiment similar to figure 3.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a heald frame 1 which comprises two transverse elements 2, namely a bottom transverse element 2 and a top transverse element 2. A heald carrier profile 3 is fastened to each of the transverse elements 2. Healds 4 are arranged to the heald carrier profiles 3. The transverse elements 2 are connected to side elements 5. The sides of the transverse elements 2 facing each other are referred to as the inner sides 11. The sides opposite to the inner sides 11 are referred to as the outer sides 12.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the top transverse element 2 of the heald frame 1. The heald carrier profile 3 is fastened to the front of the transverse element 2 at the inner side 11 of the transverse element 2. The heald carrier profile 3 is fastened to the transverse element 2 by glue 6. In the example of figure 2, the heald carrier profile 3 has a C-shape.
In order to improve the rigidity of the transverse element 2, in the embodiment shown a carbon fiber reinforcement profile 7 is arranged at an outer side 12 of the transverse element 2, for example as known from WO 2008/040559 A1 . In addition, in the embodiment shown a synthetic damping strip 8 facing the heald carrier profile 3 is arranged on the transverse element 2, for example as known from EP 1240371 B1 .
The depicted transverse element 2 comprises an elongate hollow profile member 21 and a slat 22 which are integrally formed. The slat 22 comprises a collar 23 to which the heald carrier profile 3 is fastened. The elongate hollow profile member 21 and the slat 22 are for example made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy or a composite material in order to obtain a lightweight transverse element 2. In order to further reduce the weight of the transverse element 2, the elongate hollow profile member 21 is provided with a number of cavities 24, 25, 26 and 27.
According to the invention, a reinforcement profile 10 is arranged inside the transverse element 2, more in particular inside the cavity 27 closest to the inner side 11. The cavity 27 is provided with a receiving section 9 adapted for receiving a reinforcement profile 10 which is axially displaceable in the lengthwise direction of the transverse element 2. The depicted reinforcement profile 10 has an elongated cylindrical shape with a round, this means circular cross-section. The reinforcement profile 10 is fastened to the transverse element 2 by means of glue. The depicted reinforcement profile 10 has a relative smooth surface. In other embodiments, the reinforcement profile 10 has an undulating surface or a certain roughness in order to improve a secure fastening by glue. The reinforcement profile 10 is preferably a carbon fiber reinforcement profile.
As can be understood from figure 3, the receiving section 9 has an essentially rotationally symmetric cross-section in the cross-direction of the transverse element 2. The cavity 27 is further provided with a hollow section 13. The receiving section 9 and the hollow section 13 are positioned stacked in the height of the transverse element 2 and are connected via an opening 14, for example formed as a gap. Preferably, the receiving section 9 and the hollow section 13 are stacked in the height so that the receiving section 9 is closer to the inner side 11 of the transverse element than the hollow section 13.
In figure 4 a transverse element 2 with a receiving section 9 for a reinforcement profile 10 and the reinforcement profile 10 are shown before the reinforcement profile 10 is inserted in the receiving section 9 of the transverse element 2. By means of a supply unit 15 for glue 16, glue 16 is provided on top of the reinforcement profile 10, while the reinforcement profile 10 is moved axially with respect to the transverse element 2, while keeping the reinforcement profile 10 in a first angular position relative to the receiving section 9. In other words, the reinforcement profile 10 is moved in lengthwise direction A of the transverse element 2 without rotating the reinforcement profile 10 relative to the transverse element 2. The glue 16 is supplied to an area 20 of the reinforcement profile 10 which can pass along the opening 14.
According to an embodiment the glue 16 is supplied by means a of supply unit 15 on top of the reinforcement profile 10 at the height of the insertion entry 18, more particularly at the height of the hollow section 13 near the side end 19 of the transverse profile 2. This allows to apply the glue 16 on the reinforcement profile 10 so that the glue 16 is guided or can pass surely via the opening 14 while the reinforcement profile 10 is inserted in the receiving section 9. This allows also to apply only glue 16 after the reinforcement profile 10 is inserted over a small distance in the receiving section 9.
When the reinforcement profile 10 is almost fully inserted in the transverse element 2, as depicted in figures 5 and 6, the reinforcement profile 10 is rotated, for example in direction R, in the receiving section 9 so that the glue 16 is spread along the reinforcement profile 10 and/or the receiving section 9 for fastening the reinforcement profile 10 to the transverse element 2, as depicted in figure 7.
In order to improve the glueing, glue 16 can be applied near the end regions of the receiving section 9 before the reinforcement profile 10 is inserted. This is advantageous for applying glue 16 at the end region 17 of the receiving section 9 opposite to the insertion entry 18 at a side end 19 of the transverse element 2 because for allowing a manipulation of the reinforcement profile 10, the reinforcement profile 10 may not be fully inserted in the receiving section 9 during rotating the reinforcement profile 10 before spreading the glue.
Figure 8 shows an embodiment comparable to figure 3, wherein a transverse element 2 is only reinforced with a reinforcement profile 10 according to the invention that is fastened inside the transverse element 2, in particular in the receiving section 9 of the cavity 27 that is situated in the vicinity of the heald carrier profile 3. The reinforcement profile 10 as depicted in figure 6 is a hollow reinforcement profile, for example tube shaped. In figure 8 the heald carrier profile 3 has a J-shape.
Figure 9 shows an embodiment comparable to figure 3, wherein a reinforcement profile 10 with an undulating surface is provided that is arranged near the inner side 11.
It is clear that a suitable glue can be chosen for the glue 6 applied for fastening the heald carrier profile 3 and the glue 16 applied for fastening the reinforcement profile 10. The glue 16 applied for fastening the reinforcement profile 10 can be chosen in order to fasten the reinforcement profile 10 inside the receiving section 9 at the height of the cavity 27 of the transverse element 2, while the glue 6 applied for fastening the heald carrier profile 3 can be chosen in order to connect the heald carrier profile 3 to the slat 22 of the transverse element 2 taking into account different material mating.
In another non-depicted embodiment, a transverse element 2 is provided, wherein only a top reinforcement profile 7 and no reinforcement profile 10 according to the invention is arranged to the transverse element 2. Such a transverse element 2 may be provided with a receiving section 9 according to the invention allowing a suitable preparation for inserting a reinforcement profile 10 only when required. Hence, it is clear that a transverse element 2 with a respective receiving section 9 is suitable for applying the invention by inserting a reinforcement profile 10.
The fastening means can be of any kind in order to allow a fastening by form locking, force locking or material locking of the reinforcement profile inside the transverse element. In one embodiment, the fastening means are provided in the form of a springloaded clamp for providing a force locking. In other embodiments, a form-locking is attained using click connections. In one embodiment the fastening means are provided as separate means or for example elements provided between the elements to be fastened. In other embodiments, the fastening means are formed integrally with the reinforcement profile or with the receiving section, for example to allow an interlocking. For example, a force-loaded wedge is provided on the reinforcement profile that is guided in the opening 14 during the movement in lengthwise direction and that allows a fastening of the reinforcement profile in the receiving section by rotating the reinforcement profile with respect to the receiving section.
The heald carrier profiles may have any suitable shape and/or can be fastened to the transverse elements in any way, for example as known from WO 2011/023383 , WO 2008/040559 or WO 2006/058565 .
The heald frame, the transverse element, the weaving machine and the method according to the invention represented in the claims are not limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated and described by way of example, but can also include variants and combinations thereof that come under the claims.

Claims

Heald frame comprising
- a transverse element (2) with a hollow profile member (21) with at least one cavity (27), wherein the at least one cavity (27) is provided with a receiving section (9) extending over at least a part of the length of the transverse element (2),

- a reinforcement profile (10) which is inserted in the at least one cavity (27), and

- fastening means for fastening the reinforcement profile (10) in the receiving section (9) of the transverse element (2),
wherein the receiving section (9) is adapted for receiving the reinforcement profile (10), when the reinforcement profile (10) is axially displaced in the lengthwise direction of the transverse element (2) and is in a first angular position relative to the transverse element (2), characterized
- in that the cavity (27) is further provided with a hollow section (13), wherein the receiving section (9) and the hollow section (13) are positioned stacked in the height of the transverse element (2) and are connected via an opening (14),

- in that the opening (14) is adapted for letting pass or guiding the fastening means while the reinforcement profile (10) is in the first angular position relative to the transverse element (2), and

- in that a fastening by the fastening means is achieved by relative rotation of the reinforcement profile (10) and the receiving section (9) of the transverse element (2).
Heald frame according to claim 1, characterized in that glue (16) is provided as fastening means, wherein the glue (16) is spread by rotation of the reinforcement profile (10) relative to the receiving section (9).
Heald frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reinforcement profile (10) has an elongated cylindrical shape with a rotationally symmetric cross-section or an essentially rotationally symmetric cross-section and/or the receiving section (9) has a rotationally symmetric cross-section or an essentially rotationally symmetric cross-section in the cross-direction of the transverse element (2).
Heald frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cavity (27) has a closed cross-section in the cross-direction of the transverse element (2).
Heald frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hollow profile member (21) is provided with a number of cavities (24, 25, 26, 27), wherein at least one cavity (27), in particular a cavity (27) closest to the inner side (11) of the transverse element (2), is provided with a receiving section (9).
Heald frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reinforcement profile (10) is a carbon fiber or a carbon fiber reinforced reinforcement profile (10).
Weaving machine provided with at least one heald frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
Method for producing a heald frame (1) comprising a transverse element (2) with a hollow profile member (21) having at least a cavity (27), and a reinforcement profile (10), which is attached to the transverse element (2), characterized in that the reinforcement profile (10) is inserted from an insertion entry (18) at a side end (19) of the transverse element (2) into a receiving section (9) of the cavity (27) extending over at least a part of the length of the transverse element (2) by a relative movement of the reinforcement profile (10) and the transverse element (2) in the lengthwise direction of the transverse element (2) with a fixed angular orientation and the reinforcement profile (10) is fastened to the transverse element (2) by a relative rotation of the reinforcement profile (10) and the receiving section (9) of the transverse element (2).
Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the receiving section (9) is provided with an opening (14) extending over at least a part of the length of the transverse element (2), wherein the fastening means are provided for fastening the reinforcement profile (10) to the transverse element (2) by rotation of the reinforcement profile (10) relative to the receiving section (9), which fastening means are guided in the opening (14) upon insertion of the reinforcement profile (10) into the receiving section (9).
Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that glue (16) is applied on at least an area (20) of the reinforcement profile (10).
Method according to claiml0, characterized in that the glue (16) is applied on a limited area (20) of the surface of the reinforcement profile (10), which glue (16) is spread over the receiving section (9) by rotation of the reinforcement profile (10) relative to the receiving section (9).
Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that glue (16) is applied to an end region of the receiving section (9), in particular to the end region (17) opposite to the insertion entry (18) at which the reinforcement profile (10) is inserted.