FR2907804A1 - Pick insertion device for shuttle loom, has coupling unit to removably couple rapier with spool, and maintaining unit to removably maintain spool, such that spool is maintained by sheath or at end of rapier - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a rapier (44) defining a direction, and including an end with a removable coupling unit e.g. clip. The unit removably couples the rapier with a spool, and a removable maintaining unit e.g. clip, of a sheath (46) removably maintains the spool, such that the spool is maintained by the sheath or at the end of the rapier. The spool contains a weft thread winding (38) forming picks. An independent claim is also included for a method of inserting a pick.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INSERTING A DUTY DESCRIPTION DOMAIN

  TECHNIQUE The invention relates to an alternative to the insertions of the pile between the warp yarns during weaving. The system according to the invention makes it possible to ensure continuity of weft yarn, to increase the precision in the orientation of the pick with respect to the sheet, and to minimize the friction. The device and the method according to the invention are particularly suitable for three-dimensional weaving and for technical textiles of fragile and / or abrasive fibers such as carbon. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART Weaving has been used since ancient times to produce fiber-based fabrics organized in the form of yarns. Despite the mechanization and automation of the process or its use for so-called technical textiles, for example as reinforcements of composite materials, the present weaving process rests on the same bases as before and, as such, has changed little.

  In fact, all woven fabrics comprise an interlacing of yarns divided into two categories the warp yarns are yarns parallel to the edges of the fabric, and they are crisscrossed, according to a pattern called armor, with a perpendicular series of weft yarns. . The simplest weave consists of an alternation in which each weft yarn passes successively above and below a warp yarn, with a shift from one weft to another (plain weave). To produce a weave 1, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, the warp yarns 2 are firstly wound on the same support, the beam 3, parallel to each other and over a width which will correspond to the width of the fabric. 1; a creel is used to facilitate this operation in the case of fragile materials. The weft thread 4 will be passed between the warp threads 2, each passage corresponding to a pick. Depending on the type of picking vector, the web 2 'of warp yarns 2 may be prepared (for example by gluing) in order to increase its mechanical strength, in particular to friction. The passage of each pick is facilitated by making a crowd 5 in the web 2 ', i.e. by raising or lowering some warp threads 2 relative to the others, so that a gap of angular passage 5 is created. To create the crowd 5, the warp threads 2 are retracted into heddles 6, which will undergo the movement perpendicular to the ply 2 '25 resulting from the beam 3. Different mechanisms (frame, Jacquard) can create crowds according to the armor required. The insertion of the pick 4 can be done by various methods. An old conventional method comprises projecting, across the web, a shuttle 7, tool which holds a bobbin 8, the latter containing a winding of a certain length of weft yarn 4. Whenever a pick is passed through the crowd, a comb 9 in the teeth of which are taken the warp son 2 comes pack 5 on the fabric 1 already formed, while the rails 6 are actuated to create another crowd 5 which depends on the 'armor. However, it appears that the passage of the 4 shuttle 4 pick 7 generates friction. If gluing sometimes makes it possible to increase the mechanical strength, this solution can not be adopted for all textiles, and in particular, not for reinforcing threads for composite structures with high strength.

Other systems of passage of the pick have thus been developed. In particular, jets of fluid (water or gas) can carry the wire on the other side of the sheet; it is also possible to use a lance or even two lances which extend over the half of the sheet each: a lance grasps the weft yarn to transmit it, in the middle of the sheet, to the other. These solutions, however, allow the passage of only a finite and short length of wire. However, in some uses, the continuity of the weft yarn is important. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention proposes, in one of these aspects, to overcome the drawbacks of the existing insertion inserts and concerns a system combining the advantages of projection in terms of non-deterioration of the warp yarns, and of the shuttle in terms of continuity of inserted weft thread. In particular, the device according to the invention comprises a lance which can be coupled, by suitable means, removably to a coil which may contain a winding of weft yarn, for example containing carbon yarn. The device further comprises a sleeve that can detachably hold the coil, for example a receptacle in which the coil and the weft winding can be inserted. The coupling and holding can in particular be made by clamps. Means may be provided for guiding the spool upon insertion into the sheath; in particular, one end of the coil, opposite to the end coupled to the lance, is associated unitarily or not with a point, which cooperates with an inner surface of the flared sheath towards a hole: during its insertion, the The tip of the coil is guided by the wall of the orifice in a progressive manner, so that the wire and the coil do not abut on the sides of the sleeve. This makes it possible to compensate for any misalignment, and to protect the wire, especially when it is made of carbon. According to the invention, the coil can be alternately maintained by the sleeve or the lance. According to some embodiments, it may be advantageous to leave the possibility of inserting the lance into the sheath on each side: for this purpose, the coil is provided with coupling means to the lance at each end, and the associated sheath is pierced on both sides. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one other lance is provided, and the sleeve is movable between the directions defined by the lances: the coil can be inserted into a sheet by one of the lances, then positioned in the sheath, and then inserted into a other tablecloth by the second lance. This allows a weaving of a corner.

The insertion device can be used for any weaving, and is particularly suitable for three-dimensional surface weaving in which the weft yarn becomes warp yarn, and vice versa. It is also particularly suitable for conventional three-dimensional weaving because the lance makes it possible to insert the weft thread at any predetermined and variable angle. The device can thus be associated with any loom, positioning itself then at a level of a sheet of yarn. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of inserting duets coupling the advantages of the lance and the shuttle: a weft spool is passed through the shed by a spear which holds it, then placed in a sheath while the spear can out of the crowd, which is then closed. Another crowd is open, in the same sheet or a second sheet; the same lance or a second lance is passed in the other crowd, empty, 30 to recover the coil of the sleeve and secure 2907804 6 in order to stand out from the crowd by depositing a weft thread. In the case of forming a wedge, there may be parallel lowering of the woven surface with respect to the webs for three-dimensional surface weaving. The pick can be packed on the fabric already formed when the lance is removed from the corresponding crowd.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of illustration only and in no way limiting. Figure 1, already described, schematically illustrates a conventional weaving process. Figure 2A shows an insertion device according to the invention; Figure 2B shows an alternative with guide means. Figures 3A to 3F show steps of an insertion method according to the invention. Figure 4 schematically illustrates a three-dimensional surface weaving process.

Figures 5A-5D show steps of insertion according to another embodiment of the invention. Figures 6A and 6B illustrate an alternative to the previous insertion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS A pick-up device according to the invention combines a lance system and a shuttle system. Thus, continuity of the wires can be ensured by limiting damage to the wires perpendicular to the warp wires. In particular, the system 10 according to the invention, illustrated schematically in FIG. 2A, comprises a reserve of weft yarn 12, generally 10 in the form of a winding around a reel 14. In particular, in the case of technical textiles serving as reinforcements for composite structures, it is customary for the parts to be woven to be relatively small in size; it is advantageous in this case that the spool 14 comprises a length of weft yarn 12 sufficient to weave the entire workpiece. Advantageously, the spool 14, also sometimes referred to hereinafter as shuttle or bobbin, is of reduced dimensions, substantially identical to those of a conventional can 8; in particular, it may be cylindrical or oblong, facilitating its insertion into the crowd. The bobbin 14 is not, contrary to the prior art, mounted in a shuttle that can be projected, but removably secured to a lance 16, which serves mainly as a vector of the coil 14. The lance 16 consists of a rod of greater length than the width and whose radial dimensions are smaller than the apparent diameter of the coil 14; The lance may be, for example, steel or other rigid material, and its surface may be polished to prevent friction. The lance 16 comprises at one end means 18 for detachably coupling to the coil 14: the shuttle 14 must be held by the lance 16 during insertion of the pick, but must be able to be easily separated. In particular, the attachment can be by mechanical gripping by a clamp 18, or magnetic gripping by a magnet; the coil 14 also comprises, at one of its ends, an element 18 '10 allowing a removable connection with the coupling means 18 of the lance 16. Furthermore, the system 10 according to the invention further comprises a sheath 20 associated To the spool assembly 16 / spool 14. As explained further, the sleeve 20 allows the deposition of the spool 14 in order to be able to modify the weaving shed between two passages. The sleeve 20 thus advantageously consists of a cylindrical receptacle adapted to the size of the coil 14; the sheath 20 is provided with means 21 for holding in position the shuttle 14 adapted, for example a clamp coupled to a tip. According to an advantageous embodiment, the coil 14 is provided with guiding means 22 allowing compensation for any misalignment, so that the coil 14, and especially the wire 12 that it contains, do not stop against the In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the coil 14 may be, at its insertion end, provided with a pointed appendage 22, added to the coil 14 or 30 as an integral part thereof; the shape of the appendix 22 may for example be a cone or a pyramid, or 2907804 9 any other geometry forming part of a cone. The sheath 20 is then provided with associated means, in particular its inner surface is of decreasing section, circumscribed to a cone; in particular 5 and preferably, the bottom of the sheath 20 can be drilled, and the hole 23 is at least partially pyramidal or conical (in the form of the appendix 22), so as to progressively guide the coil 14 to its position in the center of the sleeve 20 by displacement of the appendix 22 in the hole 23. The coil 14 is alternately coupled to the lance 16 and to the sleeve 20. The coupling means 18 of the lance 16 and the holding means 21 sheath 20 are therefore adapted to allow this va-et15 comes, either automatically by couplings controlled by the actuating system of the loom, or manually, for example by direct action on clamps and / or screws. The device 10 according to the invention can be adapted for any existing loom. During its use, the lance 16 allows the insertion of the pick and is therefore in an oblique direction, generally orthogonal, with respect to the warp son of the weaving sheet, in a plane defined at the opening of the crowd. The sleeve 20 of the device is positioned so that the opening of the receptacle 20 is in substantially the same plane as the sheet of warp son; it may optionally be rotatable to allow easier access to the holding means 21, and especially in the case of multiple weaves.

A method of using the system according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. As is customary, the warp yarns 24 are put into place in a loom in the form of a sheet. A first shed 26 is formed, with alternating lowering and / or lifting of warp yarns 24, in the frame shown in plain weave. In a first step illustrated in FIG. 3A, the lance 16 bearing the shuttle 14 is introduced into the shed 26 open in a first defined direction; the guiding is done according to the usual standards, and the weaving can be preferably orthogonal. Once the crowd 26 and the web 15 crossings, the lance 16 deposits the shuttle 14 in the sleeve 20. The coil 14 is held by the adapted means 21 in the sleeve 20, the pick 12 is inserted into the frame. The lance 16 can be removed from the shed 26, empty, leaving the spool of thread 14 in the sleeve 20: FIG. 3B. Once the lance 16 has returned to the initial position, the crowd forming system closes, a comb is advantageously used, in order to pack the weft yarn 12 against the fabric formed to ensure regularity to the textile: FIG. 3C. Then, the next crowd 26 ', defined according to the woven armor, is open, and the lance 16, empty, enters the new crowd 26' to move towards the sheath 20: Figure 3D.

The lance 16 comes to take the shuttle 14, to which it is fixed by the coupling means 2907804 11 18; the holding means 21 of the sheath 20 are deactivated. The lance 16 can thus pass again in the crowd 26 'by depositing a new pick 12: Figure 3E.

The lance 16, provided with the coil 14, returns to its initial position. There is closing of the crowd, packing of the pick 12, then opening of a new crowd 26 ": Figure 3F The cycle can begin again.

There is thus a continuity of the weft yarn 12, associated with a good directivity of its passage. Because of the use of the lance 16 to guide the coil 14, the latter may be of a profile chosen to minimize the risk of friction with the crowd 26, whereas a conventional shuttle, to be projected, is geometry more complex and cumbersome. The system according to the invention is in fact particularly suitable for composite materials for which the continuity of wire without damage is recommended. Although described with an orthogonal insertion, the device according to the invention allows a non-rectilinear insertion with defined angles: the orientation of the lance 16 with respect to the warp threads 24 can be chosen arbitrarily while being reproducible without any difference. from one pick 12 to the other. In particular, the insertion system according to the invention can be adapted for three-dimensional looms: the product resulting from the weaving operation then comprises an intercrossing of son 2907804 12 arranged in the three directions of space. In particular, the Aerotiss processes make it possible to weave multilayer interlaced glass and carbon fibers which can be used to make aircraft leading edge skins, among others. Thanks to the insertion according to the invention, it is possible to best respect the orientations of insertion of weft son with any possible angle, thus optimizing the three-dimensional interlacing 10 which avoid delamination. Furthermore, the device according to the invention is particularly suitable in the case of a three-dimensional surface weave which makes it possible to ensure continuity of the wires between the different faces of a structure extracted from a hexahedron; such a method is described in the French application called three-dimensional surface weaving filed today by the same Applicant. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the three-dimensional surface weave rests on the weaving of a wedge 28 and the shifting with respect to the warp ply 30, during the weaving phase, of the already woven piece 32. Especially the method comprises the conventional weaving of a web 30 to form a first face 32 of a trihedral angle; the weft threads 34 are extended on one side 30x of the web 30 for a distance sufficient to form a second ply 36, intended to form a second face. Once the first face 32 has been made, it is vertically (lowered) offset by a sufficient height so that weaving continues on the web 30 of the initial warp threads and the web 36 formed by the extension of the weft threads. 34 (now used as secondary warp threads). The pick 38 thus forms an angle 28 between its passage between the first ply 30 and the second ply 36, being located on a plane different from the first face 32. These steps are repeated, to obtain an elementary wedge, for example woven at right angles, and seamless between the edges.

The diagram of Figure 4 may be adapted to weave one, two, three, or even four corners, and form a multi-woven trihedral angle structure woven continuously. The system according to the invention makes it possible, by using a number of lances corresponding to the number of surfaces to be woven, to optimize the weaving thus schematized. The number of sleeves is then equal to the number of corners to be woven, the sleeves can rotate between the directions given by the lances.

More specifically, for weaving a trihedral angle and therefore a wedge 28, as there are two sets of threads, oriented in two different directions, forming two distinct crowds, a device 40 according to the invention is designed to that the shuttle 42 be inserted into the two crowds by means of two lances 44, 44 'and a rotary sleeve 46 allowing the transfer of the shuttle 42 from one lance 44 to the other 44' (system with multiple insertions of picks), as illustrated in FIGS. 5. 1. A first crowd 301 of the first ply 30 opens and the first spool 44, holding at its end the shuttle 42, is inserted into this first crowd 301. Once the crowd 301 crossed, the lance 44 inserts the shuttle 42 into the sheath 46 and releases it after the sheath 46 has blocked the shuttle 42: FIG. 5A. The second spear 44 'does not move. 2. The first lance 44 springs from the crowd 301 of the first web 30 which closes; there may be tamping of the past pick 38. During this time, a first crowd 361 of the second web 36 opens, and the sleeve 46 rotates towards the second lance 44 ': FIG. 5B. 3. The second lance 44 'is inserted into the crowd 361 of the second ply 36 to pick up the shuttle 42 which is fixed thereon: FIG. 5C. 4. The sheath 46 releases the shuttle 42 and the lance 44 'emerges from the crowd 361 with the shuttle 42; the crowd 361 can close: FIG. 5D. Here, too, there can be cupping of the pick 38.

This operation is repeated as many times as angles 28 (thus of sleeves 46) until the shuttle 42 reaches the last spear or until it has completed one complete revolution. In the first case, once arrived at the last lance, the shuttle 42 makes the reverse course by being inserted in the new crowds: the shuttle is transmitted from sheath to sheath by the lances to its initial position; in the second case, the shuttle 42 is recovered by the first lance and continues to rotate, passing from one lance to the next, until obtaining the desired fabric.

In particular, according to certain configurations, it may be provided that the lance 44 'passes through the sheath 46 in order to recover the coil 42 which is therein, or even to deposit it therein. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, in the context of the weaving with several corners, for some of these corners, and in particular for the sleeves 48 of rank greater than 1, an access of the lance 44 'can be provided to the coil 50 on each side. The sheath 48 is then, on the opposite side to the inlet side of the spool 50, provided with an orifice 52 for passage of the lance 44 ': the lance 44' can in particular fetch the spool 50 located in the first sleeve 46 which has pivoted through the orifice 52, to deposit the coil in the sleeve 48. In the direction taken by the weaving then, the coil 50 may advantageously be provided with means for securing to a lance 44 "of each side, so that, as shown in Figure 6B, once the sleeve 48 has rotated, a lance 44 "can be secured to the coil 50 to extract it from the sleeve 48 by passing it in a tablecloth perpendicular. Of course, it is possible to use only one of these variants independently of the other, depending on the configuration of the weave. In addition, the various elements may be associated with the embodiments presented above. In parallel, after each series of insertions, the shaping system of the fabric 30 presses on the first face by marrying its edges.

This method makes it possible to ensure son continuity, and can be automated by the use of a system according to the invention.

Claims (14)

  1. Apparatus (10, 40) for inserting pick (12, 38) into a weaving web comprising a spool (14, 42, 50) which can contain a weft winding (12, 38) forming the picks, a lance (16, 44) defining a first direction and provided at one end with coupling means (18) removable to the coil (14, 42, 50), a sleeve (20, 46, 48) provided with means (21) detachably holding the coil (14, 42, 50), whereby the coil (14, 42, 50) can be held either by the sleeve (14, 46, 48) or at the end of the lance (16, 44).   2. Device according to claim 1 comprising a second lance (44 ') provided at one end with removable coupling means to the coil (42) and defining a second direction different from the first direction (44), and wherein the sleeve ( 46) is pivotable between the two directions defined by the lances (44, 44 ').   3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the coupling means (18) of each lance (16) are clamps.   4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sheath (20) is a cylindrical receptacle in which the coil (14) provided with the winding wire (12) can be inserted, 2907804 18 the holding means (21) of the sleeve (20) can be clamps.   5. Device according to claim 4 wherein, in addition, the coil (14) is provided at one end with a guide appendage (22) and the sleeve (20) is provided with guiding means (23) cooperating with Appendix (22).   6. Device according to claim 5 wherein the guide projection (22) of the coil is a tip and the guide means (23) of the sleeve is a complementary shape orifice to the tip (22).   7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the sleeve (48) is provided with an orifice (52) on the opposite side to the insertion side of the coil (50).   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising a carbon wire (12, 38) wound on the coil (14, 42). 25   9. Loom comprising a picking device according to one of claims 1 to 8, the sleeve (20) and each lance (16) being located in substantially the plane of formation of the weaving sheet. 10 15 20 30 2907804 19   10. A method of insertion duite (12, 38) comprising successively: - the formation of a crowd (26) in the web of warp son (24) to be woven; The connection between a coil (14) comprising the weft thread (12) forming the picks and a spear (16); - inserting the lance (16) into the shed (26); depositing the coil (14) in a sleeve (20); Withdrawing the lance (16) from the shed (26), the spool (14) remaining in the sleeve (20); forming another shed (26 ') in the web of warp yarns (24) to be woven; inserting the lance (16) into the other shed (26 '); - the connection of the lance (16) with the coil (14); removing the reel (14) from the sheath (20) and withdrawing the lance (16) provided with the reel (14) from the other crowd (26 ').   The method of claim 10 further comprising tamping the pick (12) each time the lance (16) is withdrawn from a shed (26, 26 ').   12. A method of inserting pick (38) to form a wedge (28) between two plies (30, 36) of warp threads comprising successively: - forming a shed (301) in a first web (30) ; The connection between a spool (42) comprising the weft thread (36) forming the picks and a first spear (44); inserting the first lance (44) into the shed (301); depositing the coil (42) in a sleeve (46); - removing the first lance (44) of the crowd (301), the coil (42) remaining in the sleeve (46); Pivoting the sheath (46) towards the second ply (36) and forming a shed (361) in the second ply (36) to be woven; inserting a second lance (44 ') into the shed (361) of the second web; Connecting the second lance (44 ') with the coil (42); removing the reel (42) from the sheath (46) and removing the second lance (44 ') provided with the reel (42) of the shed (361). 20   The method of claim 12 further comprising tamping the pick (38) on each side after removal of the lance (44). 25   14. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13 further comprising lowering the woven portion after removal of the second lance (44 ').