Method and Device for Applying Forces and Motions to Warp Threads of Weaving Machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for applying forces and motions to warp threads ( 1, 1′ ) of a weaving machine with the following method steps: deflecting the warp threads ( 1, 1′ ) via a thread deflecting element ( 2 ) which is supported pivotably about a pivot axis ( 3 ); applying spring forces to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) via more than three force application points ( 5 ) along a first line ( 6 ) which extends parallel to the pivot axis ( 3 ), wherein the spring forces are applied by at least one spring element ( 4 ); applying a prescribed positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) onto the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) wherein this motion ( 38 ) is applied by a drive means ( 7 ) via a drive element ( 8 ), wherein the forces on the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) are supported partially via the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) on the at least one spring element ( 4 ) and partially via the drive element ( 8 ) on the drive means ( 7 ). The invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus.

1 . Method for applying forces and motions to warp threads ( 1 ,  1 ′) of a weaving machine with the following method steps:
 deflecting the warp threads ( 1 ,  1 ′) via a thread deflecting element ( 2 ), which is supported pivotably about a pivot axis ( 3 ); 
 applying spring forces to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) via more than three force application points ( 5 ) along a first line ( 6 ) that extends parallel to the pivot axis ( 3 ), wherein the spring forces are applied via at least one spring element ( 4 ); 
 applying a prescribed positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ), wherein this motion ( 38 ) is applied by a drive means ( 7 ) via a drive element ( 8 ), wherein the forces on the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) are supported partially via the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) on the at least one spring element ( 4 ) and partially via the drive element ( 8 ) on the drive means ( 7 ). 
 
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one spring element ( 4 ) with an adjustable spring characteristic curve is used, wherein the at least one spring element ( 4 ) is preferably embodied as a gas-filled hollow body, of which the spring characteristic curve is adjustable in that the gas pressure is changed. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) is arranged lying in contact on or adjacent the at least one spring element ( 4 ). 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the prescribed positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) is applied to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) via more than three connection points ( 9 ) between drive element ( 8 ) and thread deflecting element ( 2 ), wherein the connection points ( 9 ) are arranged along a second line ( 10 ) parallel to the pivot axis ( 3 ). 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) is applied to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) by the drive means ( 7 ) in such a manner so that a dead center point ( 39 ,  39 ′,  40 ) of this motion ( 38 ) within a weaving cycle lies at or after a shed closure point ( 34 ), and in that this dead center point ( 39 ,  39 ′,  40 ) lies at or before a reed beat-up point ( 31 ) that directly follows this shed closure point ( 34 ). 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) is applied to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) by the drive means ( 7 ) in such a manner so that a dead center point ( 39 ,  39 ′,  40 ) of this motion ( 38 ) within a weaving cycle lies closer to a shed closure point ( 34 ) than to a reed beat-up point ( 31 ) that directly follows this shed closure point ( 34 ). 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) is applied to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) by the drive means ( 7 ) in such a manner so that a dead center point ( 39 ,  39 ′,  40 ) of this motion ( 38 ) within a weaving cycle lies closer to a reed beat-up point ( 31 ) than to a shed closure point ( 34 ) that directly precedes this reed beat-up point ( 31 ). 
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the warp threads ( 1 ,  1 ′) are moved by shedding means ( 11 ,  11 ′) of the weaving machine according to a weaving pattern stored in a control unit ( 16 ) of the weaving machine, and in which the drive means ( 7 ) for the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) is electronically controlled, wherein the positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) of the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) is prescribed by the control unit ( 16 ) of the weaving machine via the electronically controllable drive means ( 7 ). 
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) of the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) is differently prescribed for different weaving cycles by the control unit ( 16 ) of the weaving machine via the electronically controllable drive means ( 7 ). 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus for applying forces and motions to warp threads ( 1 ,  1 ′) of a weaving machine with a thread deflecting element ( 2 ), which is supported pivotably about a pivot axis ( 3 ), as well as with at least one spring element ( 4 ), wherein spring forces can be applied by the spring element ( 4 ) to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) at more than three force application points ( 5 ), wherein the a force application points ( 5 ) lie along a first line ( 6 ), which extends parallel to the pivot axis ( 3 ) of the thread deflecting element ( 2 ), characterized in that a drive means ( 7 ) is present, by which, via a drive element ( 8 ), a prescribed positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) can be applied to the thread deflecting element ( 2 ), wherein the forces on the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) can be supported partially via the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) on the at least one spring element ( 4 ) and partially via the drive element ( 8 ) on the drive means ( 7 ). 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the at least one spring element ( 4 ) comprises an adjustable spring characteristic curve, wherein the at least one spring element ( 4 ) preferably is embodied as a gas-filled hollow body, of which the spring characteristic curve is adjustable in that the gas pressure is changed. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) is arranged lying on the at least one spring element ( 4 ). 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the drive element ( 8 ) is connected with the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) along a second line ( 10 ) at more than three connection points ( 9 ), wherein the second line ( 10 ) extends parallel to the pivot axis ( 3 ). 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the drive element ( 8 ) is embodied as a drive axle, on which the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) is secured via the connection points ( 9 ). 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the drive axle ( 8 ) is supported over its longitudinal extension at more than three points ( 21 ). 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the drive means ( 7 ) comprises a drive motor, which is arranged coaxially to the drive axle ( 8 ). 
     
     
         17 . Weaving machine with an apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the weaving machine comprises adjustment means, with which the dead center points ( 39 ,  39 ′,  40 ) of the positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) of the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) are adjustable. 
     
     
         18 . Weaving machine according to  claim 17 , with a control unit ( 16 ), wherein the drive means ( 7 ) for the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) is electronically controllable, and wherein the control unit ( 16 ) includes memory means, in which data for the prescribing of the positively constrained oscillating motion ( 38 ) of the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) are storable. 
     
     
         19 . Weaving machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the weaving machine comprises shedding means ( 11 ,  11 ′), and wherein warp threads ( 1 ,  1 ′) are movable by the shedding means ( 11 ,  11 ′) according to a weaving pattern stored in the control unit ( 16 ), and wherein the control unit ( 16 ) comprises processor means by which, dependent on the respective weaving pattern, positively constrained oscillating motion progressions ( 38 ) of the thread deflecting element ( 2 ) can be calculated.