Adjustment of the mutual position of the latitudinal parts of a fabric guiding device

Abstract

A fabric guiding device ( 1 ) for a face-to-face weaving machine, comprising a cutting knife ( 8 ) and an upper bridge ( 2 ) and a lower bridge ( 3 ) which are positionable at adjustable distances from one another and from the cutting knife ( 8 ) by means of drive means ( 4 a; 4 b ). On the other hand, a method for displacing a lower bridge ( 3 ) and/or an upper bridge (2).

1 . Fabric guiding device for a face-to-face weaving machine, comprising a cutting knife and an upper bridge and a lower bridge which are positionable at adjustable distances from one another and from the cutting knife by means of a drive, wherein the device comprises couplers which are switchable between a first position in which the upper bridge and the lower bridge are coupled to one another, as a result of which the upper bridge and the lower bridge are positionable together with the aid of said drive and a second position in which the upper bridge and the lower bridge are decoupled from one another so that only the upper bridge or only the lower bridge is positionable with the aid of the drive. 
     
     
         2 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the lower bridge is positionable in both the first and the second position of the couplers and in that said couplers are switchable between a first position in which the lower bridge and the upper bridge are coupled to one another, as a result of which they are positionable together, and a second position in which only the lower bridge is positionable. 
     
     
         3 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the drive comprise hydraulic or electric actuators. 
     
     
         4 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the drive comprise one or more screw mechanisms which are provided in order to position the upper bridge and the lower bridge with respect to one another and with respect to the cutting knife, and in that the drive comprises at least one electric motor which is provided in order to rotate the screw mechanisms for adjusting said bridges. 
     
     
         5 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the drive comprises a first and second drive, wherein the first drive is provided at one end of the bridge which is positionable when the couplers are switched into their second position and in that the second drive is provided at the other end of said bridge. 
     
     
         6 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fabric guiding device comprises one or more position sensors ( 9 ) for determining the position of the upper bridge, the lower bridge and the cutting knife. 
     
     
         7 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that said position sensors are at least provided at the ends of both the upper bridge and the lower bridge. 
     
     
         8 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that said position sensors are at least provided at the middle of the lower bridge. 
     
     
         9 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the device comprises first clampers which are provided to release the upper bridge and the lower bridge and secure them in the set position. 
     
     
         10 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the device comprises second clampers which are provided to release the lower bridge between both ends and secure it again when the desired position has been reached. 
     
     
         11 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the first clampers and/or second clampers comprise pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuators. 
     
     
         12 . Fabric guiding device according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the first clampers or the first clampers and/or second clampers are provided to connect the upper bridge or the lower bridge, respectively, to the chassis of the weaving machine. 
     
     
         13 . Face-to-face weaving machine provided with a fabric guiding device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . Method for positioning a lower bridge and/or an upper bridge of a fabric guiding device of a face-to-face weaving machine, wherein the upper bridge and the lower bridge are positionable by means of a drive, wherein the fabric guiding device furthermore comprises couplers which are switchable between a first and a second position, in that the couplers are switched to the first position, in which the lower bridge and the upper bridge are coupled to each other, to position the lower bridge and the upper bridge together, and in that the couplers are switched to the second position, in which the lower bridge and the upper bridge are uncoupled from each other, so that only the upper bridge or only the lower bridge is positionable by means of the drive. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the couplers are switched into the first position first in order to displace both bridges together, and subsequently into the second position in order to move only the upper bridge or only the lower bridge to the desired position.