Selvedge device

Abstract

A selvedge device (1), having at least two pairs of heddle holders (2) for holding heddles (3) on either side, a drive device for driving the two pairs of heddle holders (2) by reciprocating movements, in which the drive device has at least two drive bodies (4) and each pair of heddle holders (2) is attached to a drive body (4), and in which the heddle holders (2) of at least one pair of heddle holders (2) are attached to the corresponding drive body (4) so as to be height-adjustable with respect to this corresponding drive body (4).

Claims

1. A selvedge device, comprising at least two pairs of heddle holders for holding heddles on either side by means of each pair of heddle holders, a drive device for driving the two pairs of heddle holders by reciprocating movements, in which the drive device comprises at least two drive bodies and each pair of heddle holders is attached to a said drive body, wherein the heddle holders of at least one pair of heddle holders are attached to the corresponding drive body so as to be height-adjustable with respect to this corresponding drive body; wherein each heddle holder, on its side facing away from the corresponding drive body, is provided with a nose having a length which is such that adjacent heddle holders which perform a deviating reciprocating movement remain adjacent to each other for their entire reciprocating movement.

2. The selvedge device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive device comprises at least one motor, a drive shaft driven by the motor and, for each said drive body, a drive arm attached to the drive shaft and a drive rod whose one end is pivotably connected to the drive arm and whose other end is pivotably connected to the corresponding drive body.

3. The selvedge device according to claim 1, characterized in that the selvedge device is provided for forming a shed for each weft insertion system by means of several pairs of heddle holders, in which pairs of heddle holders are drivable with the same reciprocating movement to this end and are arranged adjacent to each other.

4. The selvedge device according to claim 3, characterized in that the selvedge device is provided for forming a shed for several weft insertion systems of a double-face weaving machine.

5. The selvedge device according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjacent heddle holders of the pairs of heddle holders which are drivable with the same reciprocating movement and which are arranged adjacent to each other, are fixed with respect to each other.

6. The selvedge device according to claim 5, characterized in that the heddle holders which are fixed with respect to each other are detachably coupled to this end.

7. The selvedge device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pairs of heddle holders which are drivable with the same reciprocating movement and which are arranged adjacent to each other, are attached to the same drive body.

8. The selvedge device according to claim 1, characterized in that each pair of heddle holders is coupled to each other by means of a coupling element.

9. The selvedge device according to claim 8, characterized in that either the coupling element is attached to the corresponding drive body so as to be height-adjustable by means of screw thread, the corresponding heddle holders are vertically locked with respect to this coupling element and this coupling element is freely rotatable with respect to the heddle holders, or the heddle holders are attached to the coupling element so as to be height-adjustable by means of screw thread, the corresponding drive body is vertically locked with respect to this coupling element and this coupling element is freely rotatable with respect to the drive body.

10. The selvedge device according to claim 9, characterized in that the coupling element is of a rod-shaped design and is either provided with at least two local diameter reductions in which a corresponding heddle holder is arranged in a vertically locked manner, so that the coupling element is freely rotatable with respect to the heddle holder and is provided with at least one local external screw thread, in which a corresponding internal screw thread of the drive body engages, or is provided in at least two locations with a local external screw thread, in which a corresponding internal screw thread of a corresponding heddle holder engages and in which the drive body is arranged in a vertically locked manner, so that the coupling element is arranged so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the drive body.

11. The selvedge device according to claim 1, characterized in that the selvedge device comprises a drive means for automatically adjusting the height of the height-adjustable heddle holders.

12. The selvedge device according to claim 1, characterized in that each heddle holder comprises a bar-shaped heddle carrier (16) on which the corresponding heddles are fittable so as to be laterally displaceable.

13. The selvedge device according to claim 1, characterized in that said drive bodies are provided with guide elements (14) and the selvedge device comprises vertically extending guides (15) for guiding the guide elements (14) during the reciprocating movements.

14. A weaving machine comprising a selvedge device, characterized in that the selvedge device is a selvedge device according to claim 1.

15. The weaving machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the weaving machine is a jacquard weaving machine, comprising a jacquard which is arranged above a fabric to be formed, in which the selvedge device is arranged between the jacquard and the fabric to be formed.

16. The weaving machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the weaving machine is a double-face weaving machine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will now be explained in more detail by means of the following detailed description of an embodiment of a selvedge device according to the present invention. The sole aim of this description is to give illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and features of the present invention, and can therefore by no means be interpreted as a limitation of the area of application of the invention or of the patent rights defined in the claims.

(2) In this detailed description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawings, in which:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a selvedge device according to the present invention in perspective;

(4) FIG. 2 shows the selvedge device from FIG. 1 in a right-hand side view;

(5) FIG. 3 shows the selvedge device from FIG. 1 in a front view;

(6) FIG. 4 shows the selvedge device from FIG. 1 in a left-hand side view;

(7) FIG. 5 shows the selvedge device from FIG. 1 in a rear view;

(8) FIG. 6 shows the rear view from FIG. 5 in more detail at the top side of this selvedge device;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a drive body with coupling elements and heddle holders of the selvedge device from FIG. 1 attached thereto separately in perspective, with heddles attached to the heddle holders;

(10) FIG. 8 shows a part of the coupling elements and the upper heddle holders from FIG. 7 in more detail in perspective;

(11) FIG. 9 shows a part of a double-face weaving machine comprising a selvedge device according to the present invention in perspective;

(12) FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows how the heddles are arranged and actuated with respect to each other in existing selvedge devices for a double-face weaving machine with three rapiers, with only one heddle per executed movement being shown for each rapier;

(13) FIG. 11 diagrammatically shows how the heddles are arranged and actuated with respect to each other in the selvedge device illustrated in FIG. 1, with only one heddle per executed movement being shown for each rapier;

(14) FIG. 12 shows a part of an alternative selvedge device at the drive bodies in perspective;

(15) FIG. 13 shows an alternative drive body from the selvedge device from FIG. 12 with coupling elements and heddle holders attached thereto separately in perspective.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) The selvedge devices (1) illustrated in the figures are selvedge devices (1) for a double-face weaving machine with three rapiers, by means of which different kinds of weave structures, such as, inter alia, two-two weave structures, can be produced. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 5, this selvedge device (1) comprises twelve pairs of heddle holders (2) to this end. Each pair of heddle holders (2) comprises a bottom heddle holder (2) and a top heddle holder (2), between which heddles (3) can be held, as can be seen in FIG. 7. For each rapier of the double-face weaving machine, two times two pairs of such heddle holders (2) are provided, which can move per two pairs in counterphase with respect to each other. Three pairs of heddle holders (2) which can form, together with corresponding heddle holders (2) which move in counterphase, a shed for the three rapiers are in each case arranged next to each other. FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 show that a pair of such three pairs of heddle holders (2) arranged together holds heddles (3) with heddle eyelets (21) which are arranged in a higher position, holds a pair of heddles (3) with heddle eyelets (21) which are arranged centrally and holds a pair of heddles (3) with heddle eyelets (21) which are arranged in a lower position. The heddles (3) with heddle eyelets (21) which are arranged in a higher position, are provided to form a shed for the top rapier (TR), together with corresponding heddles (3) which are moved in counterphase. The heddles (3) with heddle eyelets (21) which are arranged centrally, are provided to form a shed for the middle rapier (MR), together with corresponding heddles (3) which are moved in counterphase. The heddles (3) with heddle eyelets (21) which are arranged in a lower position, are provided to form a shed for the bottom rapier (BR), together with corresponding heddles (3) which are moved in counterphase.

(17) FIGS. 1 to 5 show that 6 pairs of heddle holders (2) which are arranged on the left-hand side are at the same height, so that the heddles (3) held therein do not form a shed at that position. The 6 pairs of heddle holders (2) which are arranged on the right-hand side are positioned in groups of three in counterphase, so that the heddles (3) held therein together form a shed for corresponding rapiers.

(18) In FIG. 11, arrows indicate how the heddles (3) are moved in counterphase in groups of three, with the left-hand six heddles (3) being driven by a first motor (5) and the right-hand six heddles (3) being driven by a second motor (5).

(19) FIGS. 10 and 11 show how this arrangement of the heddle holders (2) of the illustrated selvedge device (1) (FIG. 11) with respect to each other results in an advantageous deviating arrangement of the heddles (3) compared to existing selvedge devices (1) for double-face weaving machines with three rapiers (FIG. 10). For the sake of clarity, only one heddle (3) per rapier is illustrated in both figures for each executed movement. The heddle eyelets (21) associated with the top rapier (TR), with the middle rapier (MR) and with the bottom rapier (BR) are situated more or less on the same straight line, respectively.

(20) With such existing selvedge devices (1), the heddles (3) which form for each motor (5) the shed for the top rapier (TR) are placed next to each other, the heddles (3) which form for each motor (5) the shed for the middle rapier (MR) are placed next to each other and the heddles (3) which form for each motor (5) the shed for the bottom rapier (BR) are placed next to each other. As a result thereof, more heddles (3) are each time moved with respect to each other than is the case with the arrangement of the illustrated selvedge device (1). This new arrangement therefore causes significantly less friction between components which are moved with respect to each other, thus greatly reducing wear.

(21) In addition, with such existing selvedge devices (1), harness cords are passed through openings in a comberboard in order to achieve a desired positioning of the heddles (3).

(22) By using the heddle holders (2) and arranging them in a group in the manner described above, this comberboard is no longer necessary in order to bring the heddles (3) to the desired position. Such a comberboard is highly susceptible to wear. If the heddles (3) are required to make a small lateral movement, the harness cord rubs over the edge of its opening in the comberboard, resulting in wear and, in the longer term, breakage (either of the comberboard, which is excessively worn, or of the harness cord).

(23) For a double-face weaving machine, it would suffice to provide 8 such pairs of heddle holders (2) for two-two weave structures. For a flat weaving machine, it would suffice to provide 4 such pairs of heddle holders (2).

(24) In order to obtain weave structures, the illustrated selvedge devices comprise a drive device for moving the pairs of heddle holders (2) up and down, this per two in counterphase with respect to each other, in which each time the same movement is performed for the three rapiers for every 3 pairs of heddle holders (2).

(25) To this end, this drive device comprises two motors (5), each of which drives a drive shaft (6). These motors (5) are preferably cooled servomotors. This cooling may be effected by convection or by means of an airflow created by a ventilator. The motors may also be water-cooled. A couple of drive arms (7) are attached to each drive shaft (6) (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The drive arms (7) on each drive shaft (6) form an angle with respect to each other and are made together in one piece. However, they could also be separate drive arms (7). An end of a drive rod (8) is pivotably attached to the free end of each drive arm (7). A drive body (4) is attached to the other end of each drive rod (8). Three pairs of heddle holders (2) are attached to each drive body (4). By driving the drive shaft (6) by means of the motors (5), the drive bodies (4) are moved up and down and thus also the heddle holders (2) attached to these drive bodies (4). The drive bodies (4) which are attached to the one drive arm of a pair of drive arms (7) via a drive rod (8), perform a movement in counterphase with respect to the drive bodies (4) which are attached to the other drive arm of the same pair of drive arms (7) via a drive rod (8).

(26) The movement of the drive bodies (4) is guided, due to the fact that the drive bodies (4) are provided with guide elements (14) which are arranged in a guiding manner with respect to vertically extending guides (15). In the first illustrated embodiment (see FIGS. 3-7), the guide elements (14) engage around elongate guides (15). In the second illustrated embodiment, the guides (14) engage in the guides (15) (see FIGS. 12-13).

(27) In these selvedge devices (1), the heddle holders (2) are thus moved up and down in three pairs at a time, as a result of which only two motors (5) are required to execute the required movements. However, it would also be possible to provide a separate motor for every two pairs of heddle holders (2) moving in counterphase or for every pair of heddle holders (2). In this case, corresponding drive shafts, drive rods and drive bodies also have to be provided for every motor. Analogously, at least 2 motors and associated drive shafts, drive rods and drive bodies are required for double-face weaving machines with 2 rapiers in order to achieve two-two weave structures.

(28) In order to be able to adjust the position of the heddle eyelets (21) accurately, the pairs of heddle holders (2) in the illustrated selvedge devices (1) are connected to each other by means of a coupling rod (9) which is attached to the corresponding drive body (4) in a height-adjustable manner, so that these heddle holders (2) are also height-adjustable with respect to this drive body (4).

(29) As shown in FIG. 8, each coupling rod (9) has a portion with a reduced diameter (diameter reduction) (10) at its ends around which a fastening element (18) of the heddle holder (2) is arranged. The coupling rod is freely rotatable with respect to the heddle holder (2). Due to the diameter reduction (10), this fastening element (18) and consequently also the heddle holder (2) are vertically locked with respect to the coupling rod (9). The coupling rod (9) is attached to the drive body (4) by means of the fastening elements (13a) and (13b). At the top illustrated fastening element (13a) of the drive body (4), the coupling rod (9) is provided with an external screw thread (11). The illustrated top fastening element (13a) of the drive body (4) is provided with a corresponding internal screw thread. The coupling rod (9) is arranged so as to be freely rotatable in the bottom illustrated fastening element (13b). The coupling rods (9) are provided with an engagement element (12) at the top in order for a hand tool to engage therewith. Due to the corresponding screw threads (11), the fastening element (13a) of the corresponding drive body (4) is moved up and down in a corresponding manner with respect to a coupling rod (9) by rotating this coupling rod (9). Drive means may also be provided instead of the engagement element (12) or in addition to this engagement element (12), by means of which this coupling rod (9) can be rotated automatically.

(30) When the various heddle holders (2) have been adjusted to a desired height with respect to the corresponding drive body (4) by means of their coupling rod (9), these may be fixed in groups of three with respect to each other by means of a fixing bolt (19), as is illustrated in FIG. 8. By fixing these with respect to each other, undesired deflections of the heddle holders (2) are limited. To this end, the fastening element (18) of each heddle holder (2) is provided with an elongate slot (22) which extends in the vertical direction. If the adjusted height of the three adjacent heddle holders (2) deviates with respect to each other, this fixing bolt (19) may be arranged at a corresponding deviating position in this slot (22) in the various heddle holders (2). If the position of the heddle holders (2) has to be modified, this fixing bolt (19) has to be unscrewed first before the corresponding coupling rod(s) (9) can be rotated and this fixing bolt (19) then has to be re-tightened.

(31) An additional locking element may be provided at the location of the fastening elements (13a) and (13b) in order to lock the adjusted height.

(32) The illustrated heddle holders (2) are furthermore, in addition to the fastening elements (18) already mentioned above, provided with a holder frame (17) and a heddle carrier (16).

(33) The holder frame (17) helps to provide the required strength for the heddle holder (2). On the side of the heddle holder (2) facing away from the drive body (4), this holder frame (17) is provided with a nose (20) having a length which is such that adjacent heddle holders (2), which execute a deviating reciprocating movement, remain arranged adjacent to each other during their entire reciprocating movement. It can clearly be seen in FIG. 2, for example, that, in its illustrated highest position, the top heddle holder (2), which is third from the right, is still arranged next to the top heddle holder (2), which is fourth from the right and in its lowest position, due to this nose (20).

(34) The heddle carrier (16) is bar-shaped and the corresponding heddles (3) are laterally displaceably attached to this heddle carrier (16) with a loop. The holes in the illustrated heddle carrier (16) are only provided in order to save weight.

(35) FIG. 9 shows how the first illustrated selvedge device (1) according to the present invention may be incorporated in a double-face weaving machine with three rapiers. Here, the selvedge device (1) is arranged between the superstructure (23) on which the jacquard is positioned and the position where the weave structures are formed, in the area of the illustrated rapier rods (24), next to the harness of the jacquard and in the space formed between the rear position of the weaving reed and the weaving frames.