AUTOMATED KNOTTING METHOD FOR A BELT AXIS BUNDLE

Abstract

An automated knotting method for a belt axis bundle includes a belt axis bundle which has an end segment of a thread that is freely extendable and movable. The method is executed by an automated knotting device. The method includes the following steps: forming a first loop with a first part of the end segment; creating a first bent segment with a second part of the end segment and threading the first bent segment through the first loop; twisting the first loop to form a twisted loop; forming a second bent segment with a third part of the end segment and threading the second bent segment through the twisted loop; controlling the second bent segment to rotate around the belt axis bundle and tightening the second bent segment, thereby creating a slip knot that wraps around and is tightened, and is located at an outside of the belt axis bundle.

Claims

1. An automated knotting method for a belt axis bundle formed by continuously winding a long and flexible thread around an exterior of a spool using an automated winding device, a distal section of the thread being released from the belt axis bundle and extending a length in a direction away from the belt axis bundle, forming a freely extendable and movable end segment, the knotting method being executed by an automated knotting device that controls movement of a positioning rod, a first clamping hook, a second clamping hook, a third clamping hook, and a cutting tool of the automated knotting device, the knotting method comprising the steps of: clamping the first clamping hook to a free end of the end segment; moving the positioning rod to a position where the end segment is located; controlling the first clamping hook to wrap the end segment around 360 degrees in the same direction as a winding direction of the thread on the spool, a first part of the end segment wrapping around the positioning rod and the belt axis bundle, forming a first loop between the positioning rod and the belt axis bundle; extending the second clamping hook through the first loop and then clamping a second part of the end segment; moving the second clamping hook and pulling the second part by the second clamping hook into a first bent segment and through the first loop; moving the positioning rod away from the first loop; performing, by the second clamping hook, a first twisting action to the first bent segment to form a twisted loop; moving and extending the third clamping hook through the twisted loop, the third clamping hook clamping a third part of the end segment; moving the third clamping hook and pulling, by the third clamping hook, the third part into a second bent segment and through the twisted loop; releasing the second clamping hook from the twisted loop and retracting the second clamping hook; clamping the third clamping hook to the second bent segment to rotate 180 degrees around the belt axis bundle in the same direction as the winding direction of the thread on the spool, the third clamping hook tightening the second bent segment, the end segment forming a tightened slip knot that is located at an outside of the belt axis bundle and wraps around the belt axis bundle, and cutting, by the cutting tool, the end segment between the slip knot and the first clamping hook, leaving a thread end connected to the slip knot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 represents the prior art, depicting a belt axis bundle with a square knot on it;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates the first step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates the second step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates the third step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates the fourth step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates the fifth step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates the sixth step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates the seventh step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates the eighth step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 10 illustrates the ninth step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 11 illustrates the tenth and eleventh steps of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 12 illustrates the eleventh step of the knotting method of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 13 illustrates the first step of untying the knot in the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 14 illustrates the second step of untying the knot in the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 15 illustrates the third step of untying the knot in the present invention and

[0036] FIG. 16 illustrates the fourth step of untying the knot in the present invention.

[0037] Figure Notations: 10: Thread; 11: Spool; 12: Belt axis bundle; 20: End segment of the thread; 21: Free end; 22: First part; 23: Second part; 24: Third part; 25: First bent segment; 26: Second bent segment; 27: First loop; 28: Twisted loop; 30: Slip Knot; 31: Thread end; 41: Positioning rod; 42: First clamping hook; 43: Second clamping hook; 44: Third clamping hook; 45: Cutting tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0038] For the purpose of illustrating the idea represented in the above-mentioned invention content, specific embodiments are presented herein. In these embodiments, various objects are depicted in proportions, sizes, deformations, or displacements suitable for illustration, rather than drawn to scale. This is clarified before proceeding further.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, a soft and extremely long thread 10 made of textile, carbon fiber, or similar materials is continuously wound around the exterior of a spool 11 through an automated winding device (not shown) to form a belt axis bundle 12. The distal section of the thread 10 is released from the belt axis bundle 12 and extends a length in the direction away from the belt axis bundle 12 so as to form a freely extendable and movable end segment 20. The free end 21 of the end segment 20 is clamped by a first clamping hook 42 throughout the knotting process. The first clamping hook 42 is controlled by an automated knotting device (not shown).

[0040] In order to emphasize the end segment 20 in the illustration, a bold line is used. Sections of the thread 10 on the spool 11 are omitted in FIGS. 3 to 16 to clearly depict the knotting action of the end segment 20, as explained earlier.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, a positioning rod 41 is parallel to the belt axis bundle 10 and extends to the location of the end segment 20. The automated knotting device controls the positioning rod 41 to move to or away from the location of the end segment 20.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the first clamping hook 42 controls the end segment 20 to wrap around 360 degrees, passing through the positioning rod 41 and the belt axis bundle 12 in the same direction as a winding direction of the thread 10 on the spool 11. The first part 22 of the end segment 20 forms a first loop 27 between the positioning rod 41 and the belt axis bundle 12.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, a second clamping hook 43 is parallel to the positioning rod 41. The automated knotting device controls the second clamping hook 43 to move back and forth. The second clamping hook 43 first passes through the first loop 27 and then clamps the second part 23 of the end segment 20.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the second clamping hook 43 moves in the opposite direction, and pulls the second part 23 into a first bent segment 25. The first bent segment 25 passes through the first loop 27.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the positioning rod 41 moves away from the first loop 27 in parallel movement.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, the second clamping hook 43 twists the first bent segment 25 so as to form a twisted loop 28.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 9, a third clamping hook 44 is parallel to the second clamping hook 43. The automated knotting device controls the third clamping hook 44 to move back and forth. The third clamping hook 44 passes through the twisted loop 28 and then clamps the third part 24 of the end segment 20.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 10, the third clamping hook 44 moves in the opposite direction, and pulls the third part 24 into a second bent segment 26, and pulls the second bent segment 26 through the twisted loop 28.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11, the second clamping hook 43 releases the twisted loop 28 and retracts. Subsequently, the third clamping hook 44, with the second bent segment 26, rotates around the belt axis bundle 12 by 180 degrees in the same direction as the winding direction of the thread 10 on the spool 11. The third clamping hook 44 tightens the second bent segment 26, the end segment 20 forming a tightened slip knot 30 that is located at an outside of the belt axis bundle 12 and wraps around the belt axis bundle 12.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 12, the third clamping hook 44 releases the second bent segment 26 and retracts. A cutting tool 45, controlled by the automated knotting device, cuts the end segment 20 between the slip knot 30 and the first clamping hook 42, leaving a thread end 31 connected to the slip knot 30.

[0051] This completes the automated action of wrapping the end segment 20 around the belt axis bundle 12 and tying a slip knot 30 on the outside of the belt axis bundle 12.

[0052] FIGS. 13 to 16 show a method to untie the slip knot 30 and release the belt axis bundle 12.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, pulling the thread end 31 in the direction away from the slip knot 30 to untie the slip knot 30. The belt axis bundle 12 is released and the thread 10 can be extended for use.