[0001] The present invention relates to the return springs for heddles being employed in
the harnesses of the textile machines of Jacquard type, Verdol type and the like;
particularly, it relates to a composite spring having a higher tensile strength.
[0002] It is known that in the mechanical looms of the Jacquard type or Verdol type the
heddles are subjected to a frantic reciprocating motion under the action of suitable
return resilient elements which once consisted of ties in synthetic or natural rubber.
The choice of this material was due to the fact that only by this it was possible
to obtain return resilient elements having both load bearing and flexibility properties
suitable to this purpose. But rubber ties have been with time replaced by steel springs,
as these have the capability to maintain almost unchanged the load properties deriving
from the high operation ratings reached in the modern textile machines.
[0003] It is also known that, due to the helical shape of the steel springs, these are manufactured
by means of a very thin wire as otherwise the load and flexibility properties necessary
for this particular use would not be obtained. Such springs are subjected to both
high lengthwise and crosswise stresses which unavoidably involve the fatigue failure
of the springs themselves, thereby impairing in such a way the quality of the fabric
produced by the loom.
[0004] Researches made on purpose revealed that the crucial area where more frequently the
fatigue failures occur is located near the spring anchoring point, and particularly
in an area located about 10÷30 mm apart from said anchoring point. In fact, just in
that area the lengthwise and crosswise stresses intersect, and hence they add to each
other, the crosswise ones being extremely dangerous as being due to resonances.
[0005] Thus the object of the present invention is to provide a return spring for heddles,
which is characterized by a higher tensile strength in the above described area. Such
an object is attained, according to the present invention, by a spring characterized
in that it consists of two helical springs made of steel wire which are connected
in series to each other and have different lengths and cross sections, the wire of
the shorter spring having a cross section 5 to 50%, and preferably 18 to 27%, larger
than the wire of the longer spring.
[0006] The composite spring according to the present invention has the advantage of a tensile
strength which is at least double compared to that of the presently used conventional
springs.
[0007] The composite spring according to the present invention has the further advantage
of reducing resonances, as it substantially varies the ratio between the spring natural
frequency and the loom operating frequency. In fact, it is known that, by varying
such ratio, the resonance is reduced and therefore also the crosswise stresses cooperating
in a decisive way to the damaging of the operating springs are reduced.
[0008] These and other advantages of the composite spring according to the present invention
will be clear to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description
of one embodiment thereof reference being made to the annexed drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a composite spring according to the present invention;
and
Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a composite spring wherein the two component springs are
connected to each other in a different way.
[0009] Referring to Fig.1, the composite spring according to the present invention essentially
consists of two helical springs 1 and 2 connected in series to each other. The spring
1 is made of a steel wire having a 0,25 mm cross section, while spring 2 is made of
a steel wire having a 0,20 mm cross section, i.e. approximately 20% smaller than the
wire section of spring 1. The length of spring 2 is chosen as a function of the heddle
to which it must be applied, generally said length being approximately 2/3 of the
spring whole length. The length of spring 1 is instead shorter, and in the embodiment
herein shown it is 10 cm. Such length depends not only upon the amplitude of the crucial
zone in which the failures of the known springs mainly occur, but also upon the final
elastic resultant of the composite spring.
[0010] The spring 1 has, at its external end, an eyelet for joining to the anchoring point.
The spring 1 has, at its opposite end, a contracted portion 3 for joining spring 2.
The spring 2 has a corresponding bell-shaped extended portion 4 cooperating with the
contacted portion 3 for joining the two springs. In this embodiment spring 2 can be
telescopically inserted within the spring 1 and the junction is ensured by fitting
the contraction 3 of spring 1 in the extension 4 of spring 2.
[0011] It is indispensable that the material by which the two springs are formed is accurately
selected as regards the wire cross section, the diameter of the coils, the pre-impressed
loading, the kind of steel of the wire and so forth, in order to cause the elastic
resultant of the two coupled springs to be equal, in terms of loads, to what is required
by the specific employments on the heddles.
[0012] During the operation, component 1 of the composite spring according to the present
invention, as being much stronger, can bear without any damage the stresses causing
the failure of the known springs. In addition, as in the operating condition both
components 1 and 2 are stressed by the same tensional load, their elastic response
materializes through different extensions, thereby causing a mutual damping of the
swingings, which involves a drastic reduction or also the elimination of the crosswise
stresses.
[0013] Referring to Fig.2, a different method employed for combining springs 1 and 2 is
shown. In fact, in this case spring 1 and spring 2 are connected to each other by
means of a metal joint 6 having both a projection 7 suitable to engage within the
end of spring 1 and, on the opposite side, a projection 8 suitable to engage within
the end of spring 2. Instead of being in metal, said joint can be also provided in
a different suitable material.
1. A composite return spring for heddles of textile looms, characterized in that it consists
of two helical springs (1,2) made of steel wire which are connected in series to each
other and have different lengths and cross sections, the wire of the shorter spring
(1) having a cross section 5 to 50% larger than the wire of the longer spring (2).
2. A spring according to claim 1, characterized in that the wire of the shorter spring
(1) has a cross section 18 to 27% larger than the wire of the longer spring (2).
3. A spring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shorter spring (1) has,
at one end thereof, an anchoring eyelet (5), and at the opposite end a means for being
connected in series to the longer spring (2).
4. A spring according to claim 3, characterized in that the shorter spring (1) has, at
one end thereof, an anchoring eyelet (5), and at the opposite end a contraction (3)
suitable to block a bell-shaped extension (4) present at one end of the longer spring
(2) which is telescopically inserted within the shorter spring (1).
5. A spring according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for connecting the
two springs (1,2) in series to each other consists of a joint (6).
6. A spring according to claim 5, characterized in that the joint (6) has both a projection
(7) suitable to engage with the end of the spring (1) and, on the opposite side, a
projection (8) suitable to engage with the end of the longer spring (2).