This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 103 49 266.6 filed Oct. 20, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to an apparatus at a spinning room machine, especially a spinning preparation machine, for example a carding machine or draw frame, for visual signal display, wherein at least two light sources in the form of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided, which are associated with one cover, the signal display—which is in communication with a control device—being capable of emitting signals of light of different colours.
In practice, modern production machines or systems in a spinning room are capable of providing a user with a large amount of useful and in some cases absolutely necessary information. For a rapid overall view, signal pillars are often used, which consist of several signal generators of different colours arranged above one another. Depending on the particular application, up to five different signal generators can be present. A specific message is associated with each of the lamps or alternatively with combinations of more than one lamp. The messages may be, for example: red (continuous light), which indicates a machine malfunction; orange (flashing), which indicates can-changing. For each individual signal generator, a transparent coloured cover is used together with white filament bulbs or LEDs. It is disadvantageous therein that, for each colour or colour combination, there is required a filament bulb, a cover, a bulb fitting etc., as a result of which the signal generators are relatively complicated and, in addition, expensive.
It is an aim of the invention to provide an apparatus of the kind described at the beginning that avoids or mitigates the mentioned disadvantages and, especially, that is of simple construction and allows a reduced outlay in terms of manufacture and installation.
The invention provides a visual display device for a spinning room machine, comprising
a plurality of light-emitting sources;
a cover inside which said light-emitting sources are located; and
a control device for controlling said light emitting sources for generating coloured light in dependence on the operative state of the spinning room machine.
In the device according to the invention there is used only at least one transparent and colourless cover. Inside the cover there is used a combination of a plurality of coloured light-emitting diodes. The corresponding LEDs are triggered depending upon the signal that is to be delivered in a particular case. By that means, using only one lighting means (a plurality of LEDs in different colours) and only one cover, it is possible, depending on the particular LEDs in the arrangement, to deliver a large number of different coloured signals.
The light-emitting diodes may be capable of emitting different colours. Advantageously, single-colour light-emitting diodes are provided, at least two light-emitting diodes being capable of emitting colours that are different from one another. Multiple colour light-emitting diodes may be provided, the respective colours of which can be varied. The different colours of the multiple colour diodes may be adjustable (variable) by means of the control device. The signal display may be capable of emitting light signals each having one colour. The signal display may be capable of emitting light signals each having one colour combination. Advantageously, the light signals each having one colour or colour combination are arranged to be emitted successively. At least two light-emitting diodes may be capable of emitting light of different colours alternately.
The at least one cover may be transparent, and is advantageously glass-clear. The at least one cover may be opaque. The at least one cover may be colourless. Preferably, a single cover is provided. The light-emitting diodes are advantageously arranged inside the at least one cover. A combination of a plurality of coloured light-emitting diodes is used. The cover may be made from synthetic resin or the like. The cover may be in the form of a hollow cylinder, for example, of polygonal cross-section.
A light reflector may be provided in the beam path of the light-emitting diodes. The light reflector may be arranged between the light-emitting diodes and the inner wall of the light reflector. The light reflector may be of one part. Instead, the light reflector may be of more than one part. The light reflector may be approximately cone-shaped or truncated-cone-shaped. The light beams advantageously run from the light-emitting diodes, by way of the outer surface of the light reflector, through the wall surface of the cover. The nature of the colour emitted by the light-emitting diode or light-emitting diodes may be adjustable by means of the control device.
The invention also provides an apparatus at a spinning room machine, especially a spinning preparation machine, for example a carding machine or draw frame, for visual signal display—which is in communication with a control device—being capable of emitting signals of light of different colours, wherein a plurality of light-emitting diodes or lighting means, which are located inside a clear or opaque cover, are capable of emitting coloured or white light corresponding to the particular operating situation of the spinning room machine.
a is a cross-section through a signal generator according to the invention, emitting light of a first colour;
b is a cross-section through the signal generator of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
etc.
Using only one lighting means (a plurality of LEDs in different colours) and only one cover, it is possible, depending on the particular LEDs in the arrangement, to deliver a large number of different coloured signals.
Likewise, colour combinations can also be produced as a result of off-setting over time.
Example for a combination of light-emitting diodes for red and green light:
In this case, the diodes emit red and green light alternately. In order for the individual colours still to be perceived as such by the viewer, a change-over of approximately one-second is advantageous, which means that the signal generator shines red for about one second, then green for one second and then again red for one second etc.
The signal generator can provide additional information by means of one or more colours emitting flashing light.
Use of the invention results in the following advantages, amongst others:
In the embodiment of
Simply by supplying a relatively high current to the LEDs a flash effect can be obtained so that the use of an additional flash lamp is no longer necessary. Illumination and flash are accordingly possible using one and the same lamp. As a result, the functionality of the signal generator 7 is additionally increased without major outlay. The LEDs are generally supplied with pulsed current.
In the embodiment of
When one kind of light-emitting diode emits white light, at least one other kind emits a different colour, that is to say white is considered in this case to be a colour.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of understanding, it will be obvious that changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
103 49 266 | Oct 2003 | DE | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4522236 | Löhr | Jun 1985 | A |
5929788 | Vukosic | Jul 1999 | A |
6483439 | Vukosic | Nov 2002 | B1 |
20020095235 | Hosel | Jul 2002 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
199 22 361 | Nov 2000 | DE |
1 113 215 | Jul 2001 | EP |
1 113 215 | Jul 2001 | EP |
1 353 118 | Oct 2003 | EP |
2 392 764 | Mar 2004 | GB |
01 246425 | Oct 1989 | JP |
10-11678 | Jan 1998 | JP |
2000-195303 | Jul 2000 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050083322 A1 | Apr 2005 | US |