Patent Application
20220275540
The invention relates to a module for a fiber preparation machine, as well as to a fiber preparation machine consisting of modules.
In today's mechanical engineering, machines are usually designed having a machine housing, a machine frame or a machine body. All components or elements of the machine are fastened to this machine frame and held thereon in a non-rotatable or rotatable manner. In addition, casing elements are also held by this machine frame in order to protect the machines or the operating personnel. Due to this construction, each machine type has its own machine frame. Although different fastenings can be provided in a machine frame in order to install additional or optional elements in the machine frame, in principle the machine cannot be expanded or converted into a different machine type without great effort and complexity. In the case of larger machines, their machine frames are also disassembled for transport and then reassembled, with a complicated connection usually being provided to ensure the functionality of the machine and reliable interaction of the machine components. A way of constructing machines in individual machine modules is also known from the prior art. A machine is composed of different modules, with different modules also being put in at the same place for different functions. However, the structure of the modules is adapted to the relevant function of the built-in components. As a result, the modules form self-contained functional units which can be interchanged with one another.
In a fiber preparation system in a spinning mill, supplied fibers or fiber clusters are prepared for use in a spinning machine. In a fiber preparation system, the fibers to be prepared for spinning pass through a plurality of processing stages.
In a first stage, the fibers are removed from fiber bales in the form of fiber flocks. What are referred to as bale openers are usually used for this purpose. These fiber flocks are transported out of the bale opener by means of pneumatic flock conveyance and, for example, transferred to a downstream cleaning machine. In the further stages, the fiber preparation system also has a sequence of cleaning machines, storage machines and mixing machines through which the fibers or fiber flocks pass. The sequence and design of the fiber preparation machines are adapted to the fibers to be processed and are used for cleaning, mixing, and separating the fiber flocks into individual fibers and making them parallel. The individual machines in a fiber preparation system can be arranged in different ways, this being dependent, inter alia, on the raw material to be processed and the product to be obtained. The structure of the individual fiber preparation machines is also adapted to the raw material to be processed and the product to be obtained. The fiber preparation machines also differ depending on the production level that is to be achieved in fiber preparation. The fiber preparation machines used are, for example, coarse cleaners, fine cleaners, foreign part separators, storage units and mixers as well as carders or cards. Due to the dimensions of fiber preparation machines, it is not possible to construct the entire machine using a stiffened construction that can be transported as a ready-to-use machine. Such a construction is used for draw frames, for example, as described in DE 10 2016 109 535 A1. In contrast, the dimensions of fiber preparation machines far exceed the sizes of the containers usually available for transport.
A simplification of the construction was proposed in GB 591,540 A, in which uniform wall elements are used that are joined together with angle iron. The lateral walls are then stiffened against one another using cross beams and the upper cover metal sheets are attached. Corresponding openings are provided in the lateral walls for the necessary built-in components. Once the machine is constructed, the standardized lateral walls cannot be replaced or changed without endangering the stability of the machine.
The disadvantage of known constructions is that the construction of a fiber preparation machine at its place of use or a later expansion or enlargement or reduction of the fiber preparation machine is complex. Furthermore, in a modular construction known today, the dimensions of the individual modules are adapted to their function due to the formation of modular functional units. This has the disadvantage that no standardized expansion is possible.
An object of the invention is therefore that of providing a device which makes simple construction of machine modules possible and, through its standardization, is conducive to a uniformly modular construction of fiber processing machines. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
A new type of module for a fiber preparation machine is proposed, the module being cuboid and having a length, a width and a height. The module is designed as a self-supporting element and has at least two lateral walls which are spaced apart in width, are arranged in a plane in each case, and are connected to one another by at least one cross beam, the planes of the lateral walls being parallel to one another and the lateral walls being encompassed by a frame in each case. A first leg of the frame is arranged in the plane of the lateral wall in each case and a second leg of the frame is arranged in each case at right angles facing away from the relevant opposite lateral wall. This construction of the individual modules achieves a standardization which allows a simplification in the assembly of the modules. In addition, a stable and self-supporting element is provided which, in its basic structure, can be used for the simple design of a wide variety of modules. The frame stabilizes the lateral walls and it is possible to line up or stack the modules because the frames form a solid contact. A self-supporting element can be understood to mean that the module designed in this way can be moved or lifted without additional reinforcement or an additional transport aid. The module can be gripped at and moved to predetermined positions. A module designed as a self-supporting element is inherently stable and torsion-resistant in such a way that deformations or changes in shape do not occur during transport and assembly.
The frames are at least partly connected to the lateral wall or are partly formed by the lateral wall itself. For example, simple angle irons (isosceles or not isosceles) can be attached to the lateral wall from one side and screwed, welded or glued to said wall. In an alternative embodiment, the lateral wall itself forms the first leg, the second leg being formed by flat steel bars attached orthogonally to the lateral wall. The flat steel bars can be supported against the lateral wall by means of additional ribs. A connection by welding or gluing is recommended. In a further alternative embodiment, an angle iron is not attached to the lateral wall, but rather welded to the outer edge of the lateral wall. The use of U-profiles as a frame is also conceivable. In all variations, additional connecting means or corresponding ribbing can be placed into the lateral wall due to the high loads. The thickness of the lateral wall and the frame is also to be selected on the basis of the provided built-in components or an anticipated surface load. For example, in the case of a built-in roller, a reinforcement of the lateral wall or attached ribs can achieve a uniform introduction of the bearing and drive forces into the lateral wall.
The connection of two lateral walls with at least one cross beam ensures that two lateral walls together with their frame in each case form a module of a certain width. The length and height of a module are determined by the dimensions of the lateral walls or the frame. The length and width of a module can vary from module to module depending on the built-in components or the intended use. For example, a basic module on which the machine is constructed can have a lower height than a module which forms part of a storage unit.
The modules do not necessarily have to be made of a material such as steel. The proposed construction in the form of a self-supporting element makes a combination of materials possible. The lateral walls can be made of plastics material and the frame can be made of steel. In the case of simple end modules that are exposed to a low static or dynamic load, the frame and lateral wall can also be made of plastics material, with the option of an integral design.
The frame is advantageously formed by flat steel bars or an angle iron or a U-profile. The frames are at least partly connected to the lateral wall or are partly formed by the lateral wall itself. For example, simple angle irons (isosceles or not isosceles) can be attached to the lateral wall from one side and screwed, welded or glued to said wall. In an alternative embodiment, the lateral wall itself forms the first leg, the second leg being formed by flat steel bars attached orthogonally to the lateral wall. The flat steel bars can be supported against the lateral wall by means of additional ribs. A connection by welding or gluing is recommended. In a further alternative embodiment, an angle iron is not attached to the lateral wall, but rather welded to the outer edge of the lateral wall. The use of U-profiles to form the frame is also an alternative embodiment. In such a construction, a first leg of the U-profile is placed in the plane of the lateral wall in each case or on the lateral wall, a second leg of the U-profile is arranged at right angles facing away from the relevant opposite lateral wall and a third leg is in turn parallel to the plane of the lateral wall in each case.
In all variations, additional connecting means or corresponding ribbing can be placed into the lateral wall due to the high loads. The thickness of the lateral wall and the frame is also to be selected on the basis of the provided built-in components or an anticipated surface load. For example, in the case of a built-in roller, a reinforcement of the lateral wall or attached ribs can achieve a uniform introduction of the bearing and drive forces into the lateral wall.
The at least one cross beam is preferably formed by an angle iron or a pipe or a metal sheet or a roller. Within the meaning of the application, all built-in components between the lateral walls of a module that connect the two lateral walls are to be understood by the term cross beam. For example, baffle plates which are fastened to an angle iron for a fiber flow can be provided in a module, with the angle iron in turn being held on the lateral walls. Alternatively, the module contains a roller, for example a needle roller for processing fiber material, and the roller is rotatably held in each case in the lateral walls in a bearing. For example, metal sheets inserted between the lateral walls, such as a base plate or a rear wall, are inserted. These elements, such as metal sheets, rollers or supports, are used as cross beams in that they connect the lateral walls of a module to one another and thus define the width of the module. In addition, the built-in components achieve a stability and torsional resistance of the module, which each individual module must have as a self-supporting element for transport and assembly.
It has been shown that when considering the system outputs which are common today, the module preferably has a width of 1,200 to 1,800 mm. The mentioned width is to be understood as the clear width between the lateral walls and as a guide value. Depending on the make or manufacturer, the width of the modules can deviate slightly by less than 100 mm. By restricting the width to only two sizes, a variety of necessary modules can be restricted. This means that modules of the same type can be used several times in different fiber preparation machines, which in turn leads to a reduction in production costs. For example, a base module which has a base plate as well as a rear wall can not only be used for a fiber preparation machine, but can also be used as the bottom corner module for different embodiments of fiber preparation machines. For dimensioning the metal sheet thicknesses for the lateral walls, a range of from 1 mm to 6 mm is preferred, from which an appropriate selection is made depending on the application or built-in components. A rather thicker lateral wall is used for a large number of built-in components.
Advantageously, adjacent modules are the same in width and in height or in width and in length. The width of the modules determines the width of the fiber preparation machine. A more extensive standardization of the length or the height in addition to the uniform width increases the compatibility of the various modules. This has the advantage that when a fiber preparation machine is converted, be it due to necessary expansions or a module replacement to introduce technical innovations, no special modules are necessary, but rather a simple standard version can be used. It has been found that a length of from 1,000 mm to 1,500 mm and a height of from 1,000 mm to 1,500 mm for basic modules and a height of from 350 mm to 1,000 mm for other modules are advantageous in most cases. A length of 1,110 mm and a height of one third (370 mm) or two thirds (740 mm) the length is particularly preferred.
To improve a fiber flow, modules which form a shaft are preferably 50 mm to 100 mm narrower in width than the adjacent modules. This can be achieved by enlarging the frame of these modules accordingly so that they are in turn compatible with the surrounding modules. Alternatively, however, a correspondingly closer arrangement of the lateral walls relative to one another or the insertion of a guide or baffle plate is also possible.
A module provided for installation in a fiber transport direction and thus closing off the fiber preparation machine advantageously has a rear wall. Such a configuration of the corresponding modules means that a casing for the fiber preparation machine is integrated directly into the modules and is unnecessary in the form of a separate component. The same procedure is to be used for modules that close the fiber preparation machine at the top. For these end modules, it is advantageous if a metal cover sheet is integrated into the module so that subsequent roofing of the fiber preparation machine is no longer necessary.
The second leg of the frame is preferably connected to the relevant lateral wall in a dust-tight manner. This design of a connection between the frame and the lateral wall makes it possible to dispense with an additional dust-tight casing for the fiber preparation machine. Likewise, dust-tight storage units or processing rooms can be provided in the fiber preparation machine only by arranging the modules accordingly, and further complex built-in components can be dispensed with. The lateral walls of the modules can also be provided with viewing openings or transparent regions at appropriate points. A dust-tight or, in a further development of the invention, airtight connection between the frame and the lateral wall can be achieved, for example, by continuous welding or by inserting a seal. When produced from plastics materials or composites, a dust-tight connection between the frame and the lateral wall can be achieved by an integral design.
At least one lifting arm is preferably provided for transporting the module. Plates and threaded holes for fastening the lifting arm to the frame of the module are attached to the lifting arm and receptacles are provided for a fork of a forklift truck and/or slings or ropes are provided for transport using a crane. Using a lifting arm that is adapted to the modules avoids damage caused by improper handling of the modules, for example distortion of the modules or bulging at lifting points. The lifting arm spans a module in its length and provides the necessary means for the lifting equipment used. The lifting arm is placed on a module, with the lifting beam resting on the legs of the frame on both sides of the module. The plate is attached to a side of the legs opposite the lifting arm and is screwed to the lifting beam, for example, using eye bolts through openings in the frame. By using a plate, a distribution of the forces in the leg of the frame is achieved. As an alternative to the combination of plates and eye bolts, quick-release fasteners, for example rotary fasteners, can also be used that can be pivoted and secured after the lifting arm has been placed on a module under the leg of the frame of the module. Other types of quick-release fasteners known from the prior art and used in logistics can also be used. The lifting arm is advantageously provided in a lightweight construction having recesses distributed over the length of the lifting arm and provided with handles for easy manual handling.
Furthermore, a fiber preparation machine is proposed made of a large number of modules according to the preceding description, the opposite second legs of the frames of the adjacent modules being connected to one another in each case. Since the individual modules are designed as self-supporting elements, linking or stiffening of the connected modules beyond the connection of the frames is not necessary. Because the modules are only connected to one another via their frames, quick and easy assembly is possible. At the same time, the frame construction achieves a high level of stability for the entire fiber preparation machine. A simple conversion based on this modular design makes it possible to adapt the structure of a fiber preparation machine to its use and to change it in a simple manner if the production conditions change. For example, an increase in production can be achieved by installing additional modules to enlarge a storage of a fiber preparation machine.
A working width of the fiber preparation machine preferably corresponds to the width of a module. Fiber preparation machines are usually flowed through by fiber material in one main direction, and the fiber material is processed within the fiber preparation machine between an inlet and an outlet. Seen in this processing direction, a working width is mentioned. If the width of the modules corresponds to the working width of the fiber preparation machine, this has the advantage that the lateral walls of the modules also represent the lateral delimitation of the fiber preparation machine.
The connection of the opposite second legs of the frames of the adjacent modules is preferably a clamp connection. Alternatively, the connection is a screw connection or a weld connection. A clamp connection which, for example, is also a positioning aid, allows the modules to be installed quickly and easily. In the case of a clamp connection, the two frames are pressed against one another using screw or spring connections and are thus held in their position between clamping elements, a clamping element being able to be formed by the one frame. Alternatively, the frames can also simply be screwed together with threaded bolts or at least partly welded. In addition, a clamp or screw connection can also be secured by additional welding in part.
The clamp connection is preferably designed like a clip with locking connecting elements. In the case of a clip-like connection, devices are provided on each of the frames which engage with one another when they are pressed against one another. By placing a module on a module below or next to it, the connections are activated and the modules are braced against one another. Furthermore, clip connections are also possible, which can be inserted as separate devices through openings provided in the frame of the modules. Clip-like means that two elements can be connected by simply joining the elements together without the need for a further work step such as screwing.
The connection between the second legs of the frames of the adjacent modules is advantageously provided with a seal. By using a seal, a dust-tight space is also possible across modules. A manufacturing inaccuracy in the evenness of opposite frames of different modules can also be compensated for in a simple manner with a seal.
Alternatively, a device having connecting elements for connecting and positioning the modules is provided for the connection, a first module having an opening in its frame for receiving a connecting element and a second module having a fastening hole in its frame as well as two positioning notches which are offset from one another by at least 45 annular degrees around the fastening hole. The connecting element in a first position in the first positioning notch is non-rotatably screwed to the second module in the fastening hole in an assembly position and the connecting element in a second position in the second positioning notch is non-rotatably screwed to the second module in the fastening hole in an operating position. The first module is connected to the second module in the operating position by bracing the frame of the first module between the connecting element and the frame of the second module.
The connecting element is advantageously designed to be conical, a cross section of the connecting element tapering toward the first module. The conical design of the connecting element facilitates mutual positioning of the modules to be connected. This means that additional positioning aids such as positioning pins or inlet brackets can be dispensed with. The opening for receiving the connecting element in the frame of the first module can also be set exactly to the largest cross section of the connecting element, so that the modules can be assembled precisely without having to position the modules with millimeter precision prior to the actual assembly. In this way simple lifting means can be used to assemble the modules. The connecting element is fastened in place on the second module, so that only the narrow part of the conical connecting element has to be inserted into the opening of the first module and then, through the tapering cross section of the connecting element, the first module is guided into the exact position when it is moved closer to the second module.
The positioning notches simplify pre-assembly of the connecting element on the frame of the second module. The connecting element can be screwed to the frame of the second module in the exact position without measuring equipment due to the positioning notch. The positioning notches are preferably designed in the form of recesses or through holes in the frame of the second module. According to the relative position of the positioning notch in relation to the fastening hole, a mating part that fits into the recess is provided in the connecting element. A positioning screw is preferably provided in the connecting element, which screw engages in the positioning notch in the frame of the second module.
An arrangement of the positioning notches offset by 90 degrees has the advantage that an elongate shape is sufficient for the connecting element. Due to the elongate shape of the connecting element, when it is rotated through 90 degrees, an optimal utilization of a contact surface coming to lie on the frame of the first module is achieved.
The connecting element particularly preferably has a rectangular cross section. An approximately rectangular shape has the advantage over an oval or triangular shape, for example, that a ratio of the size of the opening for receiving the connecting element to the contact surface is advantageous after the connecting element has been rotated. The largest possible contact surface is achieved with the smallest possible opening.
In its second position, the connecting element is advantageously provided with a securing device in the form of an adhesive or weld. This prevents loosening of the connection between the two modules due to shocks or operational vibrations of the machine and ensures a secure connection.
For advantageous handling, the connecting elements have an internal thread and a threaded bolt is provided for being fastened in the fastening hole in the frame of the second module. The use of a spring-loaded snap lock is also conceivable. In this case, after the first module has been placed on the second module, the connecting element would be lifted from the frame of the second module against the spring force and, after the rotation, placed on the frame of the first module. The contact pressure and thus the strength of the fastening would in this case be determined by the spring force. Due to possible fatigue of the spring, however, it is preferable to screw the connecting element to the frame of the second module.
To further simplify the assembly or installation of the basic module, it is advantageous if weld nuts are attached to the frame of the second module instead of to the fastening holes and the connecting elements are provided with the threaded bolts in order to install the module on a foundation. If the lowest module is formed by the second module, the connecting element can also be used as a height-adjustable machine base in the proposed construction using a weld nut.
The invention is described below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and explained in more detail with the drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein.
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In the view shown, the simplicity of assembly due to the design of the modules as self-supporting elements can be seen and the options for expanding the mixer 32 can also be understood. For example, to enlarge the mixing chambers, two further modules which contain corresponding chamber walls 36 can be inserted between the modules 9, 10 and the modules 12, 13. It is not necessary to separate the machine frame. Only the connection between modules 9 and 12 and between 10 and 13 needs to be loosened and the newly added modules need to be connected to the existing modules 9, 10 and 12, 13 accordingly. A further mixing chamber can also be provided by inserting further modules between the modules 6, 7 and 9, 10 and 12, 13.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described. Modifications within the scope of the claims are possible, as is a combination of the features, even if these are shown and described in different embodiments.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00211/21 | Feb 2021 | CH | national |
