Patent Application
20240410091
The invention relates to a sliver feeder for textile machines. The invention relates to a vortex nozzle. The invention relates to a service unit. The invention also relates to a method for picking up a sliver in a textile machine. The invention further relates to a textile machine.
Sliver feeders are known in the field of textile machines, in particular spinning machines or twisting machines. Sliver feeders are used to transfer fiber material, which can be presented as sliver in cans, to a spinning device, also known as a spinning station.
The handling of fiber material is a technical challenge, since, on the one hand, the fibers must be held together so that they can be processed, but, on the other hand, they must not be excessively compressed, since this would make further processing more difficult. The handling of many individual fibers in a sliver is only possible in a complex manner at the transfer point to the spinning station of the textile machine. This can lead to failures in the textile machine, for example due to a blocked spinning station, if the fiber material is not transferred to its pick-up section accordingly. Furthermore, failures can occur because the sliver is lost and would have to be picked up again. This costs time and therefore resources.
The object of the invention is thus to improve the handling of fiber material and to increase the quality of a sliver to be transferred, in particular in order to increase process stability and save resources.
The object is achieved by a sliver feeder having the features of claim 1. The object is achieved by a vortex nozzle having the features of claim 7. The object is achieved by a service unit having the features of claim 9. The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 10. The object is achieved by a textile machine having the features of claim 14.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
According to one aspect, the object is achieved by a sliver feeder with the features of claim 1.
A sliver feeder can have at least one pick-up unit and at least one feeder unit. The pick-up unit can be designed and arranged to pick up a sliver and transfer it to the feeder unit. In particular, the feeder unit has a takeover section and is designed and arranged in such a way as to transfer the sliver to a sliver guide, in particular to a pick-up section of a pre-compactor. This can improve the handling of fiber material. Furthermore, the quality of a sliver to be transferred to a sliver guide can be increased. As a result, it is possible to increase process stability and thus save resources.
A section is a dimensionally delimited region of a part or segment of a physical object, such as a component or an element of a component or a device or apparatus.
Fibers are presented in particular in the form of a sliver, wherein the sliver can be a material delivery state. In particular, the fibers are connected to one another, for example purely by mechanical frictional forces within the sliver, in such a way that the sliver does not fall apart by itself and the fibers can be transported. In particular, the sliver is designed in such a way that it can be inserted into a textile machine. The sliver can be designed to be fed to a sliver guide, in particular a pre-compactor.
In particular, a sliver guide is a structure that is designed and arranged to guide a sliver between a can and a spinning station. As a result, the weight load on the sliver, for example due to its own weight, is reduced. As a result, it is less likely in particular that the sliver will tear away from the spinning station or that the sliver will break.
In particular, the sliver guide can be a pick-up section of a pre-compactor. Pre-compactors are apparatuses in a textile machine that can increase the density in a sliver. Pre-compactors can be designed to prepare the sliver and the fibers transported therein for a textile production process, such as a spinning process in a defined manner, wherein the spinning process takes place in particular in a spinning station of a corresponding spinning machine. The pre-compactor is designed to achieve pre-compaction of the sliver before the fiber material of the sliver is fed to a further processing step, such as the spinning process, in which a thread is to be produced from the sliver. In particular, the pre-compaction can be such that the sliver is compressed in a defined manner with respect to the sliver thickness as it passes through the pre-compactor. For this purpose, the pre-compactor can in particular have a sliver guide section that runs in the direction of sliver transport and tapers in a defined manner. The taper can be continuous, in particular edge-free, or discontinuous, for example in steps.
The slivers are fed into a textile machine in so-called cans. A can may be a container that is designed to hold at least one sliver. One sliver end can protrude beyond the rim of a can, in order to be recognized and picked up there by a pick-up unit. Alternatively or additionally, a pick-up unit can also engage in a can in order to pick up the sliver from it. The sliver is stored in cans in particular, which can be designed to be replaceable. The sliver can thus be removed from a can and fed into a textile machine. In order to enable the transition from the can to a sliver guide, such as a pick-up section of a pre-compactor, an apparatus may be required that can carry out the removal from the can.
In particular, a pick-up unit is (such) an apparatus that can pick up a sliver from the rim of a can and/or from a can. This can be effected using a mechanical or electromechanical gripping apparatus, for example. Alternatively, according to a preferred embodiment, a suction apparatus can be provided, as described elsewhere. In particular, the pick-up unit takes over the function of picking up the sliver end from the can.
Embodiments in which the pick-up unit also functions as a feeder unit can be provided. The pick-up unit can not only pick up the sliver, but can also feed it into the sliver guide, such as the pick-up section of the pre-compactor, and thus be structured as a feeder unit. This allows a simpler structure to be implemented, since only one assembly can be provided.
A feeder unit is in particular (such) an apparatus that in particular is arranged and designed to insert a sliver into a feed section of a spinning station, wherein the feeder unit is at least arranged and designed to transfer the sliver to a sliver guide. The feeder unit can be provided in one unit with a pick-up unit, as described above. Alternatively (or additionally for different spinning stations), the feeder unit can form its own assembly, which can be designed in particular in such a way that it has a takeover section that can be positioned relative to the pick-up unit in such a way as to enable takeover from the pick-up unit. The feeder unit and the pick-up unit can face one another in a transfer position in such a way that the transfer can be effected in a line. In other words, the feeder unit can face the pick-up unit in order to enable the transfer/takeover of the sliver. The feeder unit is furthermore designed in particular to then carry out a movement in order to bring the sliver into the vicinity of the feed section of a spinning station in order to enable a transfer to the spinning station. The feed section of the spinning station, in particular a sliver feed for feeding the sliver to a downstream spinning station that spins the thread, and the pick-up section of the feeder unit can face one another. This enables easy transfer and reduces the likelihood of the sliver being lost (in the sense of being dropped) during one of the transfers.
In this and other preferred embodiments, it can be provided that the feeder unit is designed and arranged in such a way that, upon the feeding of the sliver, in particular a sliver end, to the feed section of the spinning station, it threads or inserts the sliver into a sliver guide according to one of the preferred embodiments described.
According to one aspect, the feeder unit can be designed in such a way as to take over the sliver, in particular the sliver end, from the pick-up unit in one station. The takeover section of the feeder unit can be designed as a suction section of the feeder unit, which is in particular oriented parallel to a holding orientation of the pick-up unit, in order to suck in the sliver, in particular the sliver end, in particular in such a way as to take over the sliver or the sliver end directly. As a result, the likelihood of the sliver being dropped is reduced. This increases process stability in particular and thus conserves resources.
In this and other preferred embodiments, a pick-up section can be designed as a suction section. The suction section is formed in particular by the opening of a suction tube, wherein the tube forms a main suction direction that is in particular perpendicular to the opening surface. This can also correspond to a suction flow (in the physical mathematical sense) or coincide with it.
The expression “oriented parallel to a holding orientation of the pick-up unit” can be understood in particular to mean that the orientation can be defined in particular by the main suction direction described above. In particular, this main suction direction is parallel to a transfer direction from the pick-up unit to the feeder unit in a transfer arrangement of the two apparatuses. In particular, both directions can coincide on a common line.
The expression “from the pick-up unit in one station” can refer in particular to a takeover station of the feeder unit relative to the pick-up unit. Alternatively preferred embodiments can be provided, in which the pick-up unit moves towards the feeder unit to impart a transfer of the sliver, in particular the sliver end, to the feeder unit. In one station of the pick-up unit, the feeder unit also assumes a station. In another station of the feeder unit, it can be provided that the feeder unit is located in the vicinity of the pick-up section of the pre-compactor in order to enable a corresponding transfer of the sliver to the pick-up section of the pre-compactor. This results in a transition from one station to the other station and vice versa, in particular by moving the feeder unit and/or the pick-up unit, as described elsewhere. In this way, the pick-up unit can also carry out an alternative or additional movement in order to be able to change from a pick-up position (one station) to a transfer position (other station) and vice versa.
The sliver, in particular the sliver end, can be taken over directly. “Directly” refers to the possibility that, for a period of time, contact of the sliver or the sliver end can be effected both with the pick-up unit and with the feeder unit. In particular, it does not have to be deposited in the meantime in order to carry out a new picking up by the feeder unit. Rather, a transfer is carried out directly, in particular without intermediate stages (and/or without intermediate steps).
According to one aspect, the feeder unit can be designed to perform a movement (as previously alluded to) in order to transfer the sliver to a feed section of a spinning station and/or a pick-up section of a pre-compactor. The feeder unit and the feed section of the spinning station can be oriented in such a way that the sliver is curved upon transfer. In particular, this enables a reproducible transfer. In particular, this also enables an easy-to-travel path for the feeder unit between a (first) station/position of the feeder unit to the pick-up unit and another (second) station/position of the feeder unit to the spinning station. In particular, the transfer to the feed section of a spinning station, in particular to a rotor or air-jet spinning station, can be effected.
The movement can be a rotational movement of a feeder unit; alternatively or additionally, an entire assembly can rotate about at least one axis. As a result, the feeder unit can change between the positions described above (also referred to as stations), in which it undertakes a takeover of the sliver, in particular the sliver end, from the pick-up unit in one position/station (also, positioning) and carries out a transfer of it to a pick-up section of the pre-compactor and/or feed section of the spinning station in another station.
Here and elsewhere, takeover and transfer are in particular used relative to the assembly just described. As an example, the transfer or delivery from the pick-up unit to the feeder unit is to be understood at the same time as the takeover or pick-up of the feeder unit from the pick-up unit. Thus, the assemblies and apparatuses can also take on the different roles of pick-up unit and dispensing unit or transferring unit and takeover unit.
A curvature of the sliver is designed in particular in such a way that the sliver is oriented in one (first) orientation in the suction section of the feeder unit, while the sliver is oriented in another (second) orientation in the feed section of the spinning station. The two orientations of the sliver can be mirrored in relation to one another on one axis, in particular a vertical axis. The sliver curves through the mirror plane, in particular upon the transition from one orientation to another. As a result, a firm and controlled transition in particular is effected. In particular, the feed section of the spinning station is designed as a sliver feed section, for example in the form of a feed roller, such as a supply roller of a rotor spinning machine or an input roller of a pair of input rollers of a drafting system of an air-jet spinning machine.
According to one aspect, at least one preparation apparatus, in particular a whirling nozzle, further in particular at least one separating nozzle, can be designed and arranged, in particular in such a way as to pick up a sliver end from the pick-up unit and prepare it for transfer to the feeder unit. This is done in particular by preferably carrying out at least one of the following functions, cutting the sliver end and/or sharpening the sliver end, by the preparation apparatus. As with a pencil, sharpening means reducing the thickness of the sliver up to the free end of the sliver, in particular by compressing the fibers and/or reducing/thinning out the number of fibers. In other words, starting from the free end of the sliver, the sliver thickness increases continuously in the direction of extension of the sliver until the sliver thickness of the sharpened region corresponds to the sliver thickness of the section of the sliver immediately adjacent to it and merges into it. As a result, the sliver can be prepared in order to handle the fibers more easily upon transfers/takeovers, as a result of which process reliability is increased and the transition is optimized.
There may be preferred embodiments that combine the aforementioned aspects and embodiments with a preparation apparatus as described herein. In other preferred embodiments, such as with other pick-up units or other feeder units, the preparation apparatus as described herein can also be used. The preparation apparatus is used in particular to take over a sliver end from the pick-up unit and prepare it for transfer to the feeder unit (or for transfer from the feeder unit to the spinning station). As a result, regardless of the structural and functional design of the feeder unit, the pick-up unit or the feed section of the spinning station and/or the pick-up section of the sliver guide, in particular the pre-compactor, as described herein, and of their relative positions in different stations as described herein, a preparation of a sliver end can be enabled in order to enable a stable transfer and to reduce the likelihood of any damage to the sliver or loss of the sliver. As a result, it is possible to increase process reliability and use fewer resources.
A sliver end is, in particular, a free end of the sliver with which it can be inserted into the feed section of the spinning station or with which it can be picked up or is picked up in the suction section of the feeder unit.
According to a preferred embodiment, a separating nozzle can function as a preparation apparatus. In particular, it can be provided that a sliver end can be severed in order to obtain a new, “fresh” sliver end. As a result, damaged fibers can be removed in order to reduce the risk of breakage in a subsequent thread production process. Separating can be achieved in particular by applying a vacuum. A section behind the free end of the sliver is pulled apart in such a way that the sliver end is severed from the sliver and removed. However, separating can also comprise cutting the sliver, in particular by means of a cutting tool.
Alternatively or additionally, a sharpening of the sliver end can be provided, with which the fibers taper towards the end and the diameter of the sliver decreases towards the sliver end. For this purpose, pressurized fluid nozzles can be provided within the preparation apparatus, which generate a conical compression of the fibers towards the sliver end by means of a pressurized fluid jet. As a result, the sharpened sliver end described above can be formed.
According to a preferred aspect, the pick-up unit can have a negative pressure sensor, which is designed and arranged in particular in such a way that sliver monitoring can be carried out. The negative pressure sensor can be designed and arranged to monitor a negative pressure prevailing in the pick-up unit in order to be able to initiate a further sliver search based on a threshold value if necessary. As a result, it can be determined whether the sliver has been successfully transferred to the feeder unit or whether the sliver has been lost.
The sliver monitoring can be used in particular to determine whether a sliver has been picked up accordingly. It can be provided that a defined series of work stations can be traversed by a sliver feeder of the type described here in a textile machine. This can be enabled, because the described sliver feeder is arranged on a service unit, as described elsewhere. The work stations can in each case have a can, a feed section of a spinning station associated with the respective work station and/or a pick-up section of a pre-compactor. By means of the pick-up unit or a different monitoring device, such as a sensor or camera, the sliver feeder can ascertain wherein a pick-up of the sliver has been effected. In the event of a plurality of unsuccessful attempts at a work station (the number can be predefined, but can also be adjusted), the sliver feeder can move to the next work station and ignore one work station, mark it as unsolved or abort its journey and issue a warning to call an operator. The actions described can also be carried out if the sliver is repeatedly lost (here as well, the number of repetitions can be set or predefined).
Alternatively or additionally preferably, the feeder unit can have a negative pressure sensor. As a result, a successful transfer of the sliver to the feeder unit can be determined, as can a loss of the sliver.
The negative pressure sensor can monitor the negative pressure upon sliver monitoring in order to initiate a further sliver search based on a threshold value. The threshold value can be defined as a number of unsuccessful attempts. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the threshold value can represent a negative pressure level (negative pressure level or strength of the negative pressure), from which it is possible to derive whether a sliver has been picked up.
According to a preferred aspect, a holding apparatus for the sliver can be provided, in particular arranged on the pick-up section of the sliver guide, in particular of the pre-compactor, or on a support frame of the work station, wherein the holding apparatus is further preferably arranged upstream of the pick-up section in the direction of sliver transport. In particular, the holding apparatus has at least one of the following structures:
A placement structure, in particular a placement hook or a placement eyelet, can be provided in order to support the sliver against its own weight, in order to thereby reduce the tension along the direction of gravity on the sliver, in particular on the fibers in the feed section of the spinning station and/or the pick-up section of the sliver guide, in particular of the pre-compactor. As a result, the probability of fiber damage can be reduced. Furthermore, the probability of the tearing off of the sliver can be reduced. It is also possible that the sliver is guided in this way. Alternatively or additionally, the placement structure can be designed and arranged in such a way as to restrict, in particular limit, movement of the sliver away from the machine, in particular in a lateral direction (i.e., towards the longitudinal side of the machine). As a result, the guidance of the sliver into the feed section of the spinning station and/or into the pick-up section of the sliver guide, in particular the pre-compactor, can be improved.
A guide structure can be provided, which is designed and arranged in particular in such a way as to enable lateral guidance at least in the direction of one side of the sliver, in particular in the direction of one side of the sliver in the longitudinal direction of the textile machine (i.e., towards a front-end or back-end side of a textile machine or in the direction of an adjacent work station). In other words, the swing-out of the sliver can be limited parallel to the longitudinal side of the textile machine. As a result, lateral tensile forces can be reduced, which improves the guidance of the sliver and can reduce the likelihood of fiber damage. The guide structure can be part of the sliver guide, in particular the pre-compactor. Preferably, the guide structure is designed and arranged to transfer the sliver into the pick-up section of the pre-compactor and, at the same time, to limit it laterally. According to a preferred embodiment, the guide structure can at least partially or completely laterally delimit the pick-up section. Accordingly, the guide structure is arranged at least partially or completely adjacent to the pick-up section parallel to the direction of sliver guidance. Both the guide structure and the pick-up section can be arranged and/or designed on a surface of a plate-shaped carrier element, for example in the form of a front plate or cover plate.
Furthermore, an anchoring structure can preferably be provided between the pick-up section and the placement structure. The anchoring structure can form a boundary for the sliver parallel to the longitudinal side of the textile machine. In a preferred manner, the anchoring structure forms with the pick-up section and the placement structure a pick-up region that is at least partially delimited by the latter, in particular a U-shaped or C-shaped pick-up region, into which the sliver can be inserted or fed by the feeder unit via the open side and can also be removed. In particular, the guide structure preferably connects the pick-up section to the placement structure, as a result of which the placement structure undergoes an anchoring. In other words, the design can be such that the anchoring structure is arranged on and supported by the pick-up section, wherein the placement structure is arranged on and supported by the anchoring structure and thereby anchored. The connection between the structures can be form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner. The anchoring structure is preferably designed as a rod-shaped carrier element.
According to a preferred embodiment, an at least partially movable blocking structure (also referred to as a blocking apparatus) can be arranged and designed to interact with the placement structure, in particular on the anchoring structure and/or the sliver guide, in such a way that, in a first state, a moving out of the sliver out of the region of the placement structure is blocked and, in a second state, the placement structure is accessible for inserting the sliver. The blocking structure can preferably be formed by a blocking element, such as an eyelet and/or a hook. Alternatively, the blocking structure is preferably formed by a rod-shaped blocking element. The blocking structure can be movably mounted on at least one joint. In particular, the blocking structure can be movably mounted on the joint in such a way, wherein in particular the movement takes place in a direction parallel and/or antiparallel to the movement direction of the feeder unit. The direction of the movement can have at least one vector component, which can be effected to one side of the work station and/or the textile machine. The joint can preferably be arranged on the placement structure or connected to it. The joint can also preferably form part of the placement structure.
In this or other preferred embodiments, the blocking structure can be moved into an open position by means of an interaction, for example with the feeder unit. It can be provided that the blocking structure moves back into the blocked position, in particular independently, for example by means of a return spring, which is arranged and designed in particular in such a way that it interacts with the joint for resetting. The return spring can also preferably be arranged in the joint. The blocking position can be the home position. As a result, active monitoring of the position in an operation can be eliminated, which simplifies the structure.
In order to realize the described advantages and effects, the sliver, in particular the sliver end, can be inserted into the pick-up region of the placement structure for a transfer from the feeder unit to the pick-up section, in particular the pick-up section of the pre-compactor. Here, the term “for a transfer from the feeder unit to the pick-up section (of the pre-compactor)” refers to the possibility of carrying out a threading into the pick-up section of the placement structure (temporally) prior to the transfer to the pick-up section (of the pre-compactor) or, alternatively, after the transfer to the pick-up section (of the pre-compactor).
According to a preferred embodiment, the anchoring structure, the placement structure, the blocking structure and the pick-up section are designed and arranged in such a way that they circumferentially delimit the pick-up region for the sliver in a circumferential direction of arrangement of the structures and the pick-up section by at least 75% and further preferably circumferentially in a range from 95% to 100% inclusive. The feeder unit is arranged and designed to feed the sliver to the pick-up region via interaction with the movable blocking structure, so that the sliver can be transferred to the placement structure.
According to a preferred embodiment, the holding apparatus can be a single component, which can optionally be arranged in the path of the sliver (also referred to as the sliver path) between the can (also referred to as the spinning can) and the sliver guide, in particular on a frame of the work station or the textile machine. Here, a work station can be the point at which a spinning station can be arranged. The production of bobbins for winding a spun thread onto a bobbin, in particular a cross-wound bobbin, can also be effected in a work station. Further preferably, the sliver guide with the holding apparatus can be formed from a single component and arranged in the sliver path between the can and the spinning apparatus. A single component is understood to mean a component that, in each case, is joined together or formed in a material-fitting manner from the same material or, alternatively, preferably from different materials.
The pick-up section of the sliver guide, in particular of the pre-compactor, can be a region that can be located directly/immediately in front of the section of the sliver guide that guides the sliver in a contacting manner. The sliver can be inserted or placed at or into the pick-up section.
According to a further independent aspect, the object of the present invention is achieved by a nozzle body having a vortex nozzle, wherein the nozzle body is designed for a sliver feeder, in particular according to one of the embodiments described. The vortex nozzle is designed to be arranged in the nozzle body, in particular in a non-destructively replaceable manner. Alternatively, the vortex nozzle can be arranged to be fastened in the nozzle body. The arrangement can be in such a way as to pick up a sliver end from the pick-up unit and prepare it for transfer to the feeder unit, in that at least one of the following functions can be performed: a severing of a previous sliver end to form a new sliver end or a sharpening of the sliver end to form a sharpened sliver end, as described above by way of example. As a result, the advantages and effects described in particular with regard to the sliver feeder can be realized. Reference is made here in particular to the comments made elsewhere. As a result, the sliver or the sliver end can be prepared in particular in order to be able to handle the sliver or the sliver end more easily upon transfers/takeovers, in order to thereby increase process reliability and optimize the transition.
With regard to severing and/or sharpening, reference is made to the comments made elsewhere. These continue to apply accordingly with regard to the vortex nozzle described here. Thus, the separating nozzle described elsewhere can be a vortex nozzle.
The vortex nozzle has a cavity in which a vortex can be formed. In particular, the vortex can be designed in such a way that at least one set of vectors of a vortex vector field has a component that is parallel to a component of the cavity wall in a direction of circulation. In other words, a vortex is formed, which is at least partially parallel to the cavity wall. In particular, the cavity wall has a circular and/or oval cross-section.
The vortex nozzle can be designed in such a way that it is replaceable. In particular, the vortex nozzle can be designed in order to be removed from a nozzle body or inserted into a nozzle body. As a result, the design of the vortex nozzle, and in particular its ability to form a vortex, can be easily adapted to the sliver material.
According to one aspect, the vortex nozzle has a pressurized fluid nozzle. The pressurized fluid nozzle is designed and arranged in such a way that a pressurized fluid flow can be introduced into the cavity of the vortex nozzle, in order to generate a pressurized fluid flow vortex in the cavity. As a result, the sliver end can be prepared in a defined manner in order to be able to handle the sliver or the sliver end more easily upon transfers/takeovers, in order to thereby increase process reliability and optimize the transition.
The pressurized fluid nozzle can be connected to at least one pressurized fluid supply from a pressurized fluid source, in order to subject the pressurized fluid nozzle to a pressurized fluid flow. In particular, the pressurized fluid nozzle is designed and arranged in such a way as to introduce a pressurized fluid flow with at least one vector component parallel to an inner cavity wall along a circuit. The pressurized fluid nozzle can be arranged in a direction that has at least one vector component pointing in a tangential direction to the direction of circulation of the cavity inner wall. The direction in which the pressurized fluid nozzle intersects the cavity inner wall in order to blow the pressurized fluid flow into the cavity can be at an angle to the tangential direction. In particular, compressed air, dry air and/or nitrogen and mixtures thereof can be used as the pressurized fluid.
The direction in which the pressurized fluid nozzle intersects the cavity inner wall in order to introduce the pressurized fluid flow into the cavity, in particular to blow it into the cavity, is in particular a main flow direction from a cross-section of the pressurized fluid nozzle into the cavity interior.
The object is also achieved according to an independent aspect, in particular by a service unit. A pick-up unit and an intake apparatus with a suction section can be arranged on the service unit, which are assigned to one another in such a way that a section of a sliver with a sliver end of a sliver held by the pick-up unit can be at least temporarily and at least partially sucked into the suction section of the intake apparatus. The section of the sliver to be sucked in can preferably be the sliver end. A flow section in the service unit can be arranged downstream of the suction section and designed in such a way as to form a suction flow at the suction section of the intake apparatus. At least one filter can be arranged in the flow section, wherein the service unit and the filter are preferably designed to arrange the filter to be removable from the flow section. As a result, a separate intake apparatus can be provided for filtering the pressurized fluid flow sucked in, in particular an air flow, in particular after a severing of the sliver end, wherein fiber residues adhere to the filter. Thus, the intake apparatus remains free of fiber residues, which can improve the service life of the intake apparatus. The service unit and/or the intake apparatus can be equipped with a monitoring unit, in particular a pressure fluid sensor, for monitoring the pressure fluid flow and/or the pressure value in a region between the filter and the intake apparatus and/or in the region of the intake apparatus. In the event of a deviation from a threshold value, conclusions can be drawn about the clogging of the filter with fiber material, so that the filter can be cleaned in the event of defined clogging, in particular by removal. For this purpose, the monitoring unit can preferably be communicatively connected to an alarm unit in order to emit an alarm signal, in particular visually, optically, or haptically, upon a deviation from the threshold value. For example, the alarm unit can be visibly arranged on the service unit and designed to emit a visual alarm signal. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the alarm unit can be integrated into a mobile device, such as a smartwatch, a tablet, a laptop, or the like, or arranged on it, and designed to emit the alarm signal visually, haptically, and/or acoustically.
Usually, the service unit can be a unit that can be moved along the work stations of the textile machine and is suspended from a support frame of the textile machine. Preferably, the service unit has a connection structure, for example in the form of a roller unit, by means of which the distance between the service unit and the support frame can be reliably maintained. As a result, vibrations of the service unit when traveling along the work stations are prevented and a reliable guidance of the service unit is ensured. In particular, the roller unit has a roller that is arranged and designed to be able to be rolled along a roller guide on the support frame of the textile machine. The roller is connected to a frame of the service unit via a roller holder. Preferably, the roller unit is arranged in a lower region of the service unit on the side of the service unit facing the support frame. As a result, the distance between the roller holder and the roller can be kept to a minimum, as a result of which the roller unit can be designed with reduced installation space.
Alternatively, the service unit can be a robotic unit—such as a robotic vehicle—such as an AGV (automated guided vehicle) or AMR (autonomous mobile robot), which can move independently or autonomously in a known manner within a plant in which the textile machine is arranged.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sliver feeder can be arranged on the service unit, in particular as described elsewhere. In particular, the sliver feeder can be arranged in a lower region (lower section) of the service unit, provided that the service unit is the service unit suspended from the support frame of the textile machine and movable along the textile machine. In particular, the sliver feeder can be arranged below the service unit. As a result, the sliver feeder can be moved along the textile machine by means of the service unit. The pick-up unit can be moved from one can to another can in order to, in each case, automatically remove a sliver from a can or from a rim region of the can and transfer it to the feeder unit for feeding in, as described elsewhere. Through the arrangement of the sliver feeder below the service unit, the pick-up unit can be moved closer to the cans arranged or set up below the spinning stations, in order to facilitate the picking up of the sliver.
According to a preferred embodiment, a read-out unit for reading out a memory and/or a code is arranged on the service unit or the sliver feeder. In particular, the read-out unit is arranged and designed to read out a memory attached to a can, such as RFID or a chip, or code, such as a line and/or barcode, and to provide the read-out information to an evaluation unit for evaluation. The stored and readable information can be information about the sliver material deposited in the can, which has been assigned to a work station for processing. Reading out this information by the read-out unit and providing it to the evaluation unit enables the checking of whether the correct sliver material has been assigned to the work station for the production of a predetermined thread of defined quality, for which a specific sliver material is required. The evaluation unit can preferably be communicatively connected to a control and/or regulation unit, which controls the sliver feeder in a defined manner. In this way, upon the evaluation that a wrong or incorrect sliver material has been assigned to the work station for the production of the predetermined thread, the evaluation unit of the control and/or regulation unit can provide corresponding information. The control and/or regulation unit is furthermore designed in particular to control the sliver feeder in view of this information, in such a way that the sliver feeder does not undertake a feeding of the sliver from the can to the spinning station of the work station. In this way, it can be avoided that the work station processes a wrong or incorrect fiber material for the production of the predetermined thread, as a result of which rejects and faulty production can be minimized.
The object is also achieved according to an independent aspect by a method for picking up a sliver in a textile machine. In particular, the method comprises the step of picking up a sliver section by a pick-up unit. Alternatively or additionally, the method has the step of transferring a sliver, in particular a sliver end, from the pick-up unit to a feeder unit. Alternatively or additionally, the method comprises the step of transferring the sliver, in particular the sliver end, from the feeder unit to a pick-up section, in particular a pre-compactor, and/or to a feed section of the spinning station.
The definitions, technical effects and advantages previously given with regard to the apparatus continue to apply accordingly with regard to the picking up of a sliver section by a pick-up unit. In particular, the sliver section is picked up by the pick-up unit in such a way that the pick-up unit picks up a sliver section that differs from a free sliver end in order to be able to transfer the free sliver end section. Alternatively, preferably, the pick-up unit can pick up the sliver end. Thus, the method can be described accordingly by the features of the apparatus. The same applies to the description of the apparatus by the features, effects, and advantages shown with regard to the method. This also applies accordingly to the transfer of a sliver from the pick-up unit to a feeder unit and to the transfer of the sliver from the feeder unit to a feed section of a spinning station and/or a pick-up section of a pre-compactor.
According to one embodiment of the method, a sliver monitoring system can be provided. A negative pressure sensor can monitor a negative pressure and initiate a further sliver search based on a threshold value.
With regard to the “sliver monitoring,” as well as with regard to the monitoring of a negative pressure and the initiation of a further sliver search based on a threshold value, the definitions set out accordingly with regard to the apparatus, the effects described, and the advantages that can be realized in this respect also apply accordingly to the method. Both categories can be described by the definitions, effects, and advantages of the other category. The same applies to the system of the textile machine.
Furthermore, one embodiment of a described method can provide for a separating, in particular a cutting, of the sliver end. Alternatively or additionally, the sliver end can be sharpened to form a sharpened sliver end.
With regard to the “separating, in particular cutting, of the sliver end,” as well as with regard to the “sharpening of the sliver end,” the definitions given accordingly with regard to the apparatus, the effects described, and the advantages that can be realized in this respect also apply accordingly to the method. Both categories can be described by the definitions, effects, and advantages of the other category.
According to an independent aspect, a method can be provided with which, in particular, the step of separating the sliver end (severing a sliver end to produce a new sliver end), in particular cutting the sliver end, is provided. Alternatively or additionally, a sharpening of the sliver end can be provided to form a sharpened sliver end. As a result, the advantages and effects as described with regard to the embodiments described elsewhere, which implement the corresponding method steps, can also be transferred to other methods for feeding the sliver.
According to one embodiment of the methods described, the step of inserting the sliver into a holding apparatus can be provided. A sliver can be placed on a placement structure of the holding apparatus for transfer to the feed section of the spinning station and/or to the pick-up section of the pre-compactor. Alternatively or additionally, the sliver can be inserted into a guide structure of the holding apparatus.
Here, the definitions, effects, advantages, and features, in particular with regard to “inserting into a holding apparatus,” the holding apparatus, the “transfer to the feed section of the spinning station and/or to the pick-up section of the pre-compactor” and the placement structure, along with the guide structure of the holding apparatus, as explained elsewhere, continue to apply accordingly.
According to an independent aspect, the object is achieved by a textile machine that has, in particular, a sliver feeder according to one of the preferred embodiments described elsewhere. Alternatively or additionally, the textile machine can have a nozzle body with a vortex nozzle, as described elsewhere. Alternatively or additionally, the textile machine can have a service unit, as described elsewhere. Alternatively or additionally, the object is achieved in particular by a textile machine that is designed and configured to carry out one of the methods described elsewhere.
In particular, the textile machine can be a rotor or air-jet spinning machine, for which the sliver feeder can be designed. With the rotor or air-jet spinning machine, the transfer of the sliver to the feed section (also referred to as the sliver feed) of the spinning station of the rotor or air-jet spinning machine is effected after being threaded into the holding apparatus. In particular, the sliver feed has a controllable, driven roller for controlled feeding of the sliver. The roller can (but does not have to) be installed upstream of a pre-compactor, as described elsewhere. The roller can be a supply roller, for example, which, with the rotor spinning machine, is responsible for feeding the sliver to the spinning device. Alternatively, the roller can be an input roller of a pair of input rollers of a drafting system, which, with the air-jet spinning machine, is responsible for feeding the sliver to the spinning device. A pre-compactor can (but does not have to) be installed upstream of the pair of input rollers, as described elsewhere.
In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to figures, showing schematically and by way of example:
The same reference signs are used for elements and structures having the same effect and/or of the same type.
In textile machines 600, a sliver 135 can be presented in order to spin the thread in a spinning station 465 of the work station 620. Therefore, such textile machines 600 can be so-called spinning machines. Rotor spinning machines can be provided as spinning machines, as shown here as an example. Alternatively, an air-jet spinning machine (not shown) can also be provided. The sliver 135 can be transferred to the textile machine 600, but this can be effected fully automatically or at least semi-automatically. For this purpose, the sliver 135 can be delivered in a so-called can 630, presented in a can 630, or an empty can 630 can also be exchanged for a filled can 630 in order to deliver the sliver 135 for a work station 620. Textile machines 600 can also consist of a whole series of (homogeneous) work stations 620, as shown in
In order to enable the transfer from the can 630 to a pick-up section 460 of a pre-compactor 445, a sliver feeder 100 for a textile machine 600 can be used (per work station). Alternatively, a service unit 900 can be provided, on which a sliver feeder 100 is arranged, as described elsewhere. The service unit 900 can move (freely) along the textile machine 600 between the work stations, for example to insert a sliver 135 into a spinning station 465. A sliver feeder 100 is shown in schematic representation in sections in
An exemplary embodiment of a feeder unit 300 is shown in its function in
The pick-up unit 110 is used in particular to pick up the sliver 135 from a can 630 in order to be able to transfer this sliver 135 to the feeder unit 300. In particular, the feeder unit 300 has a takeover section that is formed and arranged in such a way as to transfer the sliver 135 to a pick-up section 460 of a pre-compactor 445.
The feeder unit 300 can be further designed in such a way that it can take over a sliver 135, in particular the sliver end 140, from the pick-up unit 110 in one station. The feeder unit 300 shown in
In order to be able to subject the suction section 310 to a negative pressure, tube systems 450 can be provided, which in particular have a plurality of segments 452, 454, 456. The suction tube 320 of the feeder unit 300 (in particular independently of the tube systems 450) can be designed to be bent, in particular carry out a bending of substantially 90°, in order to transition from a supply region, in which it is connected to a feeder unit holder 340, into the substantially parallel orientation between the suction direction 350 and the holding orientation 180 of the pick-up unit 110. The suction nozzle 120 of the pick-up unit 110 can have a suction direction that deviates from a parallel orientation (not shown here due to perspective; the suction direction extends into the plane of the sheet). However, the sliver 135 that is sucked in, which the pick-up unit 110 may have picked up, can be transferred to the holding orientation 180 in order to be sucked in by the feeder unit 300, in particular in this direction (and thus parallel to the suction direction 350 of the feeder unit 300).
A rotation mechanism 480 (see also
In particular, the pre-compactor 445 can prepare a sliver 135 for picking up in the feed section 462 of the spinning station 465. A pick-up direction of the feed section 462 of the spinning station 465 can in particular be antiparallel to an orientation direction of the sliver 135 or the sliver end 140. For this reason, in particular a folding over of the sliver 135 or the sliver end 140 arises upon the transfer to the feed section 462 of the spinning station 465. In other words, the feeder unit 300 is designed to perform a movement 365, in particular a rotational movement, in order to transfer the sliver 135, in particular the sliver end 140, to a pick-up section 460 of a pre-compactor 445 and/or a feed section 462 of a spinning station 465, wherein the sliver 135, in particular the sliver end 140, undergoes a curvature upon the transfer to the feed section 462 of the spinning station 465.
The sliver end 140 is shown in
In order to better prepare the sliver 135 for takeover by a feeder unit 300 and/or by a pick-up section 460 of a pre-compactor 445, at least one preparation apparatus 201, in particular at least one separating nozzle 200, can be provided, as shown by way of example in
The preparing can comprise at least one of the following functions (also to be understood accordingly as steps of an associated method), which can be performed by the preparation apparatus 201:
The previous sliver end 140 can be severed, in particular cut off or severed from the sliver 135 by the suction through the suction apparatus of the feeder unit 300. As a result, a severing or a cutting of the sliver is effected in such a way as to form a new sliver end 140a. As a result, impurities or damage can be removed and a clean, undamaged sliver end 140a can be presented for the further method steps.
An exemplary separating nozzle 200 is shown in a schematic representation in a detailed view in
As also shown in
In particular, the nozzle body 220 can have a suction section 260. This suction section can form a laminar flow in the cavity 240 in order to suck the sliver end 140 into the cavity 240. A rim 286 can be designed to be beveled in order to discharge a laminar flow from the surrounding area as free as possible from vortices or to discharge an eddy current into the surrounding area as free as possible from vortices. A recess 288 can be formed and arranged so as to arrange and screw the sleeve 230 onto the nozzle assembly 210, in order to thereby arrange and fasten the insertable vortex nozzle 205 in the nozzle body 220. The pressurized fluid nozzles 280 can merge into or be arranged in a surface structuring 289, in order to support vortex formation and to support the pressurized fluid flow into the cavity 240. In particular, the surface structuring 289 itself can run in a vortex shape in the cavity 240.
As shown in
Alternatively or additionally, in particular temporally after a severing 520 of an old sliver end 140, a sharpening 530 of the sliver end 140 to form a sharpened sliver end 140b can be effected. In addition to the suction section 260, pressurized fluid nozzles 280 can also be provided in the cavity 240. In particular, these pressurized fluid nozzles 280 can be arranged and oriented in such a way as to be able to produce a rotational pressurized fluid screw in the cavity 240. As a result of the rotation of the pressurized fluid that can be initiated in this way, the fibers 130 can be arranged conically in the suction direction (even without suction; in the direction of the rear part of the cavity 240) and the sliver end 140 can taper conically towards the sharpened sliver end 140b. The rotation of the pressurized fluid can also twist the fibers 130 relative to one another, which can increase the stability of the sliver end 140. Compressed air, dry air, and/or nitrogen and mixtures thereof can be used as the pressurized fluid.
In contrast, a pick-up position (not shown) can be provided, with which the pick-up unit 110 can be oriented in particular largely downwards, in particular vertically downwards, in order to pick up the sliver 135 from a can 630 that can be arranged in particular below the work station 620.
The pick-up unit 110 can have a negative pressure sensor 160, which is in particular designed and arranged in such a way as to carry out sliver monitoring. The negative pressure sensor 160 is designed and arranged to monitor a negative pressure in the suction nozzle 120 of the pick-up unit 110 in order to initiate a further sliver search based on a threshold value. As a result, the pick-up unit 110 can ascertain whether a sliver 135 has been picked up, or whether the sliver 135 has been lost, or whether a search should be continued.
Additionally or alternatively, a guide structure 410 can be provided, which can also form a sliver guide 446 of the pre-compactor 445 to a cover plate. Through this, the movement of the sliver 135 in the direction of the textile machine length from the front end to the back end (longitudinal direction; alternatively in the direction of the immediately adjacent work stations) can be restricted. In particular, the sliver 135 has been inserted into the holding apparatus 400a prior to a transfer from the feeder unit 300 to the pick-up section 460 of the pre-compactor 445.
In particular, a placement structure 420 is formed with a joint 425 in order to arrange a blocking apparatus 435 rotatably about the joint. In one state, the blocking apparatus 435 can limit a lateral movement of a guided sliver 135 to the side (in a front view). As a result, the sliver 135 can in particular no longer slip laterally from the support region of the further holding apparatus 400b. The feeder unit 300 and/or the sliver 135 can establish contact with the blocking apparatus 435 upon threading, wherein the feeder unit 300 and/or the sliver 135 carried by the feeder unit 300 can rotate the blocking apparatus 435 about the joint 425, wherein a distance between the blocking apparatus 435 and the guide structure 410 can be increased in order to thread the sliver 135 into the further holding apparatus 400b and the pre-compactor 445. After the release of the sliver 135 by the feeder unit 300 after threading, the blocking apparatus 435 can return to the initial position (as shown in
The cavity 240 of the vortex nozzle 205 can in particular be connected to the waste tube 250 via the suction section 260. In particular, this is connected via a tube system 450 to a flow section 915 in a leg 610 via an inlet opening 275. The inlet opening 275 is arranged in particular in a partition wall 278. In particular, the partition wall 278 separates the flow section 915 in the leg 610. In particular, the flow section 915 is designed to guide a flow between the inlet opening 275 and an exhaust apparatus 920. In particular, a filter 950 can be arranged in the flow section 915 in such a way that the flow guided by the flow section 915 penetrates the filter in order to clean the flowing fluid of fibers and fiber fragments. The filter 950 can be inserted into a filter holder 958 through a slide-in unit 955 so that it can be removed and thus replaced. The slide-in unit 955 can be inserted into the filter 950 in particular at an angle between 20° and 70°, further in particular between 35° and 55°, further in particular at an angle of 45°, relative to a main flow direction and/or relative to a tangential direction to the leg 610.
The method 500 can comprise a step of sliver monitoring. A negative pressure sensor 160 can monitor a negative pressure and initiate a further sliver search based on a threshold value, as described in detail elsewhere, see in particular
The method 500 can comprise a step of severing 520 a previous sliver end 140 to form a new sliver end 140a, as previously described with reference to
Independent of the previous descriptions of the method 500, a method 500 can be provided that can comprise one of the steps of severing 520 a previous sliver end 140 to form a new sliver end 140a, as previously described with reference to
The methods 500 can further comprise a step of inserting into a holding apparatus 400a, b, in particular a holding apparatus 400a as described with reference to
A textile machine 600, as shown by way of example in
An exemplary structural image of an embodiment of a pick-up unit 110, in the step of picking up 510 (see also the exemplary schematic representation of a method 500 in
In
A severing 520 of a sliver end 140 takes place in particular by a suction into the cavity 240 pulling a part of a sliver end 140 into the cavity 240, while the pick-up unit 110 can be moved further away from the vortex nozzle 205 in a particularly horizontal position. The sliver 135 is separated in a region of the sliver end 140. As a result, a new sliver end 140a can be formed, as shown in
In
In
In particular, the feeder unit 300 is connected to a suction line 1150. As a result, a suction flow can be effected at a suction section 310 of the feeder unit 300, as a result of which a takeover of the sliver 140 into feeder unit 300, as described elsewhere, is possible.
In
“Can” in particular refers to optional features of the invention. Accordingly, there are also developments and/or exemplary embodiments of the invention which additionally or alternatively have the respective feature or the respective features.
From the combinations of features disclosed in the present case, isolated features can also be taken as needed and used by resolving a structural and/or functional relationship possibly existing between the features in combination with other features for delimiting the subject matter of the claim.
284 Exterior wall
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 504418 | Jun 2023 | LU | national |
