Patent Application
20210032781
The present invention relates to a spinning machine, in particular an open-end spinning machine, comprising a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations, which each include a spinning device to which a process vacuum can be applied, comprising at least one vacuum duct extending along the workstations for supplying the spinning devices with the process vacuum, and comprising at least one service unit, which is displaceable along the workstations and includes at least one pneumatic working element and at least one vacuum line for supplying the pneumatic working element with vacuum.
Open-end spinning machines comprising displaceable service units are known from the prior art. The service units generally comprise multiple working elements, which can carry out various service tasks at the individual spinning stations, such as a package change, rotor cleaning, piecing after a thread break or after a package change, and the like. The service units and/or their working elements must therefore be supplied with electrical energy, with vacuum, and/or with compressed air depending on the design of their working elements. Various systems for supplying the working elements of the service units with vacuum have become known.
From DE 102 05 786 A1 it is known, for example, to arrange a vacuum source for the service unit in the form of a vacuum pump directly on the displaceable service unit. The vacuum pump has a correspondingly high space requirement and a correspondingly high weight, which must always be carried along with the service unit. If numerous working elements of the service unit must be supplied with vacuum, moreover, the output of such a vacuum pump, which is displaceable with the service unit, may possibly not be sufficient.
Spinning machines have therefore gained acceptance, which, in addition to their regular vacuum system, which provides the process vacuum, comprise one further vacuum system, which supplies vacuum to the service unit. Such a spinning machine is shown in DE 10 2004 038 697 A1. The spinning machine comprises a first ventilator for this purpose, which applies vacuum to a first vacuum duct, via which the workstations of the spinning machine are supplied with process vacuum. A second vacuum duct extends above the spinning machine, which is acted upon by a second ventilator, via which the service unit is supplied with vacuum. The vacuum supply of the machine is therefore complex.
Spinning machines are being manufactured to an increasing extent, however, which comprise so-called autonomous workstations, which can carry out the necessary service actions predominantly automatically with the aid of working elements arranged at the spinning stations. A displaceable service unit is still necessary for the package change, however. DE 101 39 078 A1 proposes, with respect to such a machine, to dispense with a vacuum supply for the service unit. In this case, the service unit merely provides an auxiliary thread for piecing. The further tasks are carried out by workstation-specific working elements. There are still cases, however, in which service actions must be carried out by a displaceable service unit.
The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that of ensuring the vacuum supply of the service unit in an easy way.
The problem is solved with the aid of a device and a method having the features of the independent claims.
A spinning machine, in particular an open-end spinning machine, comprising a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations, which each include a spinning device to which a process vacuum can be applied, comprises at least one vacuum duct extending along the workstations for supplying the spinning devices with the process vacuum. Alternatively or additionally, the workstations can also comprise a suction nozzle to which a process vacuum can be applied. For example, on air-jet spinning machines, such a suction nozzle at each workstation is associated with a drafting system. In the case of rotor spinning machines comprising so-called autonomous workstations, on the other hand, suction nozzles are frequently provided at the workstations, in order to seek a thread end, which is to be newly pieced, on a delivery bobbin. Moreover, the spinning machine comprises at least one service unit, which is displaceable along the workstations and which includes at least one pneumatic working element and at least one vacuum line for supplying the pneumatic working element with vacuum. It is provided that the spinning devices each comprise a closeable connection opening, which is connected to the process vacuum. Alternatively or additionally, the suction nozzles can also each comprise such a closeable connection opening. Moreover, the service unit comprises a suction head, which can be advanced toward the connection opening of the spinning devices and/or the suction nozzles and which is connected to the vacuum line. The closure of the connection opening can take place with the aid of a cover element or also only with the aid of a valve.
In a method for supplying a pneumatic working element of a service unit of a spinning machine with vacuum, the spinning machine comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations, which each include a spinning device to which a process vacuum can be applied and/or include a suction nozzle to which a process vacuum can be applied. The service unit is displaceable along the workstations. With respect to the method, it is therefore provided that the working element is supplied with process vacuum with the aid of a suction head of the service unit, wherein the suction head is advanced toward a closeable connection opening of the spinning device and/or the suction nozzle.
In contrast to the prior art, the vacuum supply is therefore now brought about with the aid of the vacuum system, which is present anyway and which provides the process vacuum. The structural outlay for such a spinning machine is therefore substantially less and the spinning machine can be manufactured substantially more cost-effectively. All that is necessary are connection openings at the individual spinning devices or suction nozzles, which can be introduced into a housing of the spinning device in a structurally simple way. It is also possible to utilize existing openings as connection openings.
The supply of the service unit with the process vacuum via a connection opening arranged at the workstation is advantageous, in particular, in the case of spinning machines including autonomous workstations. These machines require vacuum only for a few service actions. The vacuum can therefore be withdrawn easily and in a sufficient quantity directly at the spinning device, without adversely affecting the vacuum system of the machine.
It is advantageous when the spinning device is designed as a rotor spinning device comprising a rotor housing. This type of vacuum supply can be particularly advantageously utilized at a rotor spinning machine. It is also conceivable, however, to supply the service unit of a friction spinning machine with vacuum in this way.
Alternatively, it is also advantageous, however, when the spinning device is designed as an air-jet spinning device comprising a spinning chamber to which the process vacuum can be applied. In this case, the maintenance unit can be supplied with vacuum via a connection opening of the spinning device close to the spinning chamber or also via a connection opening of a suction nozzle.
Moreover, it is advantageous when the connection opening is an opening of the rotor housing that is closeable with the aid of a cover element. With respect to the method, in the case of a spinning device designed as a rotor spinning device comprising a rotor housing, the working element is therefore advantageously supplied with process vacuum via an opening of the rotor housing. The rotor housing comprises an opening anyway that is closeable with the aid of a cover element and that allows for the cleaning of the spinning rotor, the replacement of the spinning rotor, and the cleaning of the rotor housing itself. During the spinning operation, this opening is closed with the aid of the cover element. Therefore, no additional components are necessary in order to supply the service unit with the vacuum, and so this can be brought about particularly easily and cost-effectively.
It is also advantageous when the suction head is movable out of a neutral position into a working position in order to be advanced toward the connection opening. As a result, the service unit can easily move along the workstations, without this resulting in the risk of collisions with the suction head. In addition, as a result, the suction head can then be advanced exclusively toward the particular connection opening when vacuum is also actually needed. An unnecessary opening and closing of the connection openings when the service unit passes by can be avoided as a result.
It is also advantageous when the suction head in the working position completely covers the connection opening, in particular the opening of the rotor housing. As a result, the connection opening can be particularly easily sealed toward the outside, so that vacuum losses are avoided.
In order to seal the connection opening, in particular the opening of the rotor housing, toward the outside in the working position of the suction head, it is advantageous when the suction head cooperates with a sealing element of the spinning device. In particular, this is advantageous when the connection opening is the opening of the rotor housing, since this is usually provided with a sealing element anyway, which cooperates with the cover element of the rotor housing during the operation of the workstation.
With respect to the method, it is therefore advantageous when the connection opening is sealed toward the outside with the aid of a sealing element, in particular with the aid of a sealing element of the connection opening, during the supply of the working element with the process vacuum.
Alternatively, it is also possible, however, that the suction head comprises a sealing element, which seals the connection opening toward the outside and/or, in the case of the method, the connection opening is sealed with the aid of a sealing element of the suction head during the supply of the working element with the process vacuum. In this way, it is conceivable, for example, that the sealing element of the spinning device is not arranged at the rotor housing, but rather at the cover element. In this case, it is advantageous to equip the suction head with a sealing element. Moreover, it is also advantageous to equip the suction head with a sealing element when a connection opening is provided that differs from the opening of the rotor housing that is present anyway. In this case, every single connection opening then does not need to be provided with a sealing element; instead, it is sufficient to arrange a single sealing element at the suction head. If, for example, the connection openings are provided in the suction nozzles, it would be conceivable to arrange the sealing element at the suction head.
It is also advantageous when the suction head comprises a centering element, with the aid of which the suction head can be centered with respect to the connection opening. The connection of the suction head to the connection opening as well as the sealing toward the outside are facilitated as a result. The centering element can be easily designed, for example, as a centering cone, which can be introduced into a cylindrical connection opening.
Moreover, it is advantageous when the suction head comprises a cover element, which covers a spinning rotor arranged in the rotor housing in the working position of the suction head. As a result, the spinning rotor is protected against damage by the suction head and against contamination and fiber fly, which can result during individual service actions. With respect to the method, it is also advantageous when the spinning rotor is covered by a cover element of the suction head during the supply of the working element with the process vacuum.
It is particularly advantageous when the pneumatic working element is a sliver feeding device or at least one component, in particular a suction tube, of a sliver feeding device. Sliver feeding devices are known from the prior art, which, after a breakage or a changeover of the fiber material fed to the spinning device, pick up a sliver end from a can and feed it to the feed device or to the drafting system of the spinning device again. With respect to the method, it is advantageous when a sliver end is picked up and fed to a feed device or to a drafting system of the spinning device with the aid of the pneumatic working element.
In contrast to many other service actions, such an application of the sliver is a comparatively rarely carried-out service action, and so it can be reasonably and economically carried out by a displaceable service unit. In this case, it is also advantageous when, as mentioned at the outset, all or at least a better part of the further service actions are/is carried out by working elements of the individual workstations themselves.
It is also advantageous when the cover element comprises a passage opening, which, in the working position of the suction head, connects the vacuum line of the service unit to a suction opening of the rotor housing. As a result, it is possible to also convey materials through the suction head with the vacuum flow. In this way, for example, in the case of a sliver feeding device, a detached sliver piece can be easily guided, via the vacuum line and through the passage opening of the suction head, into the connection opening, and can be disposed of via the vacuum duct. If the connection opening is the opening of the rotor housing, the detached sliver piece can be sucked past the rotor into the vacuum duct, without getting tangled at the rotor or contaminating the rotor. For this purpose, the cover element completely covers the spinning rotor. Preferably, the cover element nearly completely fills the rotor housing and leaves only the passage opening exposed.
With respect to the method, it is therefore advantageous when the picked-up sliver end is trimmed before being fed to the spinning device, in particular to a feed device or a drafting system of the spinning device, wherein a detached sliver piece arises.
Moreover, it is advantageous in this case when the detached sliver piece is extracted via the suction head and the connection opening and is disposed of.
With respect to a rotor spinning machine, it is particularly advantageous when the detached sliver piece is extracted via the opening of the rotor housing and a suction opening of the rotor housing and is disposed of. The suction opening of the rotor housing is present anyway, in order to apply vacuum to the rotor housing and is usually also provided with a valve anyway, so that the vacuum supply can also be shut off.
Alternatively, it is possible, however, not to dispose of the detached sliver piece via the suction head and the connection opening, but rather to deposit it in a collection container. For this purpose, for example, the detached sliver piece can be deposited in a collection container with the aid of the pneumatic working element or possibly with the aid of a further handling element, which does not necessarily need to be pneumatic.
Preferably, multiple detached sliver pieces are initially gathered in the collection container.
In order to dispose of the detached sliver piece or the multiple collected sliver pieces, it is advantageous when this or these are transported to a machine end. The detached sliver piece(s) can be deposited, at the machine end, for example, in an empty can, or are transferred to a transport vehicle. In this case, it is possible to transport a detached sliver piece directly to the machine end. It is also possible, however, to transport multiple sliver pieces, which have been gathered in the collection container, gathered from time to time, to the machine end. The transport to the machine end can take place, for example, with the aid of a trash conveyor belt, which is present anyway.
According to one further advantageous embodiment of the method, the detached sliver piece is fed to a trash conveyor belt, in order to dispose of it. Directly after the trimming, the sliver piece can be deposited onto the trash conveyor belt with the aid of the pneumatic working element or, possibly, also one further handling element. It is also conceivable, however, to feed multiple sliver pieces, which have been gathered in the above-described collection container, jointly to the trash conveyor belt from time to time.
Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. Wherein:
In the following description of the figures, the same reference numbers are utilized for features that are identical or at least comparable in each of the individual embodiments or the individual figures. Some of the features are therefore explained only upon the first mention thereof or only once with reference to a suitable figure. Provided these features are not explained once more separately in connection with the further features, their design and/or mode of operation correspond(s) to the design and mode of operation of the identical or comparable, described features. For the sake of clarity, in the case of multiple identical features or components in a figure, only one feature or only a few of these identical features is/are labeled.
In order to spin the sliver 25, the spinning device 3 requires a process vacuum PU, which is supplied to the individual workstations 2 via a vacuum duct 8 extending along the workstations 2. The process vacuum PU is applied to each of the spinning devices 3 through a tap line 9 branching off from the vacuum duct 8.
The spinning machine 1 shown in the present case is designed as an open-end spinning machine, specifically as a rotor spinning machine in this case. The invention is also usable, however, with other spinning machines 1 that require a process vacuum PU for the spinning process. Friction spinning machines and air-jet spinning machines, in particular, are conceivable. An air-jet spinning machine is shown in
Moreover, the spinning machine 1 comprises a service unit 12, which is displaceable along the workstations 2 and includes at least one pneumatic working element 13 and at least one vacuum line 14 for supplying the pneumatic working element 13 with vacuum. The pneumatic working element 13 can be, for example, a suction tube for picking up a thread end or also a sliver end 27 (see
In order to supply the pneumatic working element 13 with vacuum, it is now provided to supply the pneumatic working element 13 with process vacuum directly via the spinning device 3. For this purpose, a suction head 16 of the service unit 12 is advanced toward a connection opening 15 of the spinning device 5, with the aid of which the pneumatic working element 13 is supplied with process vacuum PU. For this purpose, the connection openings 15 are connected to the process vacuum PU, for example, via one further tap line 9. The suction head 16 of the service unit 12 is connected to the vacuum line 14 for this purpose and can be advanced toward the connection openings 15.
According to the present example, the connection openings 15 are designed as independent openings of the spinning device 3, i.e., they are provided at the spinning devices 3 explicitly and exclusively for the supply of the service unit 12 with vacuum. Alternatively, openings that are present anyway and are connected to the process vacuum PU can also be utilized for supplying the service unit 12, however, as explained with reference to
In the present example, which differs from that shown in
As described above, the service unit 12 comprises a pneumatic working element 13, which is supplied with process vacuum PU via the vacuum line 14 and the opening 18 of the rotor housing 17. In the situation shown in the present case, the cover element 30 has already been swiveled away and the suction head 16 of the service unit 12 has already been advanced toward the opening 18 of the rotor housing 17. In the present example, the suction head 16 is movable from a neutral position I, in which it is arranged in a protected manner in the interior of the service unit 12, into a working position II, in which it has been advanced toward the opening 18 of the rotor housing 17. The movement can take place, in any manner, via a linear movement, a swivel movement, or a combined movement, which can be advantageously brought about with the aid of a pneumatic cylinder (not represented here). As soon as the suction head 16 has been advanced toward the opening 18 of the rotor housing 17 or toward the connection opening 15 and an optionally present valve 33 (not represented here) has been opened, the pneumatic working element 13 can be supplied with the process vacuum PU.
In order to seal the connection opening 15 toward the outside and avoid vacuum losses during the supply of the pneumatic working element 13, the connection opening 15 is sealed with the aid of a sealing element 19. In the present case, the sealing takes place with the aid of the sealing element 19, which is arranged anyway at the opening 18 of the rotor housing 17 and seals the rotor housing 17 in cooperation with the cover element 30 during the operation of the spinning device 3. During the supply of the working element 13 with vacuum, on the hand, the suction head 16 cooperates with the sealing element 19 of the spinning device 3, in order to seal the rotor housing 17. For this purpose, the suction head 16 is placed onto the sealing element 19, for example, with the aid of the above-described pneumatic cylinder(s) or also other actuating units, and is pressed against the sealing element 19.
Moreover, according to the present example, the suction head 16 comprises a centering element 20, in order to correctly position the suction head 16 with respect to the connection opening 15, which is not labeled in
Moreover, the suction head 16 shown in the present case also comprises a cover element 21. This is designed separately from the centering element 20 in the present case and is utilized for protecting the spinning rotor 31 against damage by the suction head 16 and against contamination by materials that may have been drawn in. In the working position II of the suction head 16, the cover element 21 completely covers the spinning rotor 31 and leaves only a narrow passage opening 22 open in an edge area of the rotor housing 17. This allows for the removal of materials, which have been carried through via the vacuum line 14, via the suction opening 32 and the tap line 9 into the vacuum duct 8. The passage opening 22 is formed by a recess of the cover element 21 in the present case.
Of course, the embodiments of the suction head 16 shown in
For this purpose, after the emptied can 24 has been replaced, if necessary, by a full can 24, the service unit 12 is positioned in front of the relevant workstation 2, which is the middle of the three represented workstations 2 in the present case. Thereafter, the cover element 30 is opened, which can take place either with the aid of the service unit 12 or with the aid of the workstation 2 itself. The cover element 30 is not represented here, for the sake of clarity. Thereafter, as described above with reference to
As soon as the suction head 16 has docked to the connection opening 15, the valve 33 can be opened, in order to provide the process vacuum PU to the pneumatic working element 13. In order to seek the sliver end 27, the suction tube or the pneumatic working element 13 is now swiveled back and forth until the sliver end 27 is located and drawn in by the suction tube. In order to facilitate the location of the sliver end 27, when cans 24 are full, the sliver end 27 is usually placed over the edge of the can 24. If the sliver 25 has been torn, a sliver end 27, which is located in the interior of the can 24, must be placed, by an operator, over the edge of the can 24 again. After the sliver end 27 has been picked up by the working element 13, the working element 13 is swiveled again, as indicated by the dash-dotted line, and, as a result, is guided to the feed device 5. Provided a loop-catching means 28 is arranged at the workstation 2, the sliver end 27 can also be placed into the loop-catching means 28 directly with the aid of the pneumatic working element 13.
The sliver feeding device 23 can also comprise multiple pneumatic working elements 13 or also other, non-pneumatic handling units. One or multiple additional working element(s) 13 or handling units can also be present, for example, in order to thread the sliver 25 or the sliver end 27 into the loop-catching means 28. Moreover, it is advantageous when the picked-up sliver end 27 is initially trimmed to a defined length and is thinned out before it is supplied to the feed device 5. The trimming and thinning, as well as the feeding to the feed device 5, can take place with the aid of the pneumatic working element 13, namely the suction tube in this case, as well as with the aid of one further pneumatic working element 13 or one further handling unit.
If the sliver end 27 is trimmed before the feeding to the feed device 5, a detached sliver piece arises. This can be sucked in by the pneumatic working element 13 and drawn into the vacuum duct 8 via the vacuum line 14, as also described above with reference to
After the sliver end 27 has been supplied to the feed device 5 and the detached sliver piece has also been sucked away, if necessary, the valve 33 is closed again and the suction head 16 is moved back into its neutral position I. The cover element 30 of the spinning device 3 is closed and the service unit 12 leaves the workstation 2. The relevant workstation 2 can now restart its regular production.
In the present case, the suction nozzle 38 is arranged at the workstation 2 in such a way that it can be folded away. The suction nozzle 38 is represented in its position during the spinning operation with the aid of solid lines, while the folded-away position is represented with the aid of dash-dotted lines. If the suction nozzle 38 has been folded away, the suction connection 36, which is also provided with a sealing element 19 in the present case, is free and can be utilized as a connection opening 15 for the service unit 12.
Alternatively to the representation shown, it would also be conceivable, however, to utilize the suction connection 36 of the spinning chamber 35 for the vacuum supply of the service unit 12.
The present invention is not limited to the represented and described exemplary embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are also possible, as is any combination of the described features, even if they are represented and described in different parts of the description or the claims or in different exemplary embodiments, provided no contradiction to the teaching of the independent claims results.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2019 120 980.3 | Aug 2019 | DE | national |
