Patent Grant
11702770
The present invention relates to a spinning machine with a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations, each of which comprises a spinning device, impingeable with vacuum, for manufacturing a thread, and a suction nozzle, impingeable with vacuum, for seeking a thread end on a package. A first suction system, which comprises at least a first vacuum duct extending along the workstations of the spinning machine and at least a first vacuum source, is provided, wherein the spinning devices of the workstations are connected to the first suction system. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for operating this type of spinning machine, in which the spinning devices of the workstations are acted upon with vacuum by means of a first suction system.
At spinning machines, such as, for example, rotor spinning machines or air-jet spinning machines, a suction system is always present, which supplies the spinning devices at the individual workstations with vacuum. Moreover, vacuum is required at spinning machines for various types of maintenance work, such as, for example, seeking a thread after a thread break by means of a suction nozzle or storing a thread during piecing by means of a thread storage nozzle. Vacuum is also often necessary for cleaning processes and further maintenance operations.
In spinning machines, in which the workstations are serviced by one or multiple displaceable service unit(s), the suction nozzle and the thread storage nozzle are arranged in the displaceable service unit(s). If one of the spinning stations is to be serviced, the service unit positions itself in front of the relevant spinning station and docks at a machine-long vacuum duct extending above the spinning stations. As a result, the individual service devices of the service unit can be supplied with vacuum. In these types of machines, only a single spinning station can be simultaneously serviced or pieced by one service unit, however. Bottlenecks with respect to the vacuum supply therefore rarely occur in these types of machines.
In modern spinning machines, however, service units are often arranged directly at the spinning stations, and so these can automatically carry out the thread seeking as well as the piecing after a thread break. A suction nozzle, a thread storage nozzle, and/or other working elements impingeable with vacuum are arranged at every individual spinning station in this case.
DE 10 2005 036 485 A1 describes, for example, a spinning machine of this type, which is designed as a semi-automated rotor spinning machine. If, in the case of spinning machines of this type, a maintenance operation that requires suction is carried out simultaneously at multiple spinning stations, it is often the case that a sufficient vacuum level can no longer be made available. DE 10 2005 036 485 A1 therefore proposes arranging a second vacuum source in the machine, which can be manually connected, as necessary. It is at the discretion of the operator when it is necessary and when it is not necessary to connect the second vacuum source. Therefore, an optimal vacuum level cannot always be made available.
DE 10 2007 053 467 A1 therefore provides an open-end rotor spinning machine, in which the second vacuum source is automatically connected, as necessary. The second vacuum source is to be regulated according to the vacuum demand of the suction nozzles. According to one embodiment of DE 10 2007 053 467 A1, the suction nozzles of each side of the machine are connected to a separate vacuum duct, which is connected to the suction system of the spinning machine. When a package change is necessary at one of the spinning stations, the drive of the second vacuum source is automatically activated by the central control unit of the spinning machine, and so the suction nozzle can be supplied with an increased vacuum level.
A problem addressed by the present invention is that of further improving the vacuum supply of the spinning stations of a spinning machine with workstation-specific suction nozzles.
The problem identified above is solved with the aid of the features of the independent claims. 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 spinning machine contains a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations, each of which comprises a spinning device, impingeable with vacuum, for manufacturing a thread, and a suction nozzle, impingeable with vacuum, for seeking a thread end on a package, and at least a first suction system, which comprises at least a first vacuum duct extending along the workstations of the spinning machine and at least a first vacuum source. The spinning devices of the workstations are connected to the first suction system.
It is provided that the spinning machine comprises at least one second suction system, which comprises at least one second vacuum duct extending along the workstations of the spinning machine and at least one second vacuum source, wherein the suction nozzles of at least one first partial number of the workstations, preferably of all workstations, are connected to the second suction system, and that the at least one first suction system and the at least one second suction system are pneumatically completely disconnected from one another.
In an appropriate method for operating a spinning machine with a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations, each of which comprises a spinning device, impingeable with vacuum, for manufacturing a thread, and a suction nozzle, impingeable with vacuum, for seeking a thread end on a package, the spinning devices of the workstations are acted upon with vacuum by means of a first suction system.
It is provided that the suction nozzles of at least one first partial number of the workstations are acted upon by vacuum by means of a second suction system, wherein the first suction system and the second suction system are operated pneumatically independently of one another.
Due to the fact that the spinning machine comprises at least two suction systems, which are completely pneumatically disconnected from one another, the suction nozzles can be supplied completely independently of a main vacuum for the spinning devices. Therefore, sufficient vacuum is still available for seeking the thread even when the first suction system is overloaded, for example, due to a plurality of operations and/or connected vacuum consumers. Such a situation can occur, in particular, during a restart of the machine or during the start of a yarn lot when multiple lots are loaded. Due to the second suction system, the suction nozzles can nevertheless carry out the thread search at other workstations and the found thread end can be made available for the subsequent piecing process. The piecing can then take place as soon as sufficient vacuum is available again in the first suction system. Downtimes of the machine and/or of individual spinning stations can be reduced as a result, and, thereby, production can be increased. The suction systems, which are pneumatically disconnected from one another, can also be provided separately on each longitudinal side of the spinning machine. Two first suction systems and two second suction systems would be present in this case. It is also conceivable that further, pneumatically separated suction systems are provided for further vacuum consumers.
With respect to the method, it is therefore also advantageous when the suction nozzles of all workstations are acted upon by vacuum by means of the second suction system. As a result, the suction nozzles can be supplied, completely separately from the spinning devices, with a higher vacuum level, which can preferably also be adjusted separately.
Moreover, it is advantageous when the first suction system is impingeable and/or acted upon by a first vacuum level and the second suction system by a second vacuum level. Preferably, the second vacuum level is higher than the first vacuum level. As a result, only the second suction system, which supplies the suction nozzles, needs to be operated with the higher vacuum level, while the first suction system can be supplied, energy-efficiently, with a lower vacuum level. It is also conceivable, however, that the second vacuum level is lower than the first vacuum level, or that both are at the same level. This can be established, for example, in an application-specific manner, wherein the vacuum levels can also be adjusted differently at different times.
It is therefore advantageous when the first suction system and the second suction system are adjustable, preferably regulatable, independently of one another and/or are adjusted, preferably regulated, independently of one another in the method. The two suction systems each comprise, for this purpose, a separate vacuum source, which are each provided with a separate drive. As a result, the vacuum level in each suction system can be adjusted to the demand required at the time, which contributes to the energy-efficient operation. In principle, it would also be conceivable, of course, to drive both vacuum sources by means of a common drive. The different pressure levels can be implemented in this case by different compressed air sources or by a drive having different rotational speeds.
Moreover, it is advantageous, in addition, when each of the workstations comprises a working element impingeable with vacuum, in particular a thread storage nozzle, wherein the working elements of the workstations are connected to the first suction system. The working elements impingeable with vacuum generally require less vacuum, and so it is sufficient to connect these to the first suction system, which also supplies the spinning devices. It would also be conceivable, however, of course, to connect the working elements impingeable with vacuum to the second suction system or to temporarily assign one of the two suction systems to these working elements depending on the demand and availability. Working elements, impingeable with vacuum, of the workstations worth mentioning are, in particular, thread nozzles, which handle the thread during piecing, and/or suction nozzles, which remove thread pieces or trash. The thread nozzles include the aforementioned thread storage nozzles as well as thread-capturing nozzles.
It is also advantageous when each of the suction nozzles and/or each of the working elements impingeable with vacuum, in particular thread storage nozzles, are/is individually disconnectable from the suction system assigned thereto by means of a shut-off device. It is also advantageous with respect to the method when the suction nozzles and/or the working elements impingeable with vacuum are disconnected from the suction system assigned thereto by means of a shut-off device when they are not in operation. The suction nozzles as well as the working elements impingeable with vacuum are only temporarily required for carrying out certain service actions. These can be shut off by means of the shut-off device when they are not required, and so they are not unnecessarily acted upon by vacuum.
It is also advantageous when each of the suction nozzles and/or each of the working elements impingeable with vacuum are/is optionally connectable to the first suction system or to the second suction system by means of the shut-off device. With respect to the method, it is advantageous when, at at least one further partial number of the workstations, the suction nozzle(s) for seeking the thread end is/are disconnected from the second suction system and is/are connected to the first suction system. Even though the suction nozzles and/or the working elements impingeable with vacuum are connected, in principle, to one of the two suction systems, they can also be connected, as a result, at least temporarily, to the particular other suction system. For example, it is conceivable that only one low vacuum level is required for seeking the thread, in certain applications. In this case, the suction nozzles at at least one partial number of the workstations can also be connected to the first suction system with the lower vacuum level and, as a result, operated more energy-efficiently. It is also conceivable, for example, when multiple workstations are to be pieced simultaneously, to temporarily connect the working elements impingeable with vacuum, in particular the thread storage nozzles, in this case to the second suction system. The temporary connection of the suction nozzles and/or of the working elements impingeable with vacuum to one of the two suction systems can preferably also take place in a yarn lot-related manner.
It is also advantageous with respect to the method when the suction nozzles for seeking the thread end are optionally connected to the first suction system or to the second suction system as a function of the type of thread that is manufactured. This can also take place in a yarn lot-related manner, as mentioned above.
It is also advantageous, when the spinning machine is loaded with multiple lots, when the workstations of the first partial number and/or the workstations of the further partial number process the same yarn lot. In other words, for example, the suction nozzles of a partial number of workstations that process a first yarn lot can be connected to the first suction system and the suction nozzles of a further partial number of workstations that process a second yarn lot can be connected to the second suction system.
It is also advantageous when the shut-off device is designed to comprise multiple ducts, wherein the shut-off device is connected to the first suction system via a first duct and to the second suction system via a second duct. For this purpose, the shut-off device can contain, for example, a sliding valve or a turning valve. Alternatively, the two ducts of the shut-off device can also be disconnectable independently of one another by means of two separate shut-off elements.
Moreover, it is advantageous with respect to the method when the first vacuum level and/or the second vacuum level are/is increased at the beginning of the search for the thread end. As a result, the thread seeking can be carried out particularly reliably and, once the thread has been found, can be switched to an energy-efficient, lower vacuum level in order to hold and handle the thread.
Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments.
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.
In the following description of the exemplary embodiments, features that are identical or at least comparable with respect to their design and/or mode of operation are provided with identical reference numbers. Moreover, these are explained in detail only at their first mention, while only the differences from the previously described exemplary embodiments are discussed in the subsequent exemplary embodiments. Moreover, for the sake of clarity, often only one or only a few of several identical components and/or features is/are labeled.
Each of the workstations 2 comprises a workstation-specific suction nozzle 5 for seeking a thread end traveling on the package 6 after a thread break or also after a cleaning step. If the suction nozzle 5 has sought and sucked in the thread end, it can be transferred to further handling units of the workstation 2, which can operate mechanically or pneumatically, to be pieced again. The workstation 2 comprises, as handling units, for example, working elements 16 impingeable with vacuum, such as thread storage nozzles, thread-catching nozzles, and the like. In the present case, a workstation-specific thread storage nozzle is shown as an example of a working element 16 impingeable with vacuum. During piecing, temporary excess lengths of the thread generally arise, which result during start-up due to different rotational speeds of the working elements of the workstations 2, in particular of the take-off device 28 and of the winding device (not represented). These excess lengths can be taken up by means of the thread storage nozzle. The workstations 2 can comprise further working elements 16 impingeable with vacuum, for example, thread-catching nozzles, which are required during the piecing of the thread 4, or suction nozzles for removing thread pieces or trash at the workstation 2.
To supply the workstation 2 with vacuum, the spinning machine 1 comprises a first suction system 7 and a second suction system 10. Vacuum is required during the regular operation for the spinning devices 3 and during the piecing for the spinning devices 3, the suction nozzles 5, and the thread storage nozzles represented here by way of example as a working element 16. The vacuum is also required at different times during the piecing. For example, initially only the suction nozzle 5 requires vacuum, in order to seek the thread end, while the spinning device 3 requires vacuum only after the thread end has been found. The thread storage nozzle also requires vacuum only after the thread end has been found.
In order to supply these suction nozzles 5 and the further working elements 16 impingeable with vacuum in an optimal way with a vacuum at the optimal level, the two suction systems 7, 10 are pneumatically completely separated from one another. The first suction system 7 comprises at least one first vacuum duct 8, which extends along the workstations 2. The first vacuum duct 8 is acted upon by a first vacuum source 9, which is connected to the first vacuum duct 8 via a first waste collection box 13. The second suction system 10 also comprises a second suction duct 11, which extends along the workstations 2 and is acted upon by a second vacuum source 12 via a second waste collection box 14. A filter 23 is arranged in each of the two waste collection boxes 13, 14, in order to filter out fibers and thread pieces carried along with the air. In the present example, a first drive 25 is assigned to the first vacuum source 9 and a second drive 26 is assigned to the second vacuum source 12. It would also be conceivable, however, to provide a common drive 25, 26 for the two vacuum sources 9, 12.
In the present example, the first vacuum duct 8 as well as the second vacuum duct 11 extend across the entire length of the spinning machine 1 and/or the entire plurality of workstations 2. It also lies within the scope of the invention, however, that the first suction system 7 comprises multiple first vacuum ducts 8, which each extend across only a portion of the workstations 2 and are acted upon by multiple first vacuum sources 9. The same also applies, of course, for the second suction system 10. It is also conceivable that multiple first suction systems 7 and/or multiple second suction systems 10 are present, which are pneumatically independent of one another. For example, at a spinning machine 1, the two longitudinal sides of the spinning machine could be acted upon by vacuum separately from one another. In this case, a first vacuum system 7 and a second vacuum system 10, i.e., four vacuum systems 7, 10 in all, would be present on each of the two longitudinal sides. Mixed forms are also conceivable, of course, for example, with two separate first vacuum systems 7 for the negative pressure for spinning, but a common second suction system 10 for the suction nozzles. More than the two aforementioned vacuum systems for further vacuum consumers can also be present.
The spinning devices 3 of all workstations 2 are connected to the first suction system 7. According to the present representation, the suction nozzles 5 of all workstations 2 are also connected to the second suction system 10 and/or, here, to the second vacuum duct 11. Advantageously, the vacuum level pU2 of this second vacuum system 10 is set considerably higher than the vacuum level pU1 of the first suction system 7. As a result, a high efficiency of thread seeking can be achieved without unnecessarily affecting the spinning conditions in the spinning devices 3. Since, in the present case, the second vacuum source 12 has a separate, second drive 26, an optimal second vacuum level pU2 can also be set manually or automatically and, if necessary, also regulated by a separate regulating unit in each operating condition and/or also in the case of a different number of presently active suction nozzles 5.
According to the present exemplary embodiment, the thread storage nozzles of all workstations 2 are connected to the first suction system 7. This is apparent, in particular, in
As is also apparent from
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is therefore also possible not to connect all suction nozzles 5 of all workstations 2, but rather only the suction nozzles 5 of a first partial number 21, to the second suction system 10. The suction nozzles 5 of the second partial number 24, however, can be connected to the first suction system 7. This can be dependent, for example, on the position of the particular workstation 2 within the machine, since the vacuum level pU1, pU2 is usually higher close to the vacuum sources 9, 12 than at a greater distance therefrom. The partial numbers 21, 24 can also be connected to the first suction system or to the second suction system in a lot-specific manner. This can also take place temporarily or in an alternating manner, as explained with reference to
The present shut-off device 17 is designed with multiple ducts for this purpose. The shut-off device 17 is connected to the first suction system via a first duct 19 and to the second suction system 10 via a second duct 20. Each of the ducts 19, 20 is disconnectable by means of a separate shut-off element 18.
The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment that has been represented and described. Modifications within the scope of the claims are also possible, as is any combination of the features, even if they are represented and described in different exemplary embodiments.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2020 110 993.8 | Apr 2020 | DE | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3842579 | Bartling | Oct 1974 | A |
| 3952492 | Miyazaki | Apr 1976 | A |
| 4891933 | Raasch | Jan 1990 | A |
| 4920739 | Raasch | May 1990 | A |
| 5694756 | Lindner | Dec 1997 | A |
| 20140283496 | Stahlecker | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20170350042 | Pohn | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2130684 | Jan 1973 | DE |
| 100 17 209 | Oct 2001 | DE |
| 10233572 | Mar 2003 | DE |
| 10 2005 036 485 | Feb 2007 | DE |
| 10 2007 053 467 | May 2009 | DE |
| 10 2016 110 147 | Dec 2017 | DE |
| 10 2016 117 316 | Mar 2018 | DE |
| 102016117316 | Mar 2018 | DE |
| 3246279 | Nov 2017 | EP |
| WO 2008043408 | Apr 2008 | WO |
| WO-2017081573 | May 2017 | WO |
| Entry |
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| German Patent Office Search Report, dated Feb. 26, 2021. |
| EPO Search Report, dated Sep. 14, 2021. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210332506 A1 | Oct 2021 | US |
